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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 agricultural land designation. <br />C. A de-designation request shall provide a legal description ofthe property subject to the request and <br />map showing the agricultural land grades listed above for the property. The request shall specifically <br />address each of the factors above deemed pertinent to the consideration of designation and de- <br />designation. <br />4 . Applications and Processing. <br />A. Applications for the designation of Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance shall be <br />docketed with the planning department for annual consideration by the Kittitas County Planning <br />Commissioners and Board of County Commissioners as a change to the County comprehensive plan <br />and map in accordance with Chapter 15.8 of the Kittitas County Code. Applications for de-designations <br />of Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance must be accompanied, and processed <br />along with, a specific development application. <br />B. In determining a request to designate or de-designate Agricultural Land of Long-Term Commercial <br />Significance, the County may consider the needs and nature of the agriculture industry (Lewis County <br />v. Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Bd., 157 Wn.2d 488, 139 P.3d 1096 (2006)). <br />C. In considering a request for de-designation, the County shall make the same considerations as in <br />designating lands under the provisions of Section 2 above (City of Redmond v. Central Puget Sound <br />Growth Management Hearings Board, 116 Wn. App. 48, 65 P.3d 337 (2003) (Benaroya II). <br />D. In addition to such considerations as may be undertaken by the County under these provisions, the <br />County shall address in writing: (1) the factors that warrant the designation or de-designation, and (2) <br />how the action meets the objectives of Goal 8 of GMA (RCW 36.70A.020(8)) to maintain and enhance a <br />productive agriculture industry and to encourage the conservation of productive agricultural lands and <br />to discourage incompatible uses when making a decision on designation or de-designation of <br />Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance. <br />Following are policies to protect and ensure continued employment of Commercial Agricultural land use. <br />RR-P116: The County will oppose laws and regulations which restrict agriculture and support laws and <br />regulations which enhance agriculture. <br />RR-P117: The County should develop a study area where the various Rural land use designations and the <br />Commercial Agriculture designation interface occurs which may lead to the development of a Commercial <br />Agriculture Transition Zone overlay. The study area should consider but not be limited to: <br />• Strategies that site land use activities within or adjacent to Commercial Agriculture lands that <br />minimize conflicts with agricultural activities. <br />• Effectiveness of Transfer of Development Rights from Commercial Agriculture to Rural lands. <br />• Use of Cluster Development to minimize impacts. <br />• Use of open space to act as a "buffer" between Rural and Commercial Agriculture designations. <br />Page 106