Mercer Island council approves increased PBRS tax reduction for 5045 Forest Ave SE
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Summary
After a public hearing and staff presentation, the council approved a King County Public Benefit Rating System application to raise the tax reduction on 2.91 acres at 5045 Forest Avenue SE from 80% to 90%; the change takes effect for the 2026 tax year.
Mercer Island City Council on May 20 approved a King County Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) application that raises the property tax reduction on 2.91 acres at 5045 Forest Avenue Southeast from 80% to 90%, with the change effective for the 2026 fiscal year.
The PBRS program, administered by King County, offers tax reductions to private landowners who voluntarily protect open-space resources. Planning staff and King County program staff presented the application during a public hearing; no members of the public spoke on the item. Planner Grace Manahan and CPD Director Jeff Thomas summarized the application record; Bill Bernstein, PBRS program manager for King County, was available to answer technical questions.
Council members questioned whether field verification of wetlands and streams had been completed and whether the enrolled acreage might limit future development. Staff said the city relied on a 2015 third‑party reconnaissance in the record and that any development affecting enrolled acreage would require exiting (or partially exiting) the program and could trigger financial remuneration tied to the benefit received. Staff also said the application excludes the parcel’s residence and cabin from the enrolled acreage and that the owners declined to include public access as part of the application. King County held a public hearing March 20 and approved the application May 13; Mercer Island’s approval completes the local granting authority step.
Councilmember questions focused on (1) the degree of public benefit when no public access is provided, (2) criteria used to award PBRS points, and (3) whether enrolling the land shifts tax costs to other island property owners. County staff explained PBRS awards points mainly for resource protections (forest cover, critical‑area buffers, wildlife habitat) and that city tax levies collect a set revenue target so the deferred taxes are effectively distributed across other taxpayers.
The council voted to adopt Resolution No. 1674 approving the PBRS current‑use assessment for 2.91 acres at 5045 Forest Avenue SE. Vote tally: Mayor Saleem Nees — Aye; Councilmember Weicker — Aye; Deputy Mayor Rosenbaum — Aye; Councilmember Reynolds — Aye; Councilmember Andral — Abstain; Councilmember Weinberg — Aye. The city will execute the open‑space taxation agreement after King County records the final documents, and the tax change will take effect in 2026.
The planning division will provide the recorded agreement and map to the assessor’s office as required.