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HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1989-060'File: #OS: A -H.89 INTRODUCED BY: Consent _ PROPOSED BY: PLANNING DATE: 6 -15 -89 RESOLUTION NO. 89-60 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1989 A -H OPEN SPACE /TIMBER APPLICATIONS WHEREAS, the Planning Commission received from the County Council eight (8) new applications for open space land tax assessment for review and recommendations pursuant to RCW 84.34; and WHEREAS, Open Space /Timber applications from A. Granger and R. Granger were deemed ineligible upon staff review because their properties were more than 20% cleared; and WHEREAS, an Open Space /Timber application was withdrawn by W. Vaughan in March because of a change in use and an Open Space /Open Space application was withdrawn by T. Robertson in May because of the public access requirements; and WHEREAS, pursuant to WAC Section 197- 11- 800(6)(c), matters relating to Open Space taxation are determined not to be major actions and are exempt from the threshold determination and environmental impact statement requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act; and WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.70.390, legal notice was published in the Bellingham Herald on May 27, 1989, and in the Westside Record Journal on May 24, 1989, and a copy of said notice was sent in a timely manner to all owners; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the applications on June 6, 1989 and received testimony from the Planning Department staff and owners regarding their open space parcels; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission concurred with staff recommendations for approval of Open Space /Timber applications by Crandall, Woolery, and Kiera and denial of the Davidson Open Space /Timber application based upon the Public Benefit Rating System; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission forwarded its recommendations to Council; and 0 File Ref# OS:A -. '9 WHEREAS, Council held a public meeting on June 15, 1989 to consider the Planning Commission's recommendations. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL: 1. Open Space /Tfinber applications by P. Crandall, A. Woolery, and E. Kiera are hereby approved for Open Space tax status. 2. Conditions of approval require from the owner a Public Access Policy statement, the posting of an Open Space sign, and the signing of the Hold Harmless agreement in accordance with the revised Whatcom County Open Space Policy and Criteria and Public Benefit Rating System, Council Resolution No. 89 -38. 3. The Council directs the Assessor to place these parcels in the Open Space /Timber tax status category. Approval of the Kiera parcel is contingent upon submittal of an acceptable Timber Management Plan. 4. An Open Space /Timber application by I. Davidson is denied because it does not have enough unique qualities to satisfy the criteria and does not meet the threshold number of 45 Public Benefit Rating Points needed for approval. 5. The Open Space /Timber applications by A. Granger and R. Granger are deemed ineligible because 20% or more of the land is cleared of timber. 6. An Open Space /Tirnber application by W. Vaughan was withdrawn in March because of a change in use and an Open Space /Open Space application by T. Robertson was withdrawn in May because of the public access requirements. 7. Adjudication of invalidity of any of the sections, clauses or provisions of this Resolution shall not affect or impair the validity of the Resolution as a whole or any part thereof other than the part so declared to be invalid. PASSED this 15th day of ATTEST: �� ale�� Clerk of the Council June ARRRQVED AS TO FORM: Dave Cottingh m Civil Deputy osecuting Attorney File Ref# OS:A -, 9 , 1989. WH COM COUNT C I L HI��N WHA�M COUNTY onal d ,GA. ansey/ Offai rperson June 6, 1989 File Ref: 05:89 -A -H WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING AGENCY REPORT PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTIONS IN THE MATTER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ) FINDINGS, REASONS FOR 1989 -A -H OPEN SPACE TIMBER ) AND MOTION LAND AND OPEN SPACE OPEN SPACE ) APPLICATIONS. ) WHEREAS, the Planning Commission received from the County Council eight (8) new applications for open space land tax assessment for review and recommen- dations pursuant to RCW 84.34; and WHEREAS, Open Space /Timber applications from A. Granger and R. Granger were deemed ineligible upon staff review because their properties were more than 20% cleared; and WHEREAS, an Open Space /Timber application was withdrawn by W. Vaughan in March because of a change in use and an Open Space /Open Space application was withdrawn by T. Robertson in May because of the public access requirements; and WHEREAS, pursuant to WAC Section 197- 11- 800(6)(c), matters relating to open space taxation are determined not to be major actions and are exempt from the threshold determination and environmental impact statement requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act; and WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.70.390, legal notice was published in the West side Record - Journal on May 24, 1989 and in the Bellingham Herald on May 27, 1989, and a copy of said notice was sent in a timely manner to all applicants; and WHEREAS, on June 6, 1989, the Planning Commission opened the public hearing on the application and received testimony from the Planning Department staff regarding the proposed Open Space /Timber and Open Space /Open Space parcels; and WHEREAS, the Commission concurred with the Planning Department's recommendations to approve the Crandall, Woolery, and Kiera Open Space /Timber applications and deny the Davidson Open Space /Timber application, based upon the Public Benefit Rating System evaluation summarized in the Staff Report dated May 31, 1989; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has concluded its hearings on all current applications. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: Findings of Fact and Reasons for Action: 1. A quorum of Commission members was present during the hearing and subsequent discussion. Commissioners present at hearing were Simpson, Baijot, Heeringa, Ernst, Shintaffer, Van Dalen, and Almskaar. /'0 1 June 6, 1989 File Ref: 05:89 -A -H 2. Statutory requirements were met regarding legal notice and SEPA review. 3. The Planning Commission accepted the Public Benefit Ratings as recommended in the attached staff report. 4. A majority of the Commission voted to recommend approval of the Crandall, Woolery, and Kiera Open Space /Timber applications. 5. Approval for the Kiera parcel is contingent upon submittal of a Timber Management Plan prior to the Council hearing. 6. Commission finds that the Davidson parcel does not have enough unique qualities to satisfy the criteria and does not meet the threshold number of 45 needed for approval. 7. Parcels owned by Robertson, Vaughan, A. Granger, and R. Granger were either withdrawn or deemed ineligible prior to the hearing. WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION David Simpson, man Dmj— J- �. Dan Taylor, Se etary Attachments: 1. Staff Report 2. Draft Resolution MAY 31, 1989 File Ref: 89 -A WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT Staff Report: 1989- A /CRANDALL Open Space Application This report summarizes the Planning Department's recommendations on recently received open space applications. The Open Space Taxation Act (RCW 84.34) was enacted in 1970 for two primary reasons: to create a tax climate that was equitable to the open space landowner and to decrease the rate at which open space lands were being converted to nonrural uses. These were accomplished by providing property tax relief to land that qualifies under one of the three open space classifications: agricultural, open space and timber. The agricultural designation is administered by the County Assessor; while the open space and timber applications fall under the authority of the County Council. This report deals with one (1) application by Paul Crandall (89 -A) for Open Space /Timber. The Process is handled in the same manner as.an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. The Council decides on whether to grant the applicant assessment at current use after receiving a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Of the seven Open Space /Timber and one Open Space /Open Space applications received, four are being processed. Open Space /Timber applications for Arthur Granger (89 -G) and Robert Granger (89 -H) were denied up front because more than 20% of the land was not forested. An Open Space /Timber application by William Vaughan (89 -F) was withdrawn in March because of a change in use and an Open Space /Open Space application by Thomas Robertson (89 -E) was withdrawn in May because he did not wish to provide public access. The staff recommendations for the remaining Open Space /Timber applications for Paul Crandall (89 -A), A.D. Woolery (89 -B), Ian Davidson (89 -C), and Eileen Kiera (89 -D) are based on the information gathered in accordance with adopted Whatcom County Public Benefit Rating System and criteria. Figure 1 illustrates generally the locations of the applications, Table 1 lists staff recommendations and tax impact (not used as a basis of evaluation), and Appendix 1 lists the Public Benefit Rating criteria. For both the open space and timber categories, approval is contingent upon three additional matters: (1) the applicant consents to a degree of public access to the site, to be specified in the formal signed agreement. Such access is to be commensurate with site characteristics and generally subject to users obtaining the owner's permission. (2) the applicant post a sign indicating open space status and public access. (3) the applicant signs and returns a "Hold Harmless Agreement" together with the signed formal agreement. The timber applications must also provide the County Council with an acceptable "Timber Management Plan" prior to the Council signing the formal agreement. P, J.. t ..: ;.... .....!.........!._.._.........� ...a? ? IS7WRT.rpl:vF rfwr In ' r 1 �. "_....... ... i.._. ....._....._.....c.... -..: a ... S _ ........ ............ ' ! ° ••• cc .i i ■ 1 1 i : : r j ................... .... .... ... .... ..... j.._.... L,...,.......,.,..,......•. 3........}..,...., i. .__..T.•r_�r• «•�............,,1 .Y. I I I.....: Al jo Is _..: :(1 ! ; 1 Is CO 4 ' :_w•i__.4. r..s ...«•_ I,..._..• y.._.._ T..._._ .3..__....__...1. «._..3�._..... � _..._:_...._.3.._.•_.� � _..1....._�.._._: �.r.. ... I..�i.... ....!._.•... ?-„- -r �.. �..._._;.__...r._.._3.__ —i _ �. ..__;... -Yr„ .. i.. «_.. �..._..i. —.._:. I i I _� �: Y 1 .. OY ■Iwp000? � 7 ? � � I 1 --i— ? i ; i . t ... I t ! S abt :O LLJ 13j, 1 Y eon o� /� . ! ! 4�Is • O M7M • V YlA] + • G OY NOOM • 1 1 j ; •� - 1 1 QY 000-2 YON r a • ON 0.0410 • j � ; O OY : MVOiFNYM �A "�'• "1'�•'� I t 1 I W I ? i j ? S /' 1 C� °' I W 't m A■V O Flgllgn ]OqO: 'f__..... ! t ! AIrO� If 7.A ? ? i ? 1 ■ C = am all .....:.... �■ ? i � t ; ;.._ .�... i. _ ...._ ..i.. .. ..... _ .... .... ' _ t 1 ■ ? t ; N OY T1YY11 7 }71• r ! , ? ....._.. .._.....:._..«. .._. uR a F.. e ♦ - i sm S E u ir P It TABLE 1 WHATCOM COUNTY OPEN SPACE PROPERTY CLASSIFICATION P- nerty Owner: CRANDALL, PAUL Parcel No: 37- 04- 22/016 -205 37 -04- 21/510 -160 Address: 3700 SOUTH BAY DR. Designation: OPEN SPACE /TIMBER SEORO WOOLLEY WA 98284 Acres: 7.1 Phone: 595 -2438 Road Access: SOUTH BAY DR. Subarea: Lake Whatcom Land Use: HOMESITE /MIXED FOREST Comp Plan designation: Residential Rural Zoning designation: Residential Rural Shorelines: Rural COMMENTS: HOMES ITE /TRAILS/SHORELINE ACCESS /PARKING /ROAD FRONTAGE /LOTS OF REC. CONDITIONS: X Public Access ACTION: . X Sign X Hold Harmless Commission: P 06/06/89 PUBLIC BENEFIT X Timber Management Plan Council: P 0 RATING: 59.94 BASIC VALUE POINTS PUBLIC BENEFIT VALUE % POINTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land devoted to growth /harvest 5. Public access 0.3 Timber management plan 7. Water resource protection 0.15 Designated Forestry 0. Wildlife habitat 0.12 Conserve resources 5. Parcel size -0.07 Protect streams /shorelines /etc 5. Abutting other open space 0.03 Protect soils and wildlife 5. Natural areas 0.04 Promote conservation principles 1. Financial advantage 0. r--hance abutting open space 2. Discretionary value 0.05 ,._.:reation opportunities 7. Historic /archaeological site 0. TOTALS 37. 0.62 SOIL SOIL TYPE / SOIL CAPABILITIES % SLOPE % OF SITE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -- #1 Sehome gravelly loam 15 -30% 90% Agricult: Very severe limitations /erosion /not prime Forestry: Douglas fir /grade =2/ index = 118 - 135' /operability= average Developm: Severe T2 Sehome loam 2 -8% 10% Agricult: Some limitations /erosion /prime Forestry: Douglas fir /grade =2/ index = 118 - 135' /operability = favorable Developm: Moderate - severe PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IMPACT REPORT FOR OPEN SPACE /FORESTRY PARCELS OWNER: CRANDALL, PAUL Land Value: $119,325.00 Regular Tax: $1,608.41 Parcel #: 37 -04- 22/016 -205 Acres: 1 7.1 Tax with PBR: 1 $4.31 PBR Rating: 59.94 Millage: 13.47921 % Reduction: 99% MAY 31, 1989 File Ref: 89 -B WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT Staff Report: 1989- 8/WOOLERY Open Space Application This report summarizes the Planning Department's recommendations on recently received open space applications. The Open Space Taxation Act (RCW 84.34) was enacted in 1970 for two primary reasons: to create a tax climate that was equitable to the open space landowner and to decrease the rate at which open space lands were being converted to nonrural uses. Those were accomplished by providing property tax relief to land that qualifies under one of the three open space classifications: agricultural, open space and timber. The agricultural designation is administered by the County Assessor; while the open space and timber applications fall under the authority of the County Council. This report deals with one (1) application by A.D. Woolery (89 -B) for Open Space /Timber. The Process is handled in the same manner as -an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. The Council decides on whether to grant the applicant assessment at current use after receiving a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Of the seven Open Space /Timber and one Open Space /Open Space applications received, four are being processed. Open Space /Timber applications for Arthur Granger (89 -G) and Robert Granger (89 -H) were denied up front because more than 20% of the land was not forested. An Open Space /Timber application by William Vaughan (89 -F) was withdrawn in March because of a change in use and an Open Space /Open Space application by Thomas Robertson (89 -E) was withdrawn in May because he did not wish to provide public access. The staff recommendations for the remaining Open Space /Timber applications for Paul Crandall (89 -A), A.D. Woolery (89 -B), Ian Davidson (89 -C), and Eileen Kiera (89 -D) are based on the information gathered in accordance with adopted Whatcom County Public Benefit Rating System and criteria. Figure 1 illustrates generally the locations of the applications, Table 1 lists staff recommendations and tax impact (not used as a basis of evaluation), and Appendix 1 lists the Public Benefit Rating criteria. For both the open space and timber categories, approval is contingent upon three additional matters: (1) the applicant consents to a degree of public access to the site, to be specified in the formal signed agreement. Such access is to be commensurate with site characteristics and generally subject to users obtaining the owner's permission. (2) the applicant post a sign indicating open space status and public access. (3) the applicant signs and returns a "Hold Harmless Agreement" together with the signed formal agreement. The timber applications must also provide the County Council with an acceptable "Timber Management Plan" prior to the Council signing the formal agreement. ........ _ ... f I I' ..... . j ...r.A.._..... {._......j..... ». j_..... - ... _ ... _ _ IS7rOI., .n lvr r711 IN _ , ; „ r x r.. r . 1 s i V : I... •..•i 4•. »__�_...•...j.. i : ; ! i { : : *.w__•• I � . j_•._+1:......... i........ L... .....i........_ »......�........ i........`.. ».•wL ..._M_w.w. •. . ».i........C........i_.w_'. ' ....: .i...._.. }...� : .�i ......... ' ... i ... S __. .. 1 -.4 i ......... L...._.i........1......1 • : t 1 ji _i...I. +. w__..� .w_w.;.....w..� ...... ' w .... ........ r � E ii r.._; i._.....t._.....i...._ .... ....... .. - .» ... ..w.i.r..,.+ 1 I „ .......1 r 1 t ••i+ 'i i i : .j _•": ...�•i.*i . ».I.o` ...y.__....n_•..._r_..•_.: _.i._„....L.._._.�.._.... i...._.i...�.: . - .... «i.w� ' I ._r r'7!.... ....i_w.._.i._.....T �. :.. _. «i.w._._•».._..i.w._.:- _. -... e...._ri...�r_ ..i•.__ !w._._i..w.��........�... ....i..�..�.rw.j.._ __ .._� __.i__.w.. " B i f j i i i i i 3 1......_. {..» t._._...__._..i.__._.;.._ .Ey _ __ a_.._..s. „_._.i.._ »__._... {_._. iw „_...�.�_.i.__.�•�._i..�.. S • am Nliwao°nE Co Or M)rM N.A : ` : •••••'� OYOY A. ••••_ ; _..._ .._._.__....... .. i } ¢ cat M)N)OI �OCYjA) t _.... ». 1 i i S i . _...p..r_. .. _ .. �. W.. ad OON{ CL j I �,�j . «.5........' i t Or fOYlO i a OY { N.0)rn1M o li » i c r � 1 I j e 3 011. �• •i. i - 0 S ANUI O 7 O ;Nr1011on )Dino•' `�„c>< •_.._... •• t i i u � , 1 i i O w i i NIYOM : G, a � � I .. 2 ar. e W 1 ° 1 f ar ,IiYY)1 lrt,; 1 v . 1._. .._.r .._..... ._.. i� 1 o 1 u � G TABLE 1 WHATCOM CuuNTY OPEN SPACE PROPERTY CLASSIFi%,ATION Property Owner: WOOLERY, A.D. Parcel No: 40 -01- 21/073 -445 Jdress: 3220 MALCOLM AVE. Designation: OPEN SPACE /TIMBER LOS ANGELES, CA 90034 Acres: 20.08 Phone: 332 -6285 Road Access: KICKERVILLE RD. Subarea: Birch Bay - Blaine Land Use: MIXED FOREST /CREEK Comp Plan designation: Rural Zoning designation: Rural -1 unit /10 acres Shorelines: Rural COMMENTS: PUBLIC ROAD FRONTAGE /PARKING /CREEK ACCESS /WILDLIFE OBSERVATION CONDITIONS: X Public Access X Sign X Hold Harmless X Timber Management Plan ACTION: Commission: P 06/06/89 PUBLIC Council: P 0 RATING: BENEFIT 44.72 BASIC VALUE POINTS PUBLIC BENEFIT VALUE % POINTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land devoted to growth /harvest 4. Public access 0.3 Timber management plan 2. Water resource protection 0.18 Designated Forestry 0. Wildlife habitat 0.16 Conserve resources 2. Parcel size 0.01 Protect streams /shorelines /etc 6. Abutting other open space 0.02 Protect soils and wildlife 4. Natural areas 0.05 Promote conservation principles 0. Financial advantage 0. Enhance abutting open space 3. Discretionary value 0. Recreation opportunities 5. iistoric /archaeological site 0. TOTALS 26. 0.72 SOIL SOIL TYPE / SOIL CAPABILITIES % SLOPE % OF SITE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -- #1 Skipopa - Blainegate, complex 0 -8% 95% Agricult: Severe limitations /excess water /not prime Forestry: Douglas fir /grade =3/ index =99- 117' /operability = difficult Developm: Severe 12 Shalcar muck, drained 0 -2% 5% Agricult: Some limitations /excess water /prime when drained Forestry: Non - commercial Developm: Severe PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IMPACT REPORT FOR OPEN SPACE /FORESTRY PARCELS OWNER: WOOLERY, A.D. Land Value: $40,160.00 Regular Tax: $594.80 Parcel n: 40 -01- 21/073 -445 Acres: 20.08 Tax with PBR: $24.68 PBR Rating: 44.72 Millage: 14.81054 % Reduction: 950 P MAY 31, 1989 File Ref: 89 -C WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT Staff Report: 1989- C /DAVIDSON Open Space Applications This report summarizes the Planning Department's recommendations on recently received open space applications. The Open Space Taxation Act (RCW 84.34) was enacted in 1970 for two primary reasons: to create a tax climate that was equitable to the open space landowner and to decrease the rate at which open space lands were being converted to nonrural uses. These were accomplished by providing property tax relief to land that qualifies under one of the three open space classifications: agricultural, open space and timber. The agricultural designation is administered by the County Assessor; while the open space and timber applications fall under the authority of the County Council. This report deals with one (1) application by Ian Davidson (89 -C) for Open Space /Timber. The Process is handled in the same manner as-an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. The Council decides on whether to grant the applicant assessment at current use after receiving a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Of the seven Open Space /Timber and one Open Space /Open Space applications received, four are being processed. Open Space /Timber applications for Arthur Granger (89 -G) and Robert Granger (89 -H) were denied up front because more than 20% of the land was not forested. An Open Space /Timber application by William Vaughan (89 -F) was withdrawn in March because of a change in use and an Open Space /Open Space application by Thomas Robertson (89 -E) was withdrawn in May because he did not wish to provide public access. The staff recommendations for the remaining Open Space /Timber applications for Paul Crandall (89 -A), A.D. Woolery (89 -B), Ian Davidson (89 -C), and Eileen Kiera (89 -D) are based on the information gathered in accordance with adopted Whatcom County Public Benefit Rating System and criteria. Figure 1 illustrates generally the locations of the applications, Table 1 lists staff recommendations and tax impact (not used as a basis of evaluation), and Appendix 1 lists the Public Benefit Rating criteria. For both the open space and timber categories, approval is contingent upon three additional matters: (1) the applicant consents to a degree of public access to the site, to be specified in the formal signed agreement. Such access is to be commensurate with site characteristics and generally subject to users obtaining the owner's permission. (2) the applicant post a sign indicating open space status and public access. (3) the applicant signs and returns a "Hold Harmless Agreement" together with the signed formal agreement. The timber applications must also provide the County Council with an acceptable "Timber Management Plan" prior to the Council signing the formal agreement. // ff .... ...... • .......... .. . .... ........ ..................... ........ ......... ........ ........ . � ... ........... .... ........ uj cc ....... ....... ......... ........ .......... ... . ... . ........ ................. .... I .......... ....... ........ ........ ...... ....... . ........ ..................................... . . ... ..... . ...... .... . ............. ... . ....... . .... . ......... . ............ ... .. .. . .. .......... . ............. ... ........ . . . ..... ....... .............. ..... . ...... ........ I .. . ............ . ...... . X11.11 ._. /_..... • F-51 cr) . . .... ....... .. .... ........ !low as .1sim LLI am .3.sog 'ag.JAJ ........ L 5......._j....•... ...... • OY "00" ...... .... cn ul CL ...... .. ........ ........ ... am • ....... . ...... .. ...... .. ...... ........ am 11411.1i 3x11: -ell la: ej 311 O .... . ..... am ...0001 ad mamns --_�_: o 70 _ ,c am am pdia O .......... .. . .... ........ ..................... ........ ......... ........ ........ . � ... ........... .... ........ uj cc ....... ....... ......... ........ .......... ... . ... . ........ ................. .... I .......... ....... ........ ........ ...... ....... . ........ ..................................... . . ... ..... . ...... .... . ............. ... . ....... . .... . ......... . ............ ... .. .. . .. .......... . ............. ... ........ . . . ..... ....... .............. ..... . ...... ........ I .. . ............ . ...... . X11.11 ._. /_..... • F-51 cr) . . .... ....... .. .... ........ !low as .1sim LLI am .3.sog 'ag.JAJ ........ L 5......._j....•... ...... • OY "00" ...... .... cn ul CL ...... .. ........ ........ ... am • ....... . ...... .. ...... .. ...... ........ am 11411.1i 3x11: -ell la: ej 311 O . .... ..... .......... .. . .... ........ ..................... ........ ......... ........ ........ . � ... ........... .... ........ uj cc ....... ....... ......... ........ .......... ... . ... . ........ ................. .... I .......... ....... ........ ........ ...... ....... . ........ ..................................... . . ... ..... . ...... .... . ............. ... . ....... . .... . ......... . ............ ... .. .. . .. .......... . ............. ... ........ . . . ..... ....... .............. ..... . ...... ........ I .. . ............ . ...... . X11.11 ._. /_..... • F-51 cr) . . .... ....... .. .... ........ !low as .1sim LLI am .3.sog 'ag.JAJ ........ L 5......._j....•... ...... • OY "00" ...... .... cn ul CL ...... .. ........ ........ ... am • ....... . ...... .. ...... .. ...... ........ am 11411.1i 3x11: -ell la: ej 311 TABLE 1 WHATCOM CUv,4TY OPEN SPACE PROPERTY CLASSIF,_ATION Property Owner: DAVIDSON, IAN Parcel No: 38 -04- 06/087 -422 Address: P.O. BOX 335 DEMING WA 98244 Phone: 676 -2269 Subarea: Lynden- Nooksack Valley Comp Plan designation: Rural _- Zoning designation: Rural -1 unit /5 acres Designation: OPEN SPACE /TIMBER Acres: 9.86 Road Access: MISSION RD. Land Use: HOMESITE /FIELD /SEEDLINGS Shorelines: - -- COMMENTS: MIXED FOREST /CLEARING /DOUGLAS FIR SEEDLINGS HAVE BEEN PLANTED /MOBILE CONDITIONS: X Public Access ACTION: X Sign X Hold Harmless Commission: P 06/06/89 . PUBLIC BENEFIT .X Timber Management Plan Council: P 0 RATING: 25.16(26.64 - BASIC VALUE POINTS PUBLIC BENEFIT VALUE % POINTS 35.52) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land devoted to growth /harvest 4. Public access 0.2 Timber management plan 0. (1- )Water resource protection- 0.13 Designated Forestry 0. Wildlife habitat 0.15 Conserve resources 3. Parcel size -0.06 Protect streams /shorelines /etc 1. Abutting other open space 0.03 Protect soils and wildlife 3. Natural areas 0.03 Promote conservation principles 1. Financial advantage 0. Enhance abutting open space 2. Discretionary value 0. recreation opportunities 3. Historic /archaeological site 0. TOTALS 17. (1.8 -Z4) 0.48 96IC"' I TIPE /''SOIL CAPABILITIES % SLOPE % OF SITE ------------------------------------------------------------ - - - - - - - - - - - M - M - M M Tr 1 Whatcom- Labounty silt loam 0 -8% 55% Agricult: Very severe limitations /erosion /not prime Forestry: Douglas fir /grade =3 /index =99- 117' /operability = difficult Developm: Severe 22 Labounty silt loam, undrained 0 -2% 35% Agricult: Some limits /generally unsuitable for cultiv /excess water /prime wh Forestry: Red alder /grade =7 /index =under 117' /operability= difficult Developm:-Severe n3 Pyallup fine sandy loam 0 -3% 10% Agricult: Some limitations /excess water /prime when protected from flooding Forestry: Douglas fir /grade =2 /index= 118 - 135' /operability = favorable Developm: Severe PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IMPACT REPORT FOR OPEN SPACE /FORESTRY PARCELS JER: DAVIDSON, IAN Land Value: $34,150.00 Regular Tax: $425.36 Parcel n: 38 -04- 06/087 -422 Acres: 9.86 Tax with PBR: $12.90 PBR Rating: 25.16 Millage: 12.45578 % Reduction: 96% 4: ;D MAY 31, 1989 File Ref: 89 -D WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT Staff Report: 1989- D /KIERA Open Space ADDlications This report summarizes the Planning Department's recommendations on recently received open space applications. The Open Space Taxation Act (RCW 84.34) was enacted in 1970 for two primary reasons: to create a tax climate that was equitable to the open space landowner and to decrease the rate at which open space lands were being converted to nonrural uses. These were accomplished by providing property tax relief to land that qualifies under one of the three open space classifications: agricultural, open space and timber. The agricultural designation is administered by the County Assessor; while the open space and timber applications fall under the authority of the County Council. This report deals with one (1) application by Eileen Kiera (89 -D) for Open Space /Timber. The Process is handled in the same manner as-an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. The Council decides on whether to grant the applicant assessment at current use after receiving a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Of the seven Open Space /Timber and one Open Space /Open Space applications received, four are being processed. Open Space /Timber applications for Arthur Granger (89 -G) and Robert Granger (89 -H) were denied up front because more than 20% of the land was not forested. An Open Space /Timber application by William Vaughan (89 -F) was withdrawn in March because of a change in use and an Open Space /Open Space application by Thomas Robertson (89 -E) was withdrawn in May because he did not wish to provide public access. The staff recommendations for the remaining Open Space /Timber applications for Paul Crandall (89 -A), A.D. Woolery (89 -B), Ian Davidson (89 -C), and Eileen Kiera (89 -D) are based on the information gathered in accordance with adopted Whatcom County Public Benefit Rating System and criteria. Figure 1 illustrates generally the locations of the applications, Table 1 lists staff recommendations and tax impact (not used as a basis of evaluation), and Appendix 1 lists the Public Benefit Rating criteria. For both the open space and timber categories, approval is contingent upon three additional matters: (1) the applicant consents to a degree of public access to the site, to be specified in the formal signed agreement. Such access is to be commensurate with site characteristics and generally subject to users obtaining the owner's permission. (2) the applicant post a sign indicating open space status and public access. (3) the applicant signs and returns a "Hold Harmless Agreement" together with the signed formal agreement. The timber applications must also provide the County Council with an acceptable "Timber Management Plan" prior to the Council signing the formal agreement. 16�1 ........ ....... . . ........ . ..... ..... . .... ........ .. .... . • ... ....... . ...... ............ ............ .... . .. . ........ ......... ... .... .... . ... . ...... ......... uj .... . .. . . ..... ........ .......... . ...... ....... . . ...... ......... . ......... . ..... ........ ........ ............... r ........ . . ......... ........ . ........ . .... ................. . ......... ..... . .... . ............. ....... .... . . ... ........ ...... .........• ..;........2........i........ .......... ... . . ....... . ............ ii .......... a . . .. ........ ...... . . . .. . ..... . . ......... am QoQv. • :3 y V . . ..... . ... ..... ... v.--! ........ 7 LU ....... ....... ....... ... "nins miA am 14 ... . .... U.1 JJJ Go .» . ..... . ....... ...... am .3-sco lalwl�a CL .... .......... am Qcm- a Nona . ... ...... .... I or so4 IQ ...... 2: ul *.._.._f.._.... .... ..... . . a CL . . ....... ..... . ... .... ...... ....... ■ ..... .. ..... ........ 2 ...... .. . . ......... . . ....... . ...... . ... r a • am 317.% .... ..... ........ . ...... ... ------ --I . ........ .... ... .. . . .. . ......... .... ..... . ... .. or p 7 o \t JTC .... ... .... ............. to 4.11 0 <il< 2 A ..... ..... 2 A TABLE 1 WHATCOM WUNTY OPEN SPACE PROPERTY CLASSIriCATION Property Owner: KIERA, EILEEN Parcel No: 38 -05- 09/030 -334 Address: 5999 SCHORNBUSH RD. Designation: OPEN SPACE /TIMBER DEMING WA 98244 Acres: 19. Phone: 592 -5248 Road Access: SCHORNBUSH RD. Subarea: Southfork Land Use: HOMESITE /MIXED FOREST Comp Plan designation: General- Protection Zoning designation: General Protection Shorelines: - -- COMMENTS: HOMESITE /POND /LOTS OF RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES CONDITIONS: - X Public Access ACTION: X Sign X Hold Harmless Commission: P 06/06/89 PUBLIC BENEFIT X Timber Management Plan Council: P 0 RATING: 46.48 (48.14 - 58.01) BASIC VALUE POINTS PUBLIC BENEFIT VALUE % POINTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land devoted to growth /harvest 4. Public access 0.28 Timber management plan 0.(1-7 )Water resource protection 0.15 Designated Forestry 0. Wildlife habitat 0.15 Conserve resources 2. Parcel size -0.01 Protect streams /shorelines /etc 7. Abutting other open space 0.04 Protect soils and wildlife 5. Natural areas 0.05 Promote conservation principles 0. Financial advantage 0. Enhance abutting open space 5. Discretionary value 0. Recreation opportunities 5. Historic /archaeological site 0. TOTALS 28. (29 -35) 0.66 SOIL SOIL TYPE / SOIL CAPABILITIES % SLOPE % OF SITE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -- #1 Chuckanut- Shalcar, complex Agricult: - -- Forestry: - -- Developm: - -- PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IMPACT REPORT FOR OPEN SPACE /FORESTRY PARCELS 0 -15% 100% OWNER: KIERA, EILEEN Land Value: $35,800.00 Regular Tax: $486.19 Parcel #: 38 -05- 09/030 -334 Acres: 1 19. Tax with PBR: $21.42 PBR Rating: 46.48 Miilage: 13.58068 % Reduction: 95% APPENDIX 1 I. PUBLIC BENEFIT VALUE CRITERIA Open Space /Timber Only parcels of five acres or larger may be considered for ,Open Space /Timber. No approval shall be issued for any parcel containing a building or any land in which more than 20% of land area is cleared of timber. It is the policy of Whatcom County that growth and harvest of forest crops (RCW 84.34.020(3)) shall mean: a long -term vield. A maximum of seven (7) points for Open Space /Timber applications may be assigned for each of the ten (10) items listed below, based upon conformance with the criteria for approval adopted by the county. For further detail regarding the approval criteria, contact the County Planning Department. No application for open space timber will be accepted without an acceptable timber management plan. 1. Land "primarily devoted to growth and commercial harvest of forest crops." 2. Level of detail and professionalism in .timber management plan including, but not limited to, the following: a. type of timber to be managed; b. length of time in production and anticipated year of harvest;. C. projected cutting and reforestation methods; d. types of forest management practices to be employed (i.e., fertilization, thinning, etc.) 3. Lands which are designated Forestry in the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan. 4. Conserve or enhance natural, cultural or scenic resources. S. Protect streams, stream corridors, wetlands, natural shorelines and aquifers. 6. Protect soil resources and unique or critical wildlife and native plant habitat. 7. Promote conservation principles by example or by offering educational opportunities. 8 Enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests, wildlife preserves, nature reservations or sanctuaries or other open spaces. 9. Enhance recreation opportunities. 10. Preserve historic and archaeological sites. II. PUBLIC BENEFIT VALUE CRITERIA The following list of open space characteristics have been determined to have a high priority in providing (or detracting from) benefit to the general welfare and will be used to determine the PUBLIC BENEFIT VALUE for each Open Space /Open Space and Open Space /Timber application. The total PUBLIC BENEFIT VALUE will increase (or decrease) the BASIC VALUE by a certain percentage. It is possible to attain a PUBLIC BENEFIT VALUE of up to 140 %, resulting in a maximum possible increase of 140 %. /6�) � PUBLIC 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ACCESS (Maximum 40% increase), Shoreline access Recreation access Public road frontage Availability of off- street parking Quality of access in terms of accessibility and owner's proposed rules of conduct and access management. WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION (Maximum 20% increase) 1. Watershed of domestic water supply 2. Aquifer recharge area 3. Preservation of hydrologic processes: - streams and natural drainage courses - wetlands, swamps, bogs -lakes C. WILDLIFE HABITAT (Maximum 20% increase). 1. State or Federal Endangered Species; State or Federal Threatened Species; Federal Proposed Endangered or Threatened Species; and State Sensitive and Monitor Species. Z. Abundance and diversity of-wildlife (associated with "edge" type habitat and areas of vegetative and topographic diversity). D. PARCEL SIZE A. twenty (20) acres or larger(Maximum 10% increase) B. Smaller than five (5) acres(Maximum 10% decrease) E. LINKAGE WITH OTHER OPEN SPACES (Maximum 5% increase) Adjacent to other Open Space, parks, or open areas associated with Planned Unit Developments, Cluster Subdivisions, or Binding Site Plans. F. NATURAL AREAS (Maximum 5% increase) Based on how much of parcel is in natural cover and not developed with homesite, outbuildings, and clearings. G. FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE (Maximum 40% decrease.) The use to which the land is put derives a financial advantage for it owners. H. DISCRETIONARY VALUE (Maximum 40% increase) (Maximum 40% decrease) Discretionary value may be added or subtracted where land provides or detracts from public benefits other than those specifically listed above. If discretionary value is added or subtracted, the provision of or detraction from public benefits shall be set forth in detail on the supplemental application form and on the scoring sheet