OS-21-00035 KCT Staff Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Kittitas County Code (KCC) 3.46.080 outlines the process for open space benefit consideration. Section 5 reads: “In determining whether an application for open space land classification or reclassification should be approved all or in part as stipulated in RCW 84.34.037, the Board of Commissioners will take cognizance of the benefits to the general welfare of preserving the current use of the property which is the subject of application, and shall consider at a minimum the following: a. The resulting revenue loss or tax shift; -Kittitas County Assessor Information indicates a 2022 Market Value Assessment of $409,150 for parcel 385135. The recommendation of this staff report is an 85% reduction in market value (See section V of this Report). This would result in a reduction of $347,777.50 and produce a taxable market value of $61,372.50. b. Whether granting the application will: i. Conserve or enhance natural, cultural, or scenic resources; ii. Protect streams, stream corridors, wetlands, natural shorelines, floodways and aquifers; iii. Protect geologically hazardous, landslide, or seismic areas; iv. Protect soil resources and unique or critical wildlife and native plant habitat; v. Promote conservation principles by example or by offering educational opportunities; vi. Enhance the value of abutting or neighboring parks, forest, wildlife preserves, nature reservations, sanctuaries, or other open space; vii. Preserve historic and archaeological sites; viii. Preserve visual quality along highway, road, and street corridors or scenic vistas; and ix. Affect any other factors relevant in weighing benefits to the general welfare of preserving the current use of the property”. Each value listed in KCC 3.46.080 applies to evaluation criteria listed in KCC 3.46.090: “i. Conserve or enhance natural, cultural, or scenic resources” Subsections of KCC 3.46.090 relevant to this value include 1d.Special Animal Sites: “d. Special Animal Sites. (Up to 3 points) i. Definition. Habitat for those animal species defined by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) as being either an endangered, threatened or sensitive species or those animal species identified as Level I Habitat on the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Priority Habitat Species (PHS) maps. ii. Source. Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Kittitas County Planning and Building Department's Critical Area maps. iii. Eligibility. Eligible sites are those with a documented occurrence of an endangered, threatened or sensitive species, or those animal species identified as Level I Habitat on the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Priority Habitat Species (PHS) Maps. Those properties with less than fifty percent (50%) of the property within identified special animal sites will receive two (2) points and those with fifty percent (50%) or more will receive (3) points.” Staff Analysis Geographic Information Systems analysis shows that almost the entire parcel falls within Priority Habitat Species Classification according to Critical Area Maps. 3 points can be awarded for Special Habitat Sites. ii. Protect streams, stream corridors, wetlands, natural shorelines, floodways and aquifers; Passages in KCC 3.46.090 relevant to this value include 1c: Shoreline Environments, 1f: Category I and II wetlands, 1g,: Major Lakes, Ponds, and Streams and 1h:, Floodplains and Floodways.