Posted: March 18, 2009 14:05:29 PST
A recent analysis recommends City officials move forward to strengthen its transfer of development rights program to help protect Lake Whatcom water quality, so that a viable system is in place when the economy improves and provides more favorable conditions. This is one of several conclusions drawn in a report commissioned by the City of Bellingham, which will be reviewed by the Planning Commission beginning in April.
The City of Bellingham has implemented a number of measures over the years to protect and improve water quality in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. One of the most successful of these measures is the Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program. To date, the City has expended more than 18 million dollars to purchase or protect 1,450 acres of land, with a total of about 700 development rights.
Another Lake Whatcom protection measure that has been discussed for some time is a transfer of development rights (TDR) program. The goal of this program is to set up a system to allow private property owners to transfer existing residential development rights from the watershed to other areas of the city where development is preferred.
City and Whatcom County officials have designated a number of areas preferred for development, called "TDR receiving zones". A good example is the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program recently adopted in the Old Town urban village area. Another example is the Bakerview/James (King Mt.) area, annexed on March 6, which is the largest TDR receiving zone in the City.
"The time is right to review the existing TDR program to determine what changes might help the program be more successful," said Tim Stewart, Planning & Community Development Director.
In 2008, Planning staff contracted with Greg Easton of Property Counselors in order to gain an independent review and feasibility analysis of the current TDR program. The focus of the analysis is on the recently annexed TDR receiving zones (like the Bakerview/James area). Although Easton concludes that a TDR program is not likely to be successful given current market conditions and current zoning in the annexed areas, he recommends that the City set up the program so that it is in place when more favorable market conditions occur.
The report further concludes that a PDR program, similar to the one adopted in Old Town, should be considered for the annexed areas. Such a program could allow property owners/developers in the receiving zones to purchase additional density by contributing to the City's Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program. The City would then use those funds to purchase additional property and/or development rights in the watershed.
Staff will review the TDR/PDR report, conclusions and recommendations with the Planning Commission beginning on April 9, followed by review by the Bellingham City Council.
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Media Contact:
Greg Aucutt, Senior Planner
Planning & Community Development Department
(360) 778-8344
gaucutt@cob.org
