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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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Signatures OK’d On Linkage Fee Ballot Measure

The San Diego County Registrar’s Office has verified 53,107 signatures gathered by opponents of a hike in commercial developer linkage fees recently approved by San Diego City Council. The issue will now go on the June 3 special election ballot unless the City Council votes to rescind the increase.

Signatures gathered by the Jobs Coalition, which consists of local business groups, were turned in to the county registrar on Jan. 22. The group is seeking to overturn the increase in commercial project fees, intended by proponents to finance affordable workforce housing.

Opponents contend the increase — raising current fees by 375 to 750 percent, depending on the type of project — will curtail local development and job creation.

The City Council on Feb. 24 will receive formal notice of the qualified signatures from the city clerk. The council will then have 10 days to decide whether to reverse its decision or put it on the ballot for voters to decide.

The City Council in late 2013 voted 5-4 to approve a measure restoring the linkage fee to 1.5 percent of construction costs, the level when it was established in 1990. The percentage had been cut in half in 1996, and the restored percentage would impact projects receiving final approval after June 30, 2014.

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