Building_development

1:16:07 Now we're moving on to approval of three open space applications for current use assessment. So Kevin and Hunter, please tell us all about this. Good morning, counselors. For the record, Kevin Tyler, division manager for the lands management division in Clark County Public Works. With me today is Hunter Decker, our County Forester. And today we will present to you the 2025 to 2026 current use open space applications. Late in 2025, we received three applications, two for historic sites and one for stream protection. The application for a stream protection needs to be pulled. This application is associated with a planned unit development known as Schnell Farms.

1:17:01 And between the time that these applications went to the planning commission work session and hearing, and now the plat was recorded for that Schnell's Farm PUD. And the portion of the property subject to the open space application was split into two separate tracks. And each of those tracks are less than 10 acres, which does not meet one of the county code criteria for approval of an open space application. And so we are working with the developer to see what other options there might be. So we're pulling that application today. So you will see references to three applications and information in the hearing packet regarding the stream protection application. And again, that application has been pulled. And so we have provided revised materials for the presentation and a resolution to just

1:17:57 address the two historic open space applications. And with that, I'm going to turn it over to Hunter to run through the presentation. And we'll do our best to answer any questions that you may have. Thanks. Good morning, counselors. Again, my name is Hunter Decker. I'm the Clark County Forester for Public Works. And today, I'm going to present to you the 2025 current use assessment request for the open space classification. So what is open space? Open space program originates from the Open Space Taxation Act, which was created by the Washington state legislator to maintain, preserve, and conserve open space lands for the benefit of natural resources, scenic beauty, and the overall well-being of the public. So the program is governed by state law RCW 84.34 and WAC 458-30, along with Clark County

1:18:57 Code Chapter 3.08. The state program includes three classifications, open space land, farm and agriculture land, and timber land. And timber land was merged with our designated forest land program in 2024. So tonight's presentation only addresses the open space land classifications, not farm or timber. Next slide, please. So the current use applications are reviewed jointly by the Assessor's Office and Public Works. The applications are typically submitted toward the end of the calendar year, preceding the assessment year. And then the requests are processed in the same manner as the comprehensive plan amendment as required by RCW 84.34.037. This means the request must be reviewed by the Planning Commission before being forwarded to the Clark County Council for final approval.

1:19:56 And so this year makes the 35th year that the county has reviewed these applications for the assessment. Next slide, please. The current use program's been in place since 1970 and is intended to help preserve open space lands, the natural resources and scenic values that relate to the public benefit. Historically, Clark County has enrolled thousands of acres in open space. And so for example here, since I've been on, I got a couple numbers for 2019. We've had 8,796 acres enrolled over 582 owners. And then as of this year, with some updated numbers, we have -- sorry, it looks like this slide didn't get updated.

1:20:46 So the 2026 numbers are 8,171 acres and 584 owners, not 4,625 and 245.