Oakland’s contentious impact fee plan is drawing criticism from community groups. Residents in Chinatown are opposed to the fees, calling them inadequate to prevent gentrification.
The city previously tried to balance the interest of developers and affordable housing advocates with a tiered approach charging developers different fees for projects in different neighborhoods, reports the San Francisco Business Times. The money raised would pay for affordable housing.
The latest round of criticism from Oakland’s Chinatown accuses the city of not doing enough to preserve the existing character of the city, Asian Pacific Environmental Network activist Alvina Wong told the paper.
Oakland head planner Rachel Flynn said the appeals process was open to those who disagreed with the policy. Ultimately, the city had to balance competing interests, she said. [SFBT]
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