Saving farmland to be discussed

Published 10:36 pm Tuesday, October 28, 2008

ARLINGTON — Mayor Margaret Larson wants Stillaguamish Valley farmland preserved for her grandchildren’s grandchildren.

Larson is scheduled to speak at a meeting Thursday regarding changes to a plan that seeks to steer new homes away from farmland and into more urban areas.

Those interested in proposed changes to the current certificate program for Stillaguamish Valley Transfer of Development Rights are encouraged to attend the meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Pioneer Hall, 20722 67th Ave., in Arlington.

“This meeting is a great opportunity for our developers and Stillaguamish Valley landowners to share their ideas with the city and the county so that together we can make the Stillaguamish Valley TDR program successful,” Larson said.

Under the program, Snohomish County lets housing developers buy the rights to develop farmland from farmers in Arlington’s urban growth area. Then it transfers that right to build houses at a different location. Those who own farmland are compensated for keeping the property for agricultural use.

An example of changes to the program is the possibility of including flood-way lands in the acreage qualifying for transfer of development rights certificates. The goal of meeting is to collect comments from those who could be buying and selling the TDR certificates.

Planners from Snohomish County and the city of Arlington are scheduled to attend and give short presentations. Larson plans to present an update on the state’s Community Trade and Economic Development TDR Policy committee, which is drafting recommendations on a regional transfer of development rights program that will be sent to the state Legislature.

For more information about the meeting and the program, call 360-403-3440.

Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.