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Planning commission backs Falcone–Nagle open‑space tax exemption, forwards recommendation to commissioners
Summary
The Kitsap County Planning Commission recommended approval of an open‑space current‑use tax exemption for the Falcone–Nagle property near Poulsbo after staff found qualifying wetlands, streams and steep slopes; commissioners asked staff to verify the location and permitting of a treehouse listed online and to remove an unpermitted stormwater pipe.
The Kitsap County Planning Commission voted on June 2 to recommend approval of Open Space application 26‑00056 for Joseph Falcone and Lucia Nagle, a request to reclassify roughly 14 of 15.12 acres to current‑use open space for tax purposes.
Jason R. Walsh, a planner with the Kitsap County Department of Community Development, told commissioners the parcel qualifies under state and county criteria (RCW 84.34 and Kitsap County Code 18.12) because staff identified two high‑priority resources — wetlands and a fish‑bearing stream — plus other qualifying features including hydric soils and steep slopes. “The request is to transfer 14 of 15.12 acres … by the assessor to current use open space,” Walsh said.
Why it matters: open‑space designation reduces the assessed land value for property‑tax purposes and shifts a portion of the tax burden pro‑rata to other taxpayers while preserving natural resources. Walsh told the commission the approval would yield a 50% reduction to the land value under current rules; the property owners did not request the public‑access option that would have provided an additional 10% reduction.
Commissioners asked staff several verification questions before voting. David Vliet and others raised that an online listing shows a “treehouse” or Airbnb‑style rental on the property. Walsh said staff noted the structure during the site visit and would confirm whether it lies within the portion of the parcel the applicants intend to keep as single‑family residential (which would not be included in the open‑space acreage) and whether permits exist. Walsh also described an 8‑inch PVC pipe from an adjacent parcel that discharges into a wetland; he said removal was recommended as a condition of approval and that negotiation with the neighboring owner is a civil matter.
Commissioner Fenner asked about the minimum designation period and tax consequences. Walsh said the minimum designation is 10 years and that, after that period, designation automatically extends unless owners remove the parcels; if owners remove the designation after the initial 10‑year minimum, no back taxes are owed. Walsh added that taxes are not impacted until the next fiscal year (2027), so there would be no retroactive tax benefit if disqualifying uses were discovered before then.
The commission opened the public hearing on the application; no members of the public testified. During deliberations, a motion to approve the application was moved and seconded and the commission recorded five aye votes with one opposed; the motion carried and the recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners. The commission later approved the findings of fact related to the application unanimously.
Next steps: staff will follow up to confirm the treehouse’s location and permitting status and to incorporate any conditions (including removal of the unpermitted pipe) into the record before the Board of County Commissioners takes final action.
