SNOHOMISH COUNTY COUNCIL SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WASHINGTON MOTION NO OPEN SPACE APPLICATIONS APPROVED

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1 SNOHOMISH COUNTY COUNCIL SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WASHINGTON MOTION NO OPEN SPACE APPLICATIONS APPROVED WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Snohomish County Planning & Development Services Department have been received by this council in the matter of the following applications for OPEN SPACE-GENERAL and OPEN SPACE- TIMBERLAND classification pursuant to RCW 84.34: DAVID & CARRIE JAMES OPEN SPACE-GENERAL The subject property is comprised of approximately 9.7 acres, 8.7 of which are being recommended for approval of the Open Space-General Classification and is located approximately 2.5 miles east of the City of Stanwood, off of 28 th Avenue NW; LAWRENCE N. STEELE OPEN SPACE-TIMBER The subject property is comprised of approximately 19 acres, 18 of which are being recommended for approval of the Open Space-Timber Classification, and is located off the Mountain Loop Highway, between 267 th Avenue NE and 278 th Drive NE; PATRICIA STEELE-THORSEN OPEN SPACE-TIMBER The subject property is comprised of approximately 19 acres, 18 of which are being recommended for approval of the Open Space-Timber Classification, and is located off the Mountain Loop Highway, between 267 th Avenue NE and 278 th Drive NE; LINDA ELLINGSEN OPEN SPACE-TIMBER The subject property is comprised of approximately 10 acres, all of which are being recommended for approval of the Open Space-Timber Classification, and is located approximately 2.5 miles south of the City of Stanwood, just off of 222 nd Street NW; TOM E. MORGAN OPEN SPACE-TIMBER The subject property is comprised of approximately acres, 18 of which are being recommended for approval of the Open Space-Timber Classification, and is located just south of Kayak Lake, north of Hart s Swamp, and approximately 3/4 of a mile north of the King/Snohomish County line, southeast of Monroe; BRENDA FERDERER OPEN SPACE-GENERAL The subject property is comprised of approximately 12 acres, 11 of which are being recommended for approval of the Open Space-General Classification, and is located approximately 4 miles northeast of the City of Arlingotn, off of State Route 530. Motion No Page 1 G:ECAF\Council\ _motion

2 WHEREAS, the Council did on the day of, 2008, consider the Findings and Recommendations of the Planning & Development Services Department concerning these applications; and WHEREAS, the Planning & Development Services Department after review of these applications for OPEN SPACE and TIMBERLAND Classification pursuant to RCW has recommended that these applications be APPROVED based on the Findings of Fact as contained in the Planning Staff report, a copy of which is located in file of this date; and WHEREAS, the Snohomish County Council has this date considered in detail the files, records, findings of fact and recommendations of the Planning & Development Services Department concerning these applications for OPEN SPACE and TIMBERLAND Classification pursuant to RCW 84.34; and WHEREAS, it appears to the council that: 1. There were no irregularities in the actions taken on these applications and; 2. The Findings of the Planning & Development Services Department are in the best interest of the general welfare of the people of Snohomish County. NOW, THEREFORE, ON MOTION, the Snohomish County Council, after due consideration, hereby CONCURS with the Findings of Fact and the Recommendations of the Planning & Development Services Department and hereby APPROVES the above applications for OPEN SPACE and TIMBERLAND Classification pursuant to RCW DATED this day of, SNOHOMISH COUNTY COUNCIL Snohomish County, Washington ATTEST: Chairperson Asst. Clerk of the Council Motion No Page 2 G:ECAF\Council\ _motion

3 Snohomish County PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES M/S #604 CURRENT USE ASSESSMENT STAFF RECOMMENDATION APPLICANT: David & Carrie James ECAF #: TAX PARCEL #: ASSESSOR #:1976 ADDRESS: th Avenue NW, Stanwood, WA LEGAL DESCRIPTION: SEC 23 TWP 32 RGE 04 N1/2 W1/2 SW1/4 SW1/4 LESS W 30FT FOR CO RD (8.70 OF 9.70 ACRES) OSA 79 GPP DESIGNATION: Rural Residential - 5 ZONING: Rural - 5 ACREAGE: 9.7 acres total; requesting Open Space classification for 8.7 of 9.7 acres SITE VISIT: October 12, 2007 CLASSIFICATION REQUESTED: TRANSFER TO OPEN SPACE GENERAL RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE SITE DESCRIPTION: This nearly ten-acre parcel is located approximately 2.5 miles east of the city of Stanwood, off of 28 th Avenue NW. The property was farmland many years ago, and it has been in Open Space Farm and Agriculture classification since The Assessor s staff noted that the property is no longer being used for farming, and they will require the landowners to change the classification of the parcel or remove the property from Open Space classification in order to comply with regulations for the Current Use Taxation Program. The Jameses are the new owners of the property, and they are currently building a house on the site near the road. They filed an application for change of classification, noting that, except for the homesite, they plan to allow the remainder of the property to continue in a natural state. Mr. and Mrs. James indicated on the application that the property met various criteria for inclusion in Open Space General tax classification, including being habitat for rare species, being located in an urban area, being located in a floodplain, and containing features of unique historic, cultural, or educational value open to the public s use. The applicant also thought the site met the criteria for farm and agriculture conservation land. The site visit showed that the property is densely forested, with a house, drainfield, and driveway in a cleared area near the road. When the application for the single family residence was submitted, the Jameses filed a Wetland and Biologically Sensitive Areas report with PDS. This report, which is attached, shows that there is a Category 3 (moderate function) wetland over two acres in size with 50-foot buffers cutting diagonally across the parcel from northwest to southwest. S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1976-James\Rec_James1.doc

4 James, #1976, p. 2/2 FINDINGS: Site conditions satisfy the designation criteria and standards in SCC (14), Wetland areas of at least ¼ acres in size. Associated wetland buffers of 50-feet may also be included. SEPA REVIEW: Minor land use decisions, which include classifications of land for current use taxation under Chapter RCW, and classification and grading of forest land under Chapter RCW, are exempt from threshold determinations and SEPA EIS requirements. (SCC ) RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that 8.7 of the 9.7 acres of the subject site be reclassified as Open Space General based on the understanding that the property will remain in its current undeveloped and natural state (SCC (1)). Attachment: 1. Aerial view of tax parcel # Application 3. Wetland Report for James Property S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1976-James\Rec_James1.doc

5 Snohomish County PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES M/S #604 CURRENT USE ASSESSMENT STAFF RECOMMENDATION APPLICANT: Lawrence N. Steele ECAF #: TAX PARCEL #s: (1) ; (2) ASSESSOR #:1978 ADDRESS: (1) Unknown - Off the Mountain Loop Highway, between 267 th Ave. NE and 278 th Dr. NE; (2) Mountain Loop Highway, Granite Falls, WA LEGAL DESCRIPTION: (1) Section 02 Township 30 Range 07 Quarter SE - SEG'D FOR TAX PURPOSES ONLY - W 580FT OF SE1/4 SE1/4 LY N OF MTN LOOP HWY AS MEAS ALG N LN SD HWY TGW W 660FT SE1/4 SE1/4 LY S OF MTN LOOP HWY AS MEAS ALG S LN SD HWY EXC 4.59 ACRES & ALLOWED BLDG FOR S/C EXP ON DF-82 (14.41 ACRES); (2) Section 02 Township 30 Range 07 Quarter SE SEG D FOR TAX PURPOSES ONLY 4.59 ACRES 7 ALLOWED BLDG FOR SC EXP ON FDP; W 580FT OF SE1/4 SE1/4LY N OF MTN LOOP HWY AS MEAS ALFF N LN SD HWY TGW W 660FT SE1/4 SE1/4 LY S OF MTN LOOP HWY AS MEAS ALG S LN SD HWY REFER TO FOR REMAINDER DF 82 (3.39 AC OF 4.59 AC) GPP DESIGNATION: Rural Residential - 10 Resource Transition ZONING: Rural - 5 ACREAGE: 19.0 acres total; requesting Open Space Timber classification for 18.0 acres SITE VISIT: October 12, 2007 CLASSIFICATION REQUESTED: TRANSFER TO OPEN SPACE TIMBER RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE SITE DESCRIPTION: The applicant, Mr. Lawrence Steele, requests a transfer of tax classification from Designated Forest to Open Space Timber for 18 acres of his 19-acre forested property. The Mountain Loop Highway runs through the property, which has been segregated for tax purposes into one acre section south of the highway and one acre section north of the highway. Mr. Steele lives on the 4.59 acre northern section ( ) and his one-acre homesite is not part of this application. This 19 acre property was originally half of Mr. Steele s original parcel, which he recently divided with his daughter. The property is forested, with five forest management zones. It is gently sloping with stands of 25 to 85-year-old mixed coniferous trees that are largely Douglas fir and Western Hemlock. A detailed timber management plan covering both Mr. Steele s property and the half now in his daughter s name has been submitted with the application. S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1978-Steele\Rec_Steele1.doc

6 Steele, #1978, p. 2/2 FINDINGS: The site meets the criteria for timberland as identified in RCW (3) because it is larger than five acres and is primarily devoted to the growth and harvest of timber for commercial purposes. SEPA REVIEW: Minor land use decisions, which include classifications of land for current use taxation under Chapter RCW, and classification and grading of forest land under Chapter RCW, are exempt from threshold determinations and SEPA EIS requirements. (SCC ) RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that 18 acres of the 19-acre property be reclassified as Open Space Timber based on the understanding that the property will be used for timber management, as outlined in the attached Forest Management Plan for the Steele and Steele- Thorsen Properties. (SCC (2)). Attachments: 1. Aerial view of parcel numbers and Application and Forest Stewardship Plan S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1978-Steele\Rec_Steele1.doc

7 Snohomish County PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES M/S #604 CURRENT USE ASSESSMENT STAFF RECOMMENDATION APPLICANT: Patricia Steele-Thorsen ECAF #: TAX PARCEL #: ASSESSOR #:1979 ADDRESS: Unknown - Off the Mountain Loop Highway, between 267 th Ave. NE and 278 th Dr. NE LEGAL DESCRIPTION: SEC 02 TWP 30 RGE 07 E 580FT OF W 1160FT OF SE1/4 SE1/4 LY N OF MTN LOOP HWY AS MEAS ALG N LN SD HWY TGW E 660FT SE1/4 SE1/4 LY S OF MTN LOOP HWY AS MEAS ALG S LN SD HWY (18.00 OF ACRES) DF-82 GPP DESIGNATION: Rural Residential -10 Resource Transition ZONING: Rural - 5 ACREAGE: 19.0 acres total; requesting Open Space Timber classification for 18.0 acres SITE VISIT: October 12, 2007 CLASSIFICATION REQUESTED: TRANSFER TO OPEN SPACE TIMBER RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE SITE DESCRIPTION: The applicant, Ms. Patricia Steele-Thorsen, requests a transfer of tax classification from Designated Forest to Open Space Timber for 18 acres of her 19-acre forested property. This property is the eastern half of her father s original parcel, which he recently divided with her. The Mountain Loop Highway runs through the property, though only one parcel number is assigned. Ms. Steele plans a homesite on the property and is excluding one acre from the application on that basis. The property is forested, with six forest management zones. There is a forested wetland in the southeastern corner. The property is gently sloping with stands of 25 to 85-year-old mixed coniferous trees that are largely Douglas fir and Western Hemlock. One of the stands on this property is relatively young, and has some vine maple within it. A detailed timber management plan covering both Mr. Steele s and Ms. Steele-Thorsen s property has been submitted with the application. FINDINGS: The site meets the criteria for timberland as identified in RCW (3) because it is larger than five acres and is primarily devoted to the growth and harvest of timber for commercial purposes. SEPA REVIEW: Minor land use decisions, which include classifications of land for current use taxation under Chapter RCW, and classification and grading of forest land under Chapter RCW, are exempt from threshold determinations and SEPA EIS requirements. (SCC ) S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1979-SteeleThorsen\Rec_Steele Thorsen1.doc

8 Steele-Thorsen, #1979, p. 2/2 RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that 18 acres of the 19 acres of this property be reclassified as Open Space Timber based on the understanding that the property will be used for timber management, as outlined in the attached Forest Management Plan for the Steele and Steele-Thorsen Properties. (SCC (2)). Attachments: 1. Aerial view of parcel number Application and Forest Stewardship Plan S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1979-SteeleThorsen\Rec_Steele Thorsen1.doc

9 Snohomish County PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES M/S #604 CURRENT USE ASSESSMENT STAFF RECOMMENDATION APPLICANT: Linda Ellingsen ECAF #: TAX PARCEL #: ASSESSOR #: 1981 PROPERTY ADDRESS: Unknown LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Section 05, Township 31, Range 04 Quarter SW SEG D FOR TAX PURPOSES ONLY S1/2 E1/2 SE1/4 SW1/4 REFER TO FOR REMAINDER DF GPP DESIGNATION: Rural Residential - 5 ZONING: Rural - 5 ACREAGE: 10 acres (½ of 20 acres) SITE VISIT: October 12, 2007 CLASSIFICATION REQUESTED: TRANSFER TO OPEN SPACE TIMBER RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE SITE DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located approximately 2.5 miles south of the city of Stanwood, just off of 222 nd St. NW. The applicant, Ms. Ellingsen, inherited the south half (ten acres) of a twenty-acre property that has been in Designated Forest tax classification since The property is entirely forested with a slightly rolling terrain. It is largely composed of 80+ yearold Douglas fir, with some Western Hemlock and Red Cedar mixed in. Some commercial thinning has occurred on-site and as a result red alder is now present in these areas. A bald eagle management area is estimated to occur within 300 feet of the northwest corner of the property. Ms. Ellingsen plans to continue managing this land for timber production, and has submitted a detailed timber management plan. FINDINGS: The site meets the criteria for timberland as identified in RCW (3) because it is larger than five acres and is primarily devoted to the growth and harvest of timber for commercial purposes. SEPA REVIEW: Minor land use decisions, which include classifications of land for current use taxation under Chapter RCW, and classification and grading of forest land under Chapter RCW, are exempt from threshold determinations and SEPA EIS requirements. (SCC ) S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\Rec_Ellingsen L1.doc

10 Ellingsen, L., #1981, p. 2/2 RECOMMENDATION: Ms. Ellingsen submitted her application for reclassification from Designated Forest to Open Space-Timber on July 11, At that time, the Assessor s Office informed Ms. Ellingsen that a timber management plan for her ten-acre property must be received within 60 days for the application to be recommended for approval, per WAC (7)(b). Ms. Ellingsen informed the Assessor s Office that she had contracted for a timber management plan, but that it may take longer due to the workload of the certified forester consultant. She was granted a 30 day extension and submitted the qualifying plan within that time. Staff recommends that this ten-acre property, parcel # , be reclassified as Open Space Timber based on the understanding that the property will be used for timber management, as outlined in the attached Timber and Forest Management Plan. (SCC (2)). Attachments: 1. Aerial view of parcel number Memo of October 3, 2007, with handwritten note of acceptance of Timber Management Plan 3. Application and Timber and Forest Management Plan S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\Rec_Ellingsen L1.doc

11 Snohomish County PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES M/S #604 CURRENT USE ASSESSMENT STAFF RECOMMENDATION APPLICANT: Tom E. Morgan ECAF #: TAX PARCEL #: ASSESSOR #:1983 ADDRESS: E. Lake Kayak Dr., Monroe, WA LEGAL DESCRIPTION: SEC 32 TWP 27 RGE 07 LOT 3 OF SURVEY REC IN VOL 20 OF SURVEYS PG 9 UND AF NO BEING PTN SE1/4 SE1/4 (18.00 OF 19.74) ACRES DF-76 GPP DESIGNATION: Low Density Rural Residential ZONING: Forestry ACREAGE: 18.0 acres; requesting Open Space classification of 18.0 of acres SITE VISIT: October 13, 2007 CLASSIFICATION REQUESTED: TRANSFER TO OPEN SPACE TIMBER RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE SITE DESCRIPTION: This property covers almost twenty acres and is located just south of Kayak Lake, north of Hart s Swamp, and approximately ¾ of a mile north of the King/Snohomish County line, southeast of Monroe. The property is within a rural area, just one property west of the Commercial Forest Forest Transition Area. It has been in Designated Forest tax classification since An audit by the Assessor s Office revealed that the property should not have been in that classification, since it requires a minimum of 20 acres entirely devoted to timber production. The landowner, Mr. Morgan, was notified of this discrepancy, and his house, guest house, and sheds were noted on the property. Mr. Morgan willingly obtained a timber management plan, and is submitting it with this application for consideration for a transfer of 18 acres from Designated Forest tax classification to the more-appropriate Open Space Timber classification. Nearly two acres are excluded from this application, based on Mr. Morgan s clearing and several buildings onsite. The Morgan property has a ridge in the center that follows a gentle curve from north and south. To the west of the ridge is a non-fish-bearing stream. Red alder appears throughout the property, with areas of Douglas fir and Western Hemlock. Mr. Morgan will be replanting more Douglas fir and Red Cedar, and harvesting some alder. Near the house and guest house, Mr. Morgan has several collections of junk vehicles. He was asked to remove those that had rusted because of their potential to pollute the groundwater and his own well. S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1983-Morgan\Rec_Morgan1.doc

12 Morgan, #1983, p. 2/2 FINDINGS: The site meets the criteria for timberland as identified in RCW (3) because it is larger than five acres and is primarily devoted to the growth and harvest of timber for commercial purposes. SEPA REVIEW: Minor land use decisions, which include classifications of land for current use taxation under Chapter RCW, and classification and grading of forest land under Chapter RCW, are exempt from threshold determinations and SEPA EIS requirements. (SCC ) RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that 18 of the acres of this property be reclassified as Open Space Timber, based on the understanding that the property will be used for timber management, as outlined in the attached Forest Stewardship Management Plan, and the rusted vehicles will be removed. (SCC (2)). Attachments: 1. Aerial view of parcel number Application and Forest Land Management Plan S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1983-Morgan\Rec_Morgan1.doc

13 Snohomish County PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES M/S #604 CURRENT USE ASSESSMENT STAFF RECOMMENDATION APPLICANT: Brenda Ferderer ECAF #: TAX PARCEL #: ASSESSOR #: 1987 ADDRESS: State Route 530 NE, Arlington, WA LEGAL DESCRIPTION: SEC 15 TWP 32 RGE 06 RT-14) BAAP 528FT N OF SE COR OF NE1/4 SW1/4 TH CONT N 792FT TO N LN SD SUB TH W TO E LN S/HY TH SLY ALG S/HY TAP DUE W OF TPB TH E TO TPB OSA-76 TO OST-90 GPP DESIGNATION: Low Density Rural Residential ZONING: Forestry ACREAGE: 11 of 12 acres SITE VISIT: October 12, 2007 CLASSIFICATION REQUESTED: TRANSFER TO OPEN SPACE GENERAL RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE SITE DESCRIPTION: This 12-acre property is located approximately 4 miles northeast of the City of Arlington, off of State Route 530. Eleven acres of the property have been in an Open Space classification since 1976 (originally Open Space Farm & Agriculture and, since 1990, in Open Space Timber). Ms. Ferderer has a home on the site, along with a carport, woodshed, and tool shed. She plans to add a garage in the future. This property was recently purchased by Ms. Ferderer, who does not want to continue to use the land for commercial growth and harvest of timber, and requests a transfer of tax classification to Open Space General. The property is steeply sloped from west to east, with the highest point on the eastern slope. It is almost entirely covered with coniferous trees, primarily Douglas fir, with some Western Hemlock and Red Cedar. FINDINGS: The applicant indicated that the site met several criteria for Open Space General classification based on the site being within an urban area, which it is not. Upon reviewing the application, staff noted that the property clearly does meet criteria #18, since the majority of the site contains steep slopes that are considered to be geologically hazardous. SEPA REVIEW: Minor land use decisions, which include classifications of land for current use taxation under Chapter RCW, and classification and grading of forest land under Chapter RCW, are exempt from threshold determinations and SEPA EIS requirements. (SCC ) S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1987Federer\Rec_Ferderer2.doc

14 Federer, #1987, p.2/2 RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that 11 of the 12 acres of the Ferderer property be classified as Open Space General based on the understanding that the property will remain in its current undeveloped and natural state (SCC (1)). 1. Aerial of parcel number Aerial of parcel number , with elevation contours 2. Application S:\Planning\Open Space\Fall 2007\#1987Federer\Rec_Ferderer2.doc

STAFF REPORT. Permit Number: Tallman. Kitsap County Board of Commissioners; Kitsap County Planning Commission

STAFF REPORT. Permit Number: Tallman. Kitsap County Board of Commissioners; Kitsap County Planning Commission STAFF REPORT Permit Number: 15 00742 Tallman DATE: November 9, 2015 TO: FROM: RE: Kitsap County Board of Commissioners; Kitsap County Planning Commission Katrina Knutson, AICP, Senior Planner, DCD and