HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2007-048WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO.
AB2007 -356
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
Originator:
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4 9/11/07 "
P &D /Council
Division Head.
Peterson
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Linda
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Dept. Head:
Sam Ryan
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Prosecutor;
Royce Buckingham
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Purchasing/Budget:
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Brad Bennett
Executive:
Pete Kremen
TITLE O DOC MENT.
Resolution for authorization of the purchase of a conservation easement on the Groen farm property
ATTACHMENTS.
Memo, Resolution, Memo — Royce Buckingham, Agreement Covering Terms of Sale, Regional property location map, and
Purchase and Sale Agreement with Conservation Easement (and exhibits) as attachment
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( x) NO
Should Clerk schedule a Bearing? { ) Yes (x ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
S UMMA R Y S TA TEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
Bearing, you must provide lire language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate. Be
clear in explaining the intent of lire action)
Authorization of purchase of a conservation easement under WCC 3.25A — Purchase of Agricultural
Development Rights program. The Groen farm property is the seventh purchase under the PDR program.
Matching funds have been authorized by USDA for 50% of the purchase price. A supplemental budget request
has been included in Supplemental Budget 41q 2007.
COMMITTEE ACTION.
COUNCIL ACTION.•
9/11/2007: Forwarded to Council for approval
9/11/2007: Council Approved 7 -0
Res. 2007 --048
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number:
Res. 2007 -048
Please Nate: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available far viewing and printing on
the County's website at. www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
1:12 Planning Division \1 PDR Program \Applicants - 2005 \GroenlWC - PDR. does_ eorrespondance \Groen.agenda_bill.doc
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Planning
INTRODUCTION DATE: 9/11/2007
RESOLUTION # 2007 -048
AUTHORIZING WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO PURCHASE DEVELOPMENT
RIGHTS ON THE GROEN PROPERTY
WHEREAS, Whatcom County government recognizes agriculture as a major contributor to the local
economy and a high quality of life for Whatcom County citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Growth Management Act and the County Comprehensive Plan support the retention of
agricultural lands of long term commercial significance and encourage the use of innovative techniques to
do so; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #92 -002 enacted a property tax levy known as the Conservation Futures Tax as
authorized by RCW 84.34.230 to provide a funding source to assist in acquiring open space, wetlands,
farm and agricultural land, and timber land; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #2002 -054 authorized the creation of a Purchase of Development Rights program
for agricultural land within Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #2002 -054 established a Purchase of Development Rights Oversight Committee
to provide review and assistance to the PDR Administrator; and
WHEREAS, Resolution #2002 -040 adopted the PDR Guidelines Document which includes specific
direction for program administration and conservation easement acquisitions; and
WHEREAS, The PDR Oversight Committee reviewed this property, found the property complies with the
PDR Guidelines, recommended this property for purchase, and authorized the PDR Administrator to
proceed with the acquisition process on August 3, 2007; and
WHEREAS, The Groen property has been appraised and a conservation easement has been drafted which
meets the requirements of both the Whatcom County Agricultural Purchase of Development Rights
Program and the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program; and
WHEREAS, Matching federal funds will be provided by the Natural Resource Conservation Service from
the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program to cover 50% of the purchase price; and
WHEREAS, The landowners have agreed to the offer price and conservation easement conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that:
1:12 Planning Divisionll PDR Program \Applicants- 20051GroenlWC- PDR. docs_ correspondance \Resolution_Groen _purchase.doc P. 1
1. The Executive is authorized to purchase the development rights of the property as identified in Exhibit 1
of this resolution (the Conservation Easement) for the full appraisal amount and to expend any
additional funds necessary to cover other purchase related costs provided that all terms and conditions
of the purchase are satisfied.
APPROVED this I 1 day of Sept. , 2007
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTEST-%0 Y'f Gf ��i���� WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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DanProvak-�yin� i[ Cle�c
APPR07 as to form:
ivil Deputy Prosecutor
Carl Weimer, Chairperson
Pete Kremen, Executive
Date: / 3,07
I:12 Planning Divisionli PDR Program\ Applicants - 20051 Groenl WC - PDR. docs_ correspondance \Resolution_Groen _purchase.doc P. 2