(a) Dedication of park land is more preferred than the payment of Park In-Lieu Fees. Whether the County accepts land dedication or elects to require payment of the Park In-Lieu Fee, or a combination of both, shall be determined by consideration of the following:
(1) Compatibility of land dedication with the Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan, Live Well San Diego Strategic Initiatives and any applicable Community Plan, Subregional Plan, Park Master Plan and/or Specific Plan;
(2) The topography, geology, soils, soil stability, drainage, access, location and general utility of the land proposed for park land dedication;
(3) The size and shape of the land proposed for dedication;
(4) The amount, usability, and location of publicly owned property available for combination with dedicated park lands;
(5) Additional recreation facilities available to future residents of the Subdivision in the form of private parks;
(6) The location of existing and planned parks, recreational facilities, trails, and pathways, including those in neighboring jurisdictions that may be available to future residents of the Subdivision;
(7) The proximity of homes to proposed park land in Subdivisions with village densities, pursuant to the General Plan, should be within one-half (1/2) mile walking distance to all dwelling units or lots;
(8) Form of ownership and financing mechanism for operation and maintenance of land proposed for dedication;
(9) Suitability of the site for visibility, supervision, and maintenance;
(10) Conformance with the Department of Parks and Recreation Park Design Manual; and
(11) Recommendations of the applicable Community Planning or Sponsor Group and the Director.
(b) Grading, drainage, utility and infrastructure improvements may be required for the County to accept land to be dedicated for a public park, in addition to grading, drainage improvements, irrigation and planting required pursuant to Title 8, Division 7 of the Code of Regulatory Ordinances or other authority. The Parks and Recreation Department shall review and approve grading and improvement plans for parcels to be dedicated for public park purposes pursuant to this Chapter, and shall review grading and improvement plans for lots adjacent to such parcels in the Development. The applicant or developer is required to construct the same off-site street improvements and utilities to serve the dedicated park that are required pursuant to the improvement plans for the parcels within the Subdivision. Such improvements and utilities may include curbs, gutters, street paving, traffic-control devices, street trees and landscaping, sidewalks, and pathways, water, sewer, and electric. The off-site street improvements and utilities shall be constructed at the time improvements are constructed for the areas surrounding the park in the development. The improvements required pursuant to this subsection shall not be eligible for credit against the amount of land dedicated or the Park In-Lieu Fee paid. Stormwater facilities improved with PLDO Eligible Recreational Uses may receive fifty percent (50%) credit and combined shall not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the total PLDO requirement, as approved by the Director of Parks and Recreation.
(Added by Ord. No. 10554 (N.S.), effective 1-1-19)