HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2020-002• Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
`. Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2020-007
File ID: AB2020-007 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 12/19/2019 Entered by: RSnijder@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Planning and File Type: Resolution
Development Services
Department
Assigned to: Council Natural Resources Committee Final Action: 01/14/2020
Agenda Date: 01/14/2020 Enactment#: RES 2020-002
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: rsnijder@whatcomcounty.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution 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
agricultural conservation easements on the Roper, McLeod, TeVelde, and Hirschkorn Applications
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
PDR Program update, please see attached staff memo for full summary.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
01/14/2020 Council Natural Resources Committee RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL
Aye: 2 Donovan, and Frazey
Nay: 1 Elenbaas
Absent: 0
Sent To:
01/14/2020 Council APPROVED
Aye: 5 Browne, Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, and Kershner
Nay: 2 Byrd, and Elenbaas
Absent: 0
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 111612020
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2020-007)
Attachments: Staff Memo (1/14/2020), Proposed Resolution (1/14/2020), PDR Ranked List- January 2020,
Presentation for 1.14.2020
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 1/1612020
SPONSORED BY:
PROPOSED BY: Planning
INTRODUCTION DATE:
RESOLUTION # 2020-002
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 AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON THE ROPER, MCLEOD,
TEVELDE, AND HIRSCHKORN APPLICATIONS
WHEREAS, Whatcom County government recognizes agriculture and forestry as major
contributors 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 and forestry 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, Ordinance #2018-065 amended Whatcom County Code Title 3.25A to direct the
PDR Program to also offer voluntary agreements to purchase forestry and ecological
conservations easements on working forestlands and important ecosystem areas within Whatcom
County; 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, The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office has approved matching
funds to support acquisition of the agricultural conservation easements on the Roper, McLeod,
and TeVelde projects; and
WHEREAS, The Sustainable Whatcom Fund of the Whatcom Community Foundation has
provided matching funds to support acquisition of the agricultural conservation easement on the
Hirschkorn project; and
WHEREAS, The Purchase of Development Oversight Rights Committee met on December 13,
2019 to develop a ranking of active applications received to date and forwarded that ranking to
Council; and
WHEREAS, The Purchase of Development Rights Oversight Committee considered the ranked
list of active applications and recommended at their December 13, 2019 meeting that County
Council authorize the PDR Program Administrator and County Executive to proceed with the title
search and appraisal of the value of development rights on the Hirschkorn application and
proceed with the acquisition of agricultural conservation easements on the Roper, McLeod,
TeVelde, and Hirrchkorn applications.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that:
l . The PDR Oversight Committee and Administrator proceed with the acquisition of title search
and appraisal services of the Hirschkorn application pursuant to the process outlined in the
PDR Guidelines Document.
2. The PDR Oversight Committee and Administrator proceed with the acquisition of four (4)
conservation easements on the Roper, McLeod, TeVelde, and Hirschkorn applications
pursuant to the process outlined in the PDR Guidelines Document.
3. The Executive is authorized to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Roper,
McLeod, TeVelde, and Hirschkorn properties, 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,
and
c. Budget authority has been adopted by the Whatcom County Council.
4. Expenditures of Conservation Futures Funds, within budget authority, are authorized to cover
expenses associated with purchase of conservation easement, including title search and
insurance, appraisal services, easement monitoring and enforcement fees.
APPR'Q�ED this.,'',.��4t°°uday of January 2020
,®
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
par01 _ — ATCOM CO , TY, ASHINGTON
Data Brow Davi;s,,, 1 Clerk
'Gh�.
a person - Barry Buchanan
APPROVED as to form.
Civil Deputy Prosecutor