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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1026RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington amending the City's Comprehensive Plan by adding a "Farmlands Preservation" element and revising the Comprehensive Plan map to indicate an "Agricultural" designation on certain lands. WHEREAS, the "Farmlands Preservation" element has been formulated as an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan and map; and WHEREAS, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 35A.63.073 of the Revised Code of Washington, hearings were held before the Planning Commission of the City of Kent; and WHEREAS, after the final hearing of the Planning Commission on March 8, 1983, and the final deliberations of the Planning Commission on March 29, 1983, the proposed "Farmlands Preservation" element was recommended to the City Council for adoption; and WHEREAS, the City Council considered the recommendation of the Planning Commission, and deferred action on the recommendation pending the receipt of environmental and economic impact assessments concerning agricultural planning and zoning; and WHEREAS, the City Council having received and considered the environmental impact statement and economic analysis, and received further recommendations of the Planning Commission concerning Agricultural Zoning; and WHEREAS, the City Council held public meetings on the proposed plan amendment on June 11, July 2, and July 16, 1984, and following said meetings modified the recommendations of the Planning Commission; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT, WASHINGTON DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City of Kent's Comprehensive Plan is amended to provide that the "Farmlands Preservation" element and associated map amendments attached hereto as Exhibit A are incorporated therein by reference as if fully set forth. Section 2. The "Farmlands Preservation" element of the Comprehensive Plan and associated map amendments shall be filed with the City Clerk and in the office of the Planning Department and be made available for public inspection upon request. City of Passed at a regular meeting of the City Council of the Kent Washington this /;,;.£;~day of fZ.I.tf1-?aC 1984. the City of Kent, this ~ ft Concurred in by the Mayor of day of w~~ ' 1984. ATTEST: BETT~Y, DER Y CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO FORM: P. STEENDiJULIO, TY ATTORNEY I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. /0.~6 , passed by the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, the ~~ day of ~, 1984. 01340-10 -2- EXHIBIT A recomm1 FARMLANDS PRESERVAT I 0~~ ELEME~IT OVERVIEW Tremendous urban growth has occurred in the Lower Green River Valley over the past 20 years. Much of this growth has occur- red at the expense of productive farmlands. For example, be- tween 1960-1980, over 9,000 acres of prime farmlands were lost to urbanization in the lower valley; approximately one-third of this total were Kent farmlands. Nevertheless, farming continues to be the dominant land use in the Kent Valley on the west and south sides of the Green River. This area, cut off from Kent's main industrial dis- trict by the meandering Green River, has enjoyed relatively little direct pressure to convert to nonfarm use. It is in this area where the City of Kent has chosen to focus its farmland preservation efforts. In recent years, the public has become increasingly concerned about the conversion of farmlands to nonproductive uses. In King County, this public concern resulted in voter approval of a $50 million program to purchase the development rights to eligible farmlands. The first phases of that program are now being instituted. Locally, the City of Kent initiated a study of its agricultural lands in March 1982 in order to determine the feasibility and desirability of preserving existing farmlands on the west and south sides of the Green River. Kent's study uncovered a strong farmland base in the local area: Almost 70 percent of the west and south sides of the Green River is presently in active agricultural use. This in- cludes over 1,560 acres, most of which occurs in large consolidated tracts. 1 The backbone of agriculture in the Kent area is dairy- ing, accounting for fully 85 percent of the land area. The Kent Valley area is composed of alluvial soils clas- sified by the USDA as prime agricultural soils. The long growing season in the valley allows for double-cropping of certain vegetables. Experiments are presently being conducted on local farms which are aimed at extending the growing season. Over one-half of the existing farmlands are owned by local owner-operators; corporate nonfarm ownership accounts for approximately one-quarter of existing farm- lands. Over one-third of the existing farmlands are enrolled in the current use assessment program of the Open Sp~ce Taxation Act of 1970. Virtually all existing farmlands in the Kent area are eligible to participate in the purchase of Development Rights Program authorized by King County voters in 1979. The potential profitability of farming varies with dairy- ing as the most profitable activity and vegetable grow- ing as the least. Direct marketing of vegetable pro- ducts helps to increase potential profitability. Farmlands are important to the local economy. According to USDA figures, the value of all farm products sold by King County farmers in 1978 exceeded $55 million; a substantial part of this total was sold by Kent farmers. The farminq sector also provides seasonal employment opportunities for unskilled and semi-skilled labor, particularly for minorities and teen-age children. The value of farmlands, however, goes beyond economic considerations. Farmlands play an important role in the protection of fragile natural environments such as wetlands and streams, and contribute to certain wildlife habitat needs. In addition, farmlands function as a valuable scenic and open space resource; certain types of recreational activities such as jogging, cycling, and sightseeing may be enhanced in a rural environment. For these and other reasons, the existence of farmlands in or near an urban area contri- butes to the quality and variety in the area's residential environment. To promote the long-term use of existing farmlands, it is not enough to merely designate areas which are suitable for farm- ing ~se and leave it at that. Farmland preservation efforts must also be directed at alleviating the problems which the farming sector faces. At this time, continued urban develop- ment pressures and the lack of adequate storm water drainage pose the most serious threats to the future of valley farm- lands. These, as well as other problems and opportunities, are addressed in the following general goals, objectives, and policies. Only through an integrated program which maximizes opportunities and minimizes problems can farmland preservation efforts hope to be effective. FARMLANDS DEFINED For purposes of this Comprehensive Plan element, agricultural lands are defined as lands upon which crops are produced or livestock is raised and may include houses, barns, greenhouses, and other structures related to farming activities. Agricul- ture includes both commercial and noncommercial farming activ- ities. GOAL 1: To preserve appropriate areas in thn Kent Valley for long-term farmland purposes. The purpose of this goal would be to state the City's intention of pro- tecting and preserving those areas of the city where farming is viewed as a long-term land use. Objectives and policies under this goal state- ment may be utilized to help determine such areas; therefore, the policies may in fact serve as criteria for designating suitable areas for agricul- tural land use on the comprehensive plan map. Objective 1: Designate appropriate areas on the west and south sides of the Green River for long-term farmland use. Policy 1: Consider farmlands which are eligible under the King County purchase of development rights program. Policy 2: Consider existing farmlands which are pre- sently under current use taxation, pursuant to RCW 34.84. Policy 3: Consider areas where existing farmland col- lectively comprise a contiguous area of 40+ acres. Policy 4: Consider areas which are currently zoned for exclusive agricultural use in the county. Policy 5: Consider areas where utility extensions and services do not presently accommodate high- intensity urban development. Policy 6: Consider lands which are physically separated or buffered from urban uses which may adversely impact farming activities. Policy 7s Consider areas which are not currently irrevocably committed to commercial or industrial use. Policy 8: Consider areas or land which, if committed to urban use, may significantly adversely affect farmlands. Policy 9: Consider exempting lands served or poten- tially served by rail from the agricultural designation. GOAL 2: To promote the viability of agriculture in areas designated for long-term farmland use. The purpose of this goal is to establish a local commitment to keeping agriculture economically viable. In addition to Goal 1 which seeks merely to designate areas for long-range farmland use, this goal is aimed at promoting policies and programs which help to keep farming a viable, competitive land use. 3 Objective 1: Promote the commercial feasibility of farming in that area designated for long- term agricultural use. Policy 1: Coordinate with King County on marketing assistance for local agricultural products. Policy 2: Review existing city codes and ordinances and revise, as necessary, in order to allow greater flexibility for on-farm marketing of agricultural products. Policy 3: Encourage property owners in designated farm- lands districts to apply for current use assessment under the Open Space Taxation Act of 1970, RCW 34.84. Policy 4: Inform owners of eligible Kent farmlands of the economic benefits of the King County purchase of development rights program. Policy 5: Alleviate the governmental constraints which adversely affect agricultural activities. Policy 6: Encourage agricultural practices which pro- mote the long-term productivity of the soil as a basis for a variety of agricultural activities. Objective 2: Coordinate and cooperate with other governmental jurisdictions in protecting and promoting agricultural activities in designated farmlands. Policy 1: Pursue an interlocal agreement with King County and adjoining municipalities to protect farmlands in mutually designated areas. Policy 2: Seek cooperation with other jurisdictions on land use actions near the city's fringe which may impact the long-term viability of designated farmlands. Policy 3: Consider the concerns of other governmental jurisdictions as they apply to designated farmlands. Objective 3: Alleviate the environmental constraints which adversely affect agricultural activities in areas designated for long-term farmland use. 4 Policy 11 Policy 2: Policy 3: Objective 4: Policy 1: Policy 2: Policy 3: Objective 5: Policy 1: Explore the feasibility of drainage improve- ments which would alleviate seasonal flood- ing problems on designated farmlands. Cooperate with King County on mutually beneficial drainage projects which enhance farmlands in designated areas. Cooperate with the King County Extension Service and other agencies on experimental projects which are aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity. Ensure that new urban development and utility services which are authorized by the city are compatible with the agricul- tural use of designated farmlands. Seek to mitigate the adverse impacts of development proposals which directly influ- ence designated farmlands. Water and sewer utility extension through farmlands for nonagricultural uses should generally not be allowed. In cases where such facilities traverse farmlands to serve other areas, abutting farm properties should be allowed to be exempted from assessments from such services. Public capital improvements such as roads should be designed so as to minimize impair- ment of the use of designated farmlands. Assure that Kent's farmland preservation program is compatible with private property rights. Proposals for agricultural zoning should not unreasonably constrain the use of pri- vate property.