Drafter
Clerk 05/10/2012
Title
A MOTION directing the executive to implement potential strategies in support of active trail linkages as a means of connecting regional trails with regional points of interest.
Body
WHEREAS, through Ordinance 16942, in October 2010 the council established a new Open Space resource category under the public benefits rating system entitled active trail linkages, and
WHEREAS, that ordinance authorized tax incentives for private landowners in exchange for allowing trail linkages between regional trails and regional points of interest across privately owned land, and
WHEREAS, the executive completed and transmitted a report in October 2011 entitled Active Trail Linkages: Potential Application and Relationship to Other Trails, and
WHEREAS, that report concluded that implementing active trail linkages in urban areas could be challenging but could complement other trail expansion efforts, and
WHEREAS, the report also identified a number of potential strategies to stimulate interest in and to facilitate creation of public benefits rating system active trail linkages, and
WHEREAS, those potential strategies included the following:
1. Develop a King County parks web page describing opportunities for donating property or easements to the King County parks system and incorporate information about active trail linkages;
2. Link the parks and recreation division web site information to the water and land resource division's public benefit rating system web page;
3. Create a department of development and environmental services customer service bulletin about active trail linkages;
4. Reduce or waive public benefit rating system review application fees for landowners interested in enrolling properties in the active trail linkage category; and
5. Conduct a targeted mailing to landowners within key focus areas identified as potential active trail linkage areas, and
WHEREAS, the council finds that those strategies are useful and appropriate means of moving forward with the public benefit rating system active trail linkages;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The council directs the executive to proceed with implementation of these strategies expeditiously. Where there is a need for council legislative action authorizing
any of the strategies, the executive shall transmit the recommended legislation to the council by February 1, 2013.
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