Transfer of Development Rights / Purchase of Development Rights Work Group

Purpose

The Whatcom County Council adopted the Comprehensive Plan update in August 2016 (Ordinance 2016-034). Comprehensive Plan Policy 2A-14 includes establishing a clear, predictable, and fair process for allowing expansion of urban growth areas that considers reasonable measures to mitigate the impacts of residential development in rural lands, agricultural areas, and sensitive watersheds (the Policy also addresses upzones in other areas, such as zoning changes in rural areas).  This Policy includes convening a multi-stakeholder workgroup tasked with reviewing a number of issues relating to transfer of development rights (TDRs) and purchase of development rights (PDRs). Therefore, the Whatcom County Executive appointed the TDR/PDR Work Group to address these issues. 
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​Policy 2A-14 can be viewed by clicking here.

Meetings

The Work Group will generally meet the first Wednesday of each month from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Northwest Annex Conference Room at 5280 Northwest Drive (County Planning Department at the corner of Northwest Dr. and Smith Rd.).  The public is invited to attend the meetings of the Work Group.

Members

Chris Behee - City of Bellingham
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​​​Michael Jones - City of Blaine
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​​​Rollin Harper - Cities of Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas​​
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​Jori Burnett - City of Ferndale
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​​​Dave Timmer - City of Lynden​​
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​Bill Henshaw - Building Industry
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​​​Betty Sanchez - Realtors
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​Myrle Foster - Rural Property Owner
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​Ralph Black - TDR User
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​Phil Thompson - Economist
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​Steve Powers - Affordable Housing
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Rod Erickson - Agriculture
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​Karlee Deatherage - Environmental
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​Rud Browne - County Council​