Planning commission recommends two parcels for open-space tax classification

The Clallam County Planning Commission recommended approval of two current-use/open-space assessment applications and will forward the recommendation to the Board of Clallam County Commissioners.

Planner Enrique (speaker 11) described the first application (applicant Richard Kelly) as a roughly 17-acre vacant parcel that meets the county’s open-space farm and agriculture classification. He said the new-application tax shift would be “approximately $2,000” and noted the owner signed the required agreement: the parcel must either convert into regular farm & ag classification within seven years or be removed from the open-space program.

The second application covers a 30-acre parcel (Ward and Rita Willetts) with 29 acres proposed for open-space. That property includes a conservation easement held by North Olympic Land Trust that removes development and subdivision rights; staff estimated the tax shift for this application at roughly $3,554. Staff recommended the commission forward both applications with a positive recommendation.

A motion to recommend approval was made and seconded; the commission took a voice vote and the Chair announced the motion passed. The recommendation will go to the Board of Clallam County Commissioners for final action.