HomeMy WebLinkAbout067 94
N!' P/~""",jf1j?(þ-JlI- 11
fJ fl- " ./
{1,,5 () / , i'
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
1tF~ " h~
()n~. IlP'IÓd$,ýq
IN THE MATTER OF A Resolution
relating to the interim classification
and designation of agricultural lands
of long-term commercial significance
in Jefferson County as required by
the Growth Management Act
(RCW 36.70A)
RESOLUTION NO. 67-94
WHEREAS, Jefferson County is required to Plan under the Washington State Growth
Management Act (RCW 36.70A), and
WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.170 requires the County to designate agricultural lands
that have long-term significance for the production of food or other agricultural
products, and
WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.060 requires that the County adopt development
regulations to assure the conservation of agricultural lands of long-term commercial
significance, and
WHEREAS, the Minimum Guidelines, Chapter 365-190 WAC, provide a
recommended process and standards for the classification of agricultural lands of
long-term commercial significance, and
WHEREAS, the County began a policy formation dialogue on the designation and
conservation of agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance with
interested citizens and agencies in May 1991, and
WHEREAS, a citizen workgroup published policy recommendations on the
designation and conservation of these lands in December, 1991, and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Planning Commission revised these
recommendations in January, 1992 and forwarded them to the Jefferson County
Board of Commissioners, and
WHEREAS, both the citizen workgroup policy recommendations and the
recommendations as revised by the Jefferson County Planning Commission failed
to adequately consider the following issues raised by the Jefferson County Land
Owners in June 1991; maintaining drainage, providing agriculture operations priority
of use over restrictions imposed under other proposed County ordinances, and
allowing opting out of any agricultural land designation in the event market
restructuring caused existing operations to lose commercial significance, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners held public workshops reviewing these
recommendations in February and March of 1992, and
WHEREAS, public comment was received to the effect that it was unclear how
designating agricultura11ands would provide material assistance to commercial farms
already operating in the County, and
WHEREAS, no evidence was provided to prove that agricultural lands were
threatened by development, and
WHEREAS, the minimum lot size for lands proposed for interim designation as
agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance was identical to that
provided in the "Resource Production" land use designation of the Jefferson County
Comprehensive Plan, and
1
VOL
20 r~U
r, t 077
WHEREAS, the majority of lands proposed for interim designation as agricultural
lands of long-term commercial significance were located in areas identified as
"Resource Production" by the Optimum Land Use Map for Eastern Jefferson
County, and
WHEREAS, proximity to markets is identified as a relevant criterion for the
designation of agricultural land of long-term commercial significance by the
Minimum Guidelines (Chapter 365-190-050(1)0) WAC), and
WHEREAS, the predominant agricultural activity in Jefferson County, as measured
by acres farmed and employment, is dairy farming, and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County is located approximately sixty miles from the major
regional demand centers for dairy products, and
WHEREAS, No approved facilities for processing dairy products are located on the
Olympic Peninsula, requiring that unprocessed and unpackaged milk be transported
elsewhere, and,
WHEREAS, transportation costs playa significant role in determining the commercial
viability of a dairy farming enterprise, and
WHEREAS, significant numbers of large dairy farming operations with associated
processing facilities are located in Snohomish and Skagit Counties, immediately
adjacent to the major demand centers for dairy products, and
WHEREAS, transportation costs for these dairy farms are substantially lower than
for dairy farms located in Jefferson County, and
WHEREAS, dairy farms located in Jefferson County pay more money than their
competitors to transport their raw products to markets and receive necessary non-
local inputs, and
WHEREAS, these dairy farms receive essentially the same payment for their products
as their competitors, they are receiving a relatively low rate of return (profit) on
their investments, thereby raising doubts over their ability to remain in business over
the long-term, and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners determined that these facts were
sufficient to merit the removal of agricultural lands from consideration for
classification and designation under RCW 36.70A060, and
WHEREAS, staff shortages and a change in Commissioners necessitated that all
available resources be focussed on production of an Interim Critical Areas
Ordinance, no further action was taken on agricultural lands until the Interim
Critical Areas Ordinance was adopted and draft Interim Forest and Mineral Resource
Land Conservation Ordinances were prepared for adoption.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that for the reasons stated above, the
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby determines that no agricultural
lands of long-term commercial significance can be accurately designated prior to the
adoption of the revised Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan and associated
development regulations.
2
VOl.
20 h\f,~
:\ 10'78
APPROVED this /3~ay of June, 1994.
SEAL:
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
.
.. ,
. "
. ... I
.'
A TIES T: rJ! ~ if.
LORNA L. DELANEY
ç1
3
VOI-
20 rV:
"
'.1079