Thurston County amends code to prioritize affordable-housing use of surplus property; adds neighbor notice after public comment on Burfoot Park

Thurston County commissioners on June 17 adopted an ordinance amending Thurston County Code 2.104 to create a special disposition process for county real property surplus to county needs when transfer would result in a public benefit, including support for affordable housing and temporary housing or services for people experiencing homelessness.

County staff said the change aligns local procedures with the statutory framework set out in state law. The ordinance adds a 30‑day notification requirement to allow property owners in the vicinity of a surplus parcel to receive notice before any transfer action is finalized.

Why it matters: The amended code creates an explicit pathway for the county to consider public-benefit transfers of surplus real property — for example, to support affordable housing projects or essential public services — and it establishes a formal notice period for neighbors. County staff framed the change as a tool to contribute land resources toward local housing goals while balancing transparency for nearby residents.

Public comment and local parks context: During the meeting Kim Kelly, a resident of northeast Thurston County, spoke during the agenda‑item public comment period about treatment of surplus property and thanked the board for the ordinance change and for removing eight county‑owned acres north of Burfoot Park from surplus consideration. Kelly said the Burfoot Park expansion committee and Boston Harbor Association are working to acquire adjacent privately owned parcels and to donate them to the county for park expansion.

Kelly asked commissioners to prioritize updating the county parks, open-space and trails plan (the current plan dates to May 2020), to increase parks maintenance staffing to peer standards and to reestablish a parks and recreation department with a citizen advisory committee so the county can qualify for state recreation grants and meet public-maintenance expectations. In the meeting she said, “I'm really happy to see the democratic process working here in Thurston County,” and requested the county find funding to update the parks plan before eligibility for certain state funds lapses.

Commissioners noted they had heard public comments during prior hearings and thanked staff for modifying the ordinance to include the 30‑day notification provision. A county staff member told commissioners the ordinance change had been part of a public hearing in May and that the added notification language responds to concerns raised by residents.

What the ordinance does not do: The ordinance establishes a process but does not itself transfer any parcel. Commissioners and staff clarified that individual property transfers will be considered under the new process; specific transfers will require separate proposals, public notice and any approvals required by county rules or state law.

Next steps: County staff will implement the notice process required by the ordinance and carry forward any future surplus-property proposals under the amended code. The board directed staff to proceed with code updates and follow-up implementation steps, and to report back as necessary.

Speakers quoted and in record: Kim Kelly (public commenter) and county staff presenting the ordinance during the meeting; commissioners acknowledged public input and the change to the notice period.