Clallam County planning commission forwards revised open-space ordinance after debate over eligibility, public access and tax rules

The Clallam County Planning Commission voted to send an amended draft ordinance updating the county's open-space tax exemption program to the Board of County Commissioners, following extended staff presentation and commissioner discussion about eligibility criteria, administration and public-access requirements.

The proposed ordinance would tighten eligibility for the program, add an audit procedure, clarify administration under the director of community development and include rules for public access on enrolled parcels, staff said. The commission voted on the motion to send the draft as amended in a roll-call vote that recorded a majority of "yes" responses from commissioners present.

The draft would set a 4-acre minimum for eligibility in many rural cases and keep conservation easements as an automatic qualifier, staff said. Under the draft, the program's public-benefit rating table remains structured so the maximum…