HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEARING NOTICE re: Open Space Tax Application - 062226 JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Greg Ballard,Development Code Administrator
Mo-chi Lindblad, Principal Planner
DATE: June 22,2026
SUBJECT: Request for Board Approval re: Notice of Public Hearing for Open Space Tax
Application—CUA2025-00001 Jefferson Land Trust
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Resolution 50-0916-24R requires that a public hearing be held before the Board of County Commissioners(BoCC)to
approve or deny an application for classification of open space land under the Open Space Tax Program. Staff requests
that the BoCC hold this public hearing on Monday,July 20,2026,at 10:30 a.m. during the regular BoCC meeting to
hear the staff report,take public testimony,and take action to either approve or deny pending application
CUA2025-00001. Program requirements specify that notice of the public hearing must be published in a local
newspaper at least once,no fewer than ten days prior to the hearing date. The attached notice,to be scheduled for
publication on July 1,2026, satisfies this requirement.
ANALYSIS:
Staff has prepared the attached public notice and staff report reviewing and analyzing the pending application under
the Open Space Tax Program,and making recommendations to the BoCC on either approval or denial, as well as the
Public Benefit Rating for the application,which shall determine the amount of tax benefit each property owner should
receive per the Jefferson County Assessor.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This request has no fiscal impact. If approved,the pending open space applications would affect the assessed property
taxes of the parcel;however, such impacts are allowable under the program in exchange for the public benefits of
preserving and protecting open space lands. These benefits include conserving high-value lands such as critical and
environmentally sensitive areas,providing public access,supporting transfer of development rights,and advancing the
goals of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan. The parcel is currently assessed as Designated Forest Land(DFL).
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Board of Commissioners approve the attached notice for publication,and review the staff report prior to the
public hearing.
REVIEWED BY:
ii.' /ir>✓I.I4 6/16/2026
Jos D. Peters,County Administrator Date
Please publish one time: July 1, 2026
Bill to: Jefferson County Department of Community Development
621 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98620
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Current Use Open Space Tax Program Application
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing is scheduled by the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners for MONDAY, July 20, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers,
County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (HYBRID). Notice of said
hearing is to be published in the official newspaper of Jefferson County.
The Jefferson County Department of Community Development and the Assessor's Office are
processing an application for inclusion in the Open Space Tax Program under the Open Space
designation: CUA2025-00001, submitted by the Jefferson Land Trust for parcel number 602352002.
Staff requests that the Board review the staff report, hold the required public hearing, take testimony,
and approve or deny the application.
The staff report and other information is available for viewing on the County website by visiting:
www.co.jefferson.wa.us and follow this pathway—Services—Laserfiche Web Portal(username and password
is:public)-Board of Commissioners—BOCC Agenda Packets—2026 Weekly Agenda Items—07 July 2026
—072026—HEARING re Open Space Tax Application
You are welcome to participate in this hearing. You will need to join the meeting by 10:30 a.m.
using the following methods: VIRTUALLY: Via the following Zoom, link:
https://zoom.us/j/93777841705, PHONE: Dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter access code: 937-7784-
1705# and press *9 to "raise your hand" to be called upon. Access for the hearing impaired can be
accommodated using Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6384, or IN-PERSON.
In addition, written testimony is also invited beginning on July 1, 2026 through July 20,2026 at the end
of the Public Hearing,unless extended by the Board of County Commissioners. Written public testimony
may be submitted by Email to:jeffbocc@cojefferson.wa.us You may view documents and testimony
received by visiting: www.cojefferson.wa.us and following this pathway—Services—Laserfiche
Web Portal (username and password is: public)—Board of Commissioners—BOCC Agenda Packets
—2026 Weekly Agenda Items—07 July 2026—072026—HEARING re Open Space Tax Application
You can also Mail your testimony to: Jefferson County Commissioners' Office; P.O. Box 1220,Port
Townsend, WA 98368. Written testimony must be received by the Board of County Commissioners by
the end of the hearing testimony period.
Signed this 22°d day of June, 2026.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OMMISSIONERS
Greg Brotherton, Chair