HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Communication from Council Member Senecal1
Gloria Harper
From:Patrick Gallegos
Sent:Monday, February 23, 2026 1:13 PM
To:Executive Team; NGhirelli@rwglaw.com
Subject:Question Regarding Public Hearing Item K (Transportation Development Impact Fee Update)
BCC: CITY COUNCIL
Good afternoon,
Councilmember Senecal provided staff with questions regarding the Public Hearing Item K (Transportation
Development Impact Fee). For your reference, please find the questions and the City’s responses below.
1. The Resolution (page 1) states to impose development impact fees on new development. The note
below notes not exclusive to new development. Do we need to clarify in the resolution the definition
of a development project? Does the fee apply to ADUs?
In the context of the Mitigation Fee Act, “new” development is used to describe both development of new
structures on vacant lots and redevelopment of existing structures. Both result in a new development. In other
words, new structures, new floor space, and new uses may be subject to the fee. The Resolution’s references to
“new development” is broadly intended to apply to all such development and make clear that the proposed fee
does not apply to existing development that does not add square footage or a change of use, which cannot be
charged a fee. Only projects that meet the definition of a “development project,” as outlined in the Municipal
Code and described in my previous email (shown below), may be charged a fee. For that reason, the resolution is
accurate.
In addition, you asked whether the proposed fee would apply to ADUs. Under state law, ADUs of less than 750
square feet are exempt from paying development impact fees, such as the proposed traffic fee. ADUs of 750
square feet or more may only be charged a proportional fee based upon the size of the ADU, although recent
changes to state law have applied this proportionality requirement to all residential development. This is why the
proposed fee is calculated on a square footage basis, rather than a per unit basis.
2. Does the fee apply to STRs? No.
3. The nexus study did not take into account cumulative impacts of housing from boarding cities. In this
case, not a mention of the Lampson housing project that will add a lot of traffic to Lampson, SB Blvd
and Valley View. How do the impact fees work with neighboring cities NEW housing projects that use
the same roads ways? The Transportation Impact Development Fee is not applicable to neighboring
cities.
4. I assume one-time fee at time of permit not annual; but wanted to double check. This is not a
reoccurring fee.
5. Clarity on the proposed traffic impact fee schedule - I don't find a comparison to the current rates vs
proposed. Is there a table to show difference in the proposed fees? A table is prepared below. It
should be noted that residential units (all types) cannot be expressed in dwelling units, therefore, the chart
below assumes a general square footage for a consistent comparison. It should be further noted that the
park impact fee does the same.
Apartment
(DU)
Condo
(DU) SFR (DU) Retail
(SF)
Restaurant
(SF)
Hotel
(room)
Office
(SF)
Other
2
Seal Beach (current) $959.95 $788.72 $1,462.81
$12.24 $9.40
$866.95 $4.15
$1,588.76/PM
peak hour
trip
Seal Beach (max
allowable)* $1,364* Same
as Apt $2,833** $16.36 $25.18 $2,400 $3.26 $300.29/daily
trip
*assumes a MFR is 861 SF to compare with existing rates.
**assumes a SFR is 1,757 SF to compare with existing rates
DU = dwelling unit
6. Is this retroactive to permits that are currently open on projects? Says they are effective on the
60th day following adoption. But how does that work with permits that are in progress prior to the
adoption? No, the impact fee is not retroactive.
7. Page 20 in Nexus study shows Seal Beach (max allowable) residential rates in table. If adopted, does
this mean the new max rate takes effect? Yes.
Thanks,
Patrick Gallegos
Patrick Gallegos, City Manager
211 Eighth Street, Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 431-2527 x 1308
View our: Shoreline RecreaƟon Brochure
Seal Beach follows Civility Principles by promoting courtesy, respectful listening, open mindedness, issue-focused debate,
and embracing respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights and tools for sound decisions. For Information
about Seal Beach, please see our City website: www.sealbeachca.gov
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From: Patrick Gallegos
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2026 11:31 AM
To: Patrick Gallegos <PGallegos@sealbeachca.gov>
Cc: Gloria Harper <gharper@sealbeachca.gov>; Brandon DeCriscio <BDeCriscio@sealbeachca.gov>
Subject: Question Regarding Public Hearing Item K (Transportation Development Impact Fee Update)
BCC: CITY COUNCIL
Good morning,
A question was raised regarding Public Hearing Item K (Consideration of the Transportation Development Impact
Fee Update), specifically whether the Fee applies solely to new development. The Fee does not apply exclusively
to new development. While the Quimby Fee historically applied only to new residential development, the
Transportation Development Impact Fee has a broader application. For purposes of this program, a “Development
Project” is defined as:
3
Development Project:
1. Construction or addition of commercial or industrial floor area that requires a building permit;
2. Construction of residential dwelling units that requires a building permit; and
3. A change of property use that requires a building permit and generates additional daily trips above the
amount reasonably associated with the current use of the property.
Please let me know if you would like any additional clarification before the hearing.
Thanks,
Patrick Gallegos
Patrick Gallegos, City Manager
211 Eighth Street, Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 431-2527 x 1308
View our: Shoreline Recreation Brochure
Seal Beach follows Civility Principles by promoting courtesy, respectful listening, open mindedness, issue-focused debate,
and embracing respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights and tools for sound decisions. For Information
about Seal Beach, please see our City website: www.sealbeachca.gov