HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2018-028WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2018 -223
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
-F
Date Received in Council O ice
-
Agenda Date
Assi gned to.
Originator
�(�
July 16, 1018
8/8/18
Nat. Resources
Comm/Council
Division Head:
JUL 3 12018
WHATCOM WUNTY
�` U N C, 1L
Dept. Head:
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Prosecutor
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Purchasing /Budget:
Executive ��
7
TITLE OF DOCU,1 f
Resolution Affirming the PDR Oversight Committee Ranking and Authorizing Whatcom County Purchase of Development
Rights Administrator to proceed with acquisition process for 2018 applications.
ATTACHMENTS:
Memo, Resolution, Purchase of Development Rights 2018 Applicant Ranked list (Exhibit 1)
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( x) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing? ( ) Yes ( x ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARYSTATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE. (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate. Be
clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
As required by the WCC 3.25A - Purchase of Agricultural Development Rights Ordinance, applications submitted by landowners
interested in participating in the PDR program were reviewed for program eligibility, ranked pursuant to the PDR Guidelines Document,
Ranking Criteria, by the PDR Oversight Committee, and matching funds pursued. The ranking by the PDR Oversight Committee is now
being submitted to Council. County Council needs to review the ranking as submitted by the Oversight Committee and affirm or modify
that ranking list and authorize the PDR Administrator and County Executive to proceed with the acquisition process for Sidhu application
and to proceed with the acquisition of title search and appraisal services of the Roper, McLeod, and Vanderwerff applications.
1�
COMMITTEE ACTION. •
COUNCIL ACTION.
8/8/2018: Committee recommended approval, Ballew absent
8/8/2018: Approved 6 -0, Ballew absent, Res. 2018 -028
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number:
Res. 2018 -028
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing on
the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
SPONSORED BY: _
PROPOSED BY: Planning
INTRODUCTION DATE:
RESOLUTION # 2018 -028
AFFIRMING THE PDR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE RANKING AND AUTHORIZING
WHATCOM COUNTY PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ADMINISTRATOR
AND WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO PROCEED WITH THE ACQUISITION
OF AN AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THE SIDHU
APPLICATION
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 land, farm and agricultural land, and timber land, and a significant Conservation Futures
fund balance is available for additional farm land protection efforts ;" and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #2002 -054 adopted Whatcom County Code Title 3.25A that authorized
the creation of a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program that offers voluntary farm
agreements that include the purchase of agricultural conservation easements on farmable land
within Whatcom County, and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #2002 -054 and WCC 3.25A established a Purchase of Development
Rights Oversight Committee to provide review and assistance to the PDR Administrator, and
WHEREAS, The Whatcom County Council adopted the PDR Guidelines Document through
Resolution #2002 -040 which includes specific direction for program administration and
conservation easement acquisitions, and
WHEREAS, Council, pursuant to PDR Guidelines Document, must affirm or modify the
properties as submitted by the PDR Oversight Committee, and
WHEREAS, Council has reviewed the application ranking and background materials at a public
meeting, with input by County staff and PDR Oversight Committee members, and
WHEREAS, Council has determined the ranking in accordance with their policy priorities and
the requirements of Title 3.25A and the PDR Guidelines Document, and
WHEREAS, Council passed resolution 2016 -029 authorizing the PDR Administrator to acquire
title and appraisal services for applicants Sidhu, and
WHEREAS, The PDR Administrator has contracted appraisal services for all properties listed
above, and
WHEREAS, The Whatcom Land Trust board approved providing 50% matching funds to
support purchase of development rights on the Sidhu application.
WHEREAS, The Purchase of Development Oversight Rights Committee met on June 22, 2018
to develop a ranking of all applications received to date and forwarded that ranking to Council;
and
WHEREAS, The Purchase of Development Rights Oversight Committee considered the ranked
list of all current applications and recommended at their May 25, 2018 meeting that County
Council authorize the PDR Program Administrator and County Executive proceed with the
acquisition of an agricultural conservation easement on the Sidhu application and proceed with
title search and appraisal of the value of development rights on the Roper, McLeod, and
Vanderwerff applications.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that:
1. The PDR Oversight Committee and Administrator proceed with the acquisition of one (1)
conservation easement on the Sidhu application pursuant to the process outlined in the PDR
Guidelines Document.
2. The PDR Oversight Committee and Administrator proceed with the acquisition of title search
and appraisal services of the Roper, McLeod, and Vanderwerff applications pursuant to the
process outlined in the PDR Guidelines Document.
The Executive is authorized to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Sidhu
property, provided:
a. Appraisals are completed and conservation easements are drafted which meet the
requirements of the Whatcom County Purchase of Development Rights program,
and
b. Landowners have agreed to the offer price and conservation easement conditions.
4. Expenditure of Conservation Futures Funds are authorized to cover expenses associated with
purchase of conservation easements, including title search and insurance, appraisal services
and easementpl4 ?jitoring and enforcement fees.
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APPRQ , . th " `,r,�'rfday of ,August 2018
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AT -'F7= C }r _ WHA C I1N' Y, WASHINGTON
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Dana "Brown- Davis, Council Clerk Rud Browne, Chairperson
APPROVED' _p64> 1irm
C rosecutor