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The Portland City Council, in a split vote, this week approved a hike in system development charges (SDCs) on new development to support the city’s parks system.

Commissioner Amanda Fritz, in charge of the city parks department, said 鈥渄evelopment needs to pay its own way鈥� and defended the increase.

But Commissioners Dan Saltzman and Steve Novick both objected.

鈥淚 still don’t understand why there has to be such a tremendous revenue increase, especially when we’re facing a crisis for middle-income earners in the city,鈥� Saltzman said. 鈥淭his is the wrong move at the wrong time.鈥�

Both the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland and the Portland Business Alliance criticized the plan to at least double fees for new commercial construction and increase rates for residential construction greater than 700 square feet. Low-income or affordable housing and college dormitories will be exempt under the new fee system, which will take effect July 1, 2016.

Novick said he objected to the methodology for the new fees and would have liked to have had more time for study.

鈥淚 think it makes sense to delay this decision until we take a longer look at housing affordability,鈥� he said, indicating that higher costs would be passed on to renters and homebuyers.

But Mayor Charlie Hales said the methodology for the new fees is sound, and voted in favor of the change. Commissioner Nick Fish also voted to support the new fees.

More about SDCs for parks is available at: www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/520092.