King County’s innovative Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) agreement with the city of Seattle may only be two years old, but its success has already resulted in a growth management Lifetime Achievement Award from Gov. Jay Inslee.
“This is a proven approach that steers development away from farms and forests, and into vibrant city neighborhoods,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “With these transfers of development rights, we can help sustain the production of fresh, local food to supply urban residents, restaurants and retailers for generations to come.”
The inventive agreement, which requires downtown Seattle developers to purchase farmland development rights in order to build additional office or residential space, was described by the state Department of Commerce as one of the greatest examples of successful planning over the last 25 years of the state Growth Management Act (GMA).
King County also points to the climate change benefits of the agreement, which results in reduced sprawl by transferring development rights into the region’s urban core.
The state Department of Commerce will present King County with the “Lifetime of GMA Achievement Award” at a reception commemorating the 25th anniversary of the GMA, Nov. 13at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.
Learn more about King County’s TDR program at www.kingcounty.gov/TDR.
