[Capr-announce] Update on Farm Home Size Restriction

[robert vos]

Update on the Farm Home Size Restriction – Ag Commission Public Meeting
   
  Thanks to all CAPR supporters who responded with research and/or attended the June 14 public meeting.  There were about 20 of you present, and almost half that number spoke.  
   
  The Ag Commissioners had been told we needed to “ratify” the proposed FPP (Farmland Preservation Program) covenants at the meeting, even though several of us had expressed concerns about the home size restriction.  Two “alternatives” had been prepared for us to vote on, both of them nearly identical in restricting home size to about 1950 square feet.  After the visibility resulting from CAPR emails and phone calls, county folks received considerable feedback.  The agenda was then changed to discuss “if” we approve a size restriction, and it dropped the plan to take a vote at this meeting. 
   
  This issue had obviously struck a nerve and there were a wide range of interesting public comments. They ranged from “leave us farmers alone!” to “this is not consistent with the mission of the Ag Commission” to “if you do this I will work to cut off your funding and make your life a living hell!”  The only comments in favor of limiting farm home sizes were from two ladies representing a farm trust organization, and even one of them said she thought the proposed 1950 square foot number was overly restrictive.  Quite a number of county employees attended the meeting as well.
   
  Council member Kathy Lambert was present to discuss farm flooding issues, and she ended her presentation by saying that “this proposed farm home size restriction makes no sense to me whatsoever.”  Ron Sims staff Karen Wolfe also attended the meeting, but did not comment.
   
  A final result remains to be determined, but there now seems to be willingness by county staff to discuss the issue.  Also there are further questions being asked by other officials in the county who apparently were unaware of the proposed size restriction.
   
  One thing I found interesting was the argument by some proponents that this size restriction is “voluntary” and only applies to those who choose to sign up for FPP.  I suppose by the same logic, all King County regulations are “voluntary” because they only apply to people who choose to live here!  “Love it or leave it”!?
   
  There is also evidence of a coordinated agenda to use these Ag Commission FPP covenants next year as a political tool to justify mandatory home size restrictions through new zoning regulations.  An April 10 Council motion (2007-0153.3) sponsored by Larry Phillips defines the “2008 King County Comprehensive Plan Update Work Program.”  In Attachment A, Chapter 3, it says the Council is to “Examine the issue of limiting the size of houses on agricultural lands.”  A CAPR member, who emailed Executive assistant Paul Reitenbach on this, received the following response.
   
  “This is an issue raised by the King County Agricultural Commission.  I am not sure we will propose to do this, but we will at least look at the possibility of doing this as we develop the 2008 update of the King County Comprehensive plan.”
   
  Voluntary?  Stay tuned, and continue to express your thoughts!
   
  Bob Vos
  Ag Commissioner and CAPR member

 
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