AGENDA TITLE:
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Set Public Hearing for November 18, 2026 to Consider Adopting a Resolution Establishing the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan Development Fees For 2027 (CD)
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MEETING DATE:
November 4, 2026
PREPARED BY:
Cynthia Marsh, Deputy Director / City Planner
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Set public hearing for November 18, 2026 to consider adopting a resolution establishing the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan development fees for 2027.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On February 21, 2001, the City of Lodi adopted the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan (SJMSCP). The Plan establishes fees paid by property owners whose proposed non-agricultural development affects covered habitat. The fees fund mitigation for development impacts under the Plan. Participating jurisdictions adopt the fee schedule annually to continue implementing the Plan.
SJCOG, Inc., its consultants, and the Habitat Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC) Financial Subcommittee completed the annual fee analysis using the adopted 2025 five-year financial model update. The model calculates fees from three components: land acquisition (Category A); assessment and enhancement (Category B); and management, monitoring, and administration (Category C).
The proposed 2027 fee for Agricultural and Natural habitat, the most common fee classification, is $22,908 per acre, compared with $17,868 per acre in 2026. This is an increase of $5,040 per acre, or 28.2%.
Table 1. Comparison of Agricultural/Natural Habitat Fees
|
Habitat classification |
Proposed 2027 fee |
Adopted 2026 fee |
Increase |
Percent increase |
|
Agricultural/Natural |
$22,908 |
$17,868 |
$5,040 |
28.2% |
The increase is driven primarily by higher comparable land sale values used in the land acquisition component. SJCOG reports that the Category A component for Agricultural/Natural habitat increased 43.1% to $15,816 per acre. Category B increased 4.2% to $6,444 per acre, and Category C increased 3.38% to $648.18 per acre. The Category B and C updates reflect the applicable California Consumer Price Index adjustment and updated Plan data.
The proposed 2027 fee schedule also sets the per-acre fee at $11,455 for Multi-Purpose Open Space, $97,680 for Vernal Pool uplands/grasslands, and $212,279 for Vernal Pool wetted habitat. SJCOG’s schedule includes separate endowment amounts when a project provides mitigation land in lieu of paying the full development fee.
SJCOG’s materials state that its Board approved the 2027 fees at its September 2026 meeting and requested that participating jurisdictions adopt the schedule for January 1 through December 31, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not applicable