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TDR in Kittitas County


On this page:
  • Background
  • Press & Action Alerts
  • Other Resources & Information
  • Contacts

    • Background

    With an abundance of natural beauty and important resource industries, Kittitas is one of the most picturesque and productive counties in Washington.  Over the years, these characteristics have helped to define the county, establish an economy, and support a lifestyle appreciated by locals and visitors alike. 

    Testimony to its attractiveness, the county has experienced dramatic growth in recent years, particularly in its rural areas.  Although economic and population growth can bring a variety of benefits to the county, it can also bring challenges to the county's rural economy and its lifestyle through the conversion of working lands to housing and development.  Looking to the future, this growth is expected to continue, adding land conversion pressures that affect resource-based industries.

    As a voluntary, market-based tool, transfer of development rights (TDR) creates new options for landowners while supporting a growing population.  Success for the program is a situation in which future growth is responsibly planned, property rights are protected, and rural landowners are fairly compensated for keeping their land viable for production.

     


    Press & Action Alerts

    Board of County Commissioners Votes to Initiate a Public Process to Discuss TDR

    The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on August 25 to move the proposed TDR program into a public process. 

    In a subsequent Community Development Services email alert, Director Darryl Piercy wrote:

    Hello to all,

    Below you will find the link to the final report and recommendations  from our working partnership with the Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) regarding the Transfer of Development Rights.  We are seeking your review and comments.   We anticipate conducting public hearings with the Planning Commission in early fall of 2008 leading to review and public hearings by Board of County Commissioners later this year.   We will keep you informed of upcoming meetings where your thoughts can be heard.   In the meantime, any feedback by way of email or written correspondence regarding this document is  appreciated.

    http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/landuse.asp

     You will find the documents under the LAND USE heading

    In addition to the upcoming, formal review and comment period, Kittitas County residents are encouraged to contact Community Development Services or CLC with questions or comments.

    Findings and Recommendations Provided to Board of County Commissioners

    Cascade Land Conservancy provided its research findings and TDR program recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on July 25, 2008.

    Copies of the report and maps can be downloaded here:

    Report


    Low-resolution Maps (smaller files)
    High-resolution Maps (larger files)
    For compressed file users: Download the report and all three high-res maps above in one download (.zip) here

    An economic analysis supplement to this report investigating development right values in the county will be delivered to the county in September 2008.


    ARTICLE: "New land use tool for county presented" 

    by Mike Johnston, the Daily Record (May 1, 2008) 

    ARTICLE: "TDRs are worth thorough examination" (.pdf)
    Daily Record Op Ed (May 2, 2008)

     

    Other Resources & Information

     

    Questions?

    Please contact Skip Swenson at 206-905-6935 or skips@cascadeland.org