HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2026-014° Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2026-330
File ID: AB2026-330 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Approved
File Created: 04/16/2026 Entered by: aharris@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Planning and File Type: Resolution
Development Services
Department
Assigned to: Council Planning and Development Committee Final Action: 04/28/2026
Agenda Date: 04/28/2026 Enactment #: RES 2026-014
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: aharris@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution approving recommendations on Open Space applications
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See attachments
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
Sent To:
04/28/2026 Council Planning and Development SUBSTITUTE
Committee RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL
Aye: 7 Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
04/28/2026 Council SUBSTITUTE APPROVED
Aye: 7 Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Attachments: Staff Memo, Staff Report, Proposed Resolution, Presentation, Substitute Resolution
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 412912026
PROPOSED BY: PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
INTRODUCED: APRIL 28, 2026
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-014
APPROVING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPEN SPACE LAND CLASSIFICATION
WHEREAS, RCW 84.34 and RCW 84.33 give counties authority to approve
applications for current use tax classification for the following categories: Open Space Land,
Open Space Farm & Agricultural Land, and Designated Forestland; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Whatcom County Code, Section 3.28.020, applications for
the classification of Open Space Land are received and evaluated by staff at Whatcom
County Planning & Development Services (PDS), and the results of these evaluations are
then presented to the Whatcom County Planning Commission for their review and
consideration in making recommendations to the County Council on whether to approve the
applications in whole or in part; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to RCW 84.34.055 and WAC 458-30-330, Whatcom County has
adopted a Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) by Ordinance # 95-040, which is used by
staff to rate applications for Open Space Land; and
WHEREAS, Applications for Open Space Land and Open Space Farm & Agricultural
Conservation Land are evaluated with the Public Benefit Rating System and assigned a PBRS
score that results in a staff recommendation of approval or denial, with a score of 45 or
above required for a staff recommendation of approval; and
WHEREAS, In accordance with the Whatcom County Open Space Policies and the
PBRS, public access is a condition of approval for Open Space Land applications, except that
this requirement may be waived by the Council when the purpose of the classification is for
the conservation of wetlands or when there is a documented occurrence of a State or
Federal Threatened Endangered Species, Federal Proposed Endangered or Threatened
Species, or State Sensitive or Monitor Species, or when there is a known or potentially
significant archaeological site; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to RCW 36.70.390, the statutory requirements regarding legal
notice have been met; and
WHEREAS, The County Council has approved the following Findings of Fact and
Reasons for Action for the OSP2025-002 Lane application:
1. PDS received an application for OSL classification on a 38.64-acre parcel.
2. PDS staff conducted a site visit and evaluated the subject property according to the
PBRS, which yielded a score of 58.64.
3. PDS policy dictates that scores over 45 receive a staff recommendation for approval,
and therefore, PDS recommends approval of this Open Space application.
4. The Planning Commission reviewed the application and held a public hearing at their
March 10, 2026 meeting. The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of
the application; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that the
OSP2025-002 Lane application is hereby approved for Open Space Land classification; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that 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.
APPROVED this28thday of April , 2026
WHATCOG'ItOI)PCIL
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Cath Ablka, filet of�-the GounCil
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APPROVEQ,-A�S,TQ'�
Approved; by Gred Grednan via email on 4/28/26
9. A,
Senior DeputyrII� l3rosecuting Attorneys Office
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kaylee Kaiioway, Council Ch it