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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Page 110 <br />A. Land Grade Consideration. In Kittitas County, the most common tree species are ponderosa pine and <br />dry mixed conifer, including Douglas fir. Most of the forest lands in Kittitas County are composed of <br />land grades 4 and 5 as mapped by the Department of Natural Resources. Forest Lands of Long-Term <br />Commercial Significance shall include lands that have a predominance of land grades 3-6 (i.e., more <br />than 60% of the site has requisite land grade) as defined in WAC 458-40-530. <br />B. Other Mandatory Factors. In the designation of Forest Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance, <br />the County shall also consider and address in writing the effects of proximity to population areas and <br />the possibility of more intense uses of the subject land as indicated by (WAC 365-190-060): <br />1) The availability of public services and facilities conducive to the conversion of forest land. <br />2) The proximity of forest land to urban and suburban areas and rural settlements: Forest lands of <br />long-term commercial significance are located outside the urban and suburban areas and rural <br />settlements. <br />3) The size of the parcels: Forest lands consist of predominantly large parcels. <br />4) The compatibility and intensity of adjacent and nearby land use and settlement patterns with <br />forest lands of long-term commercial significance. <br />5) Property tax classification: Property is assessed as open space or forest land pursuant to chapter <br />84.33 or 84.34 RCW. <br />6) Local economic conditions which affect the ability to manage timberlands for long-term <br />commercial production. <br />7) History of land development permits issued nearby. <br />C. Other considerations. In determining whether land should be designated as Forest Land of Long-Term <br />Commercial Significance, the County may also consider the needs and nature of the timber industry. <br />D. Designation. Upon a determination that a tract qualifies as Forest Lands of Long-Term Commercial <br />Significance (denominated Commercial Forest Lands in the Kittitas County Code) under the definitions <br />and considerations noted above, such lands shall be so mapped in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan <br />map of Kittitas County and shall be zoned Commercial Forest lands under Kittitas County zoning code, <br />section KCC 17.57. The County's Commercial Forest zoning code, KCC 17.57, shall control uses, <br />maintenance and enhancement of the forest products industry and conserve productive forest lands <br />consistent with the needs and best practices of the industry. Lands presently mapped as “commercial <br />forest” shall retain that designation unless a specific de-designation request is filed by the owner for a <br />review under the guidelines of this Ordinance. <br />3. De-designation Criteria. <br />A. Definitions. De-designation is a change of land classification from Forest Lands of Long-Term <br />Commercial Significance to another GMA classification. <br />B. De-designation Criteria. The considerations and criteria for de-designation are the same as the <br />considerations and criteria for designation identified in sections 1 and 2 above. De-designation <br />requests may be initiated by the County or by individuals based on a request to consider (1) a mistake <br />in the original designation or (2) that factors leading to the original designation have changed, <br />rendering the site inappropriate for long-term commercially significant forest land designation.