HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2003-036wueT�nne rnrrnrry rnrrn/�iT. AaFNT)A RiTT. NO. 2003- 161
ClCARANCF,S Date Date Received in Council Office Accurate Date Assigned To
Ong- Dept.'. County Council
4/15/2003
D
APR 15 2W3
WHATCOM COUNTY
COUNCIL
4/222003
Nat. Resources/Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor ro �-
y -Ij.y3
Budget
Executive'.
SUBJECT:
Resolution amending Purchase of Dev. Rights Guidelines to re -adopt original map
ATTACHMENTS
SUMMARYSTATEMENT.
Related County Contract #: Should the Clerk schedule a hearing? (YIN) N Requested Date:
This resolution amends W hatcom County's PDR Program Guidelines Document by re- adopting the original target area map.
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
2003- 161 422/2003: Approved 6 -1, Crawford opposed, Res. #2003 -035
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Council
INTRODUCTION DATE: 4/22/03
RESOLUTION NO. 2003 -036
AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY'S PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
PROGRAM GUIDELINES DOCUMENT BY RE- ADOPTING THE ORIGINAL TARGET
AREA MAP
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, adopted September 10, 2002, 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, passed by Council September 10, 2002, adopted
the PDR Guidelines Document which includes specific direction for program
administration and conservation easement acquisitions, and
WHEREAS, Resolution # 2002 -040 included modification to Appendix A, Target Areas
Map, which excluded portions of Target Areas #10, 11 and 12, for Round I of the
Purchase of Development Rights Program to provide the City of Lynden an opportunity
to respond to the County's Purchase of Development Rights Target Area designations;
and
WHEREAS, The City of Lynden initiated the development of a long range land use
proposal which was presented to County Council April 8, 2003, as the City's response to
the County's designated Target Areas; and
WHEREAS, Council considered the City of Lynden's response; and
WHEREAS, Council considered oral and written testimony from the public and
agricultural interests; and
WHEREAS, Council finds that reinstating the Purchase of Development Rights Target
Areas as originally included in the "Recommendations from the Purchase of
Development Rights Advisory Committee, August 2002:' to be in the best interest of the
I:\2 Planning Division \i PER Program \Documents \ResolutionREADOPTING ORIGINAL MAP.doc
County due to the finite availability of prime farmland, the agricultural sector's
contribution to the local economy and the Comprehensive Plan requirement that the
County maintain a critical mass of farmland; and
WHEREAS, Council acknowledges the City of Lynden's concerns regarding the City's
ability to accommodate a proportional population growth over the next sixty years and
commits to ensuring that sufficient areas within Whatcom County, outside of areas
designated as agricultural lands of longterm commercial significance, are reserved to
accommodate future population growth.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that:
1. The Purchase of Development Rights Guidelines Document be amended by
replacing the current Appendix A, the First Amended Target Area Map, with Exhibit
A attached hereto and containing a print date 4 -14 -03 in the Legend.
ADOPTED this 22 day of April , 2003.
ATTEST.,
Dana Da
Clerk of the Council
APPROVED as to form
9v `
David Gr , Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dan McShane, Council Chair
(41<pProved O Denied
Pete Kremer, Executive
Date: L_ j0-0 j
112 Planning DivisicMI PDR Program \Documents \ResolutionREADOPTING ORIGINAL MAP eoc