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Planning commission recommends open‑space classification for Gardner and McCown parcels after public support and table corrections requested
Summary
After staff described two Open Space Tax Program applications and the parcels’ eligibility under RCW 84.34, neighbors and commissioners urged clarifications on tax-shift calculations and environmental checks; the commission voted to recommend approval of the Gardner and McCown enrollments.
Thurston County planning staff presented two Open Space Tax Program applications and the Planning Commission voted June 17 to recommend approval of classifying 33.37 acres and 155.2 acres of the Gardner Revocable Living Trust and the McCown properties for current-use open-space taxation.
Marissa Wessman of Community Planning said the applicants propose to enroll 33.37 and 155.2 acres respectively in the Farm and Agricultural Conservation Land category; staff advised that two McCown parcels also hold Grassland Reserve Program conservation easements that qualify them for up to a 90% tax reduction, while the standard classification generally results in a 50% reduction for qualifying parcels under the Open Space Taxation Act (RCW 84.34).
Public commenters generally supported enrollment. Michelle Brigham, a neighboring landowner, said she supported conservation and grazing plans and reported invasive species (tansy, Scotch broom, Himalayan blackberries) had encroached on nearby lands after cattle left, and she said she would be interested in leasing grazing land to manage invasives. Bonnie Blessing supported the applications “in general” but asked staff to check whether continued mowing, grazing or other changes could affect nearby stream temperatures and whether the parcels require water rights that could alter in‑stream flows.
During the work session commissioners scrutinized detailed tax-information tables staff provided. One commissioner identified calculation and labeling errors in a McCown example table, including missing structure values and inconsistent tax-code-area breakdowns, and asked staff to correct the tables and include a bottom-line summary of total tax savings and tax-shift impacts. Staff acknowledged the errors and said the more detailed assessor-level valuation could clarify totals; staff also said they would correct and reissue the materials and provide clearer maps showing parcel locations for future hearings.
After public comment and discussion, a motion to recommend approval of classifying the specified acres of the Gardner Revocable Living Trust and the McCown parcels for current-use open-space assessment was moved, seconded and adopted; the chair declared the motion passed and asked staff to smooth process details for future hearings.
Authority cited in the staff presentation included the Open Space Taxation Act, RCW 84.34. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.
