King County’s innovative Transfer of Development Credits Program receives “Partnership” award for Issaquah project

The King County-Issaquah Transfer of Development Credits (TDC) Project is being recognized with an award from the Washington State Chapter of the American Planning Association in the “Partnership” category. The award ceremony takes place today in Yakima.

The primary intent of King County’s TDC Program is to facilitate voluntary transfers of development credits out of the rural area to reduce costly sprawl and protect forests and farms. The success of this transaction has jump-started the TDC Program, creating a market in development credits and creating new opportunities for working cooperatively with cities within the region.

“It is an honor for the King County TDC Program to be recognized by the American Planning Association,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “As the first interjurisdictional transfer in the Northwest, the Issaquah Project has opened doors to discussions with other cities within the region, especially in our mutual efforts to permanently preserve salmon habitat and forestland.”

The Issaquah TDC Project, involved the sale of 62 “development rights” from the 313-acre McCormick Forest to Port Blakely, the developer of the Issaquah Highlands inside the city of Issaquah. At a minimal cost to the public, the permanently preserved 313-acres includes lands with significant salmon and wildlife habitat, and is a critical link in a regional network of 2,700 acres of public lands.

The King County Open Space Office estimated the value of the property at $4 million. Port Blakely paid $3.75 million to purchase the development credits and provide road improvements. King County acquired ownership for $250,000. The public costs for permanent preservation represent only 6.25% of the estimated value of the land.

“I believe in working together, especially with such an effective partner as County Executive, Ron Sims,” said Ava Frisinger, Mayor of Issaquah. “Issaquah has helped preserve a 313-acre forest for public trail access and an important wildlife corridor that will benefit the City for generations to come, a true legacy. This is a unique example of governmental collaboration for a mutual benefit to our citizens. We are exploring other transfer of development credit opportunities with King County to protect other lands which are important for Issaquah and important for salmon,” continued Frisinger.

This public-private partnership, completed and celebrated in March of this year, was the first interjurisdictional transfer of development credits project in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Typifying regional cooperation, the project was the result of a citizen-driven land preservation effort, launched in 1996 and endorsed by the Metropolitan King County Council in 1997. Throughout 1999, King County, in partnership with the City of Issaquah, Port Blakely Communities, the landowner of Mitchell Hill, the Hooker Family Trust, and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, worked together to bring this innovative project to completion.

The Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association is an organization of people with an interest in land use, housing, transportation, environmental, and social planning. Among others, our membership includes citizen planners, planning commissioners and other planning officials, and professional planners within the State of Washington and elsewhere.

The American Planning Association is the result of a merger between the American Institute of Planners, founded in 1917, and the American Society of Planning Officials, established in 1934. The organization has 46 regional chapters and 17 divisions of specialized planning interests. The Association’s objective is to encourage planning that will contribute to public well-being by developing communities and environments that meet the needs of people and society more effectively.

Updated: Oct. 3, 2000