Conservation Futures Tax Levy (Cft) Application for 2021 Funds

Updated 04.08.2020

CONSERVATION FUTURES TAX LEVY (CFT) APPLICATION FOR 2021 FUNDS

Project Name: Skyway – West Hill Urban Greenspace Project Location: Unincorporated King County (e.g. City Name or “Unincorporated King County”) Applicant’s Agency or Organization Name: King County Parks Proposed Project Acreage: 14.3 CFT Funding Request: $800,000 ($1,600,000 with (Identify the acreage targeted under this year’s funding request) (Dollar amount of CFT award requested) match waiver) Total Project Acreage: 45 KC PL Funding Request: $800,000 ($0 with match waiver) (Estimate total acreage at project completion for multi-year projects) (King County projects only: dollar amount of KC Parks Levy requested) Seeking a match waiver? ☐X Yes ☐ No Total Funding Request: $1,600,000 (If yes, applicant must submit “Supplemental Form #1.) (Sum of CFT + KCPL requests above) Type of Acquisition(s): ☒ Fee Title ☐ Easement ☐ Fee or easement TBD ☐ Other: King County Council District in which project is located1: 2 WRIA/watershed in which project is located2: 8

APPLICANT CONTACT INFORMATION Contact Name: David Kimmett Phone: 206-477-4573 Title: Open Space Project/Program Manager Email: [email protected] Address: 201 S Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98104 Date: 3/3/2020

SECTION 1. PROJECT SUMMARY Please summarize your project in the space below.

This project continues King County Parks’ long term mission to increase public green space in unincorporated urban communities. Working with King County’s Open Space Equity Cabinet and local community groups, King County Parks will identify opportunities to create new urban parks, trails and open space in the Skyway/West Hill community.

This current request has two primary and immediate goals: • Working with the West Hill Community Association, Skyway Solutions and other Skyway/West Hill cultural and community organizations, obtain community support for proposed acquisitions. • There is a current opportunity to acquire the 14-acre Brooks Village parcels from the King County Department of Community and Human Services, which would create a combined 34-acre urban forest and wetland complex.

1 King County Council District information here: https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/councilmembers/find_district.aspx 2 Find WRIA (“watershed resource inventory area”) here: https://www5.kingcounty.gov/kcgisreports/wrialookup.aspx

Application – Page 1

SECTION 2. OPEN SPACE RESOURCES • Before answering Sections 2 & 3, please review “Application Evaluation Criteria.” • Please mark an “X” in the checkbox for each criterion that applies to your project. • For each criterion you marked, briefly describe in the space below how the project would meet that criterion. If relevant, consider the landscape setting and/or planned restoration actions. ☒ A. Wildlife habitat or rare plant reserve ☒ F. Urban passive-use natural area/greenbelt ☒ B. Salmon habitat and aquatic resources ☒ G. Park, open space, or natural corridor addition ☐ C. Scenic resources ☒ H. Passive recreation opportunity in area with unmet needs ☐ D. Community separator ☒ I. Project that seeks to redress historic disparities in access ☐ E. Historic/cultural resources to open space in opportunity areas

Wildlife habitat, salmon habitat and aquatic resources. Brooks Village is part of a 34-acre mature urban forest and wetland complex that provides invaluable fish and wildlife habitat.

The Brooks Village parcels and the adjacent parcels owned by King County WLRD and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) form the headwaters for Taylor Creek. The WLRD site is part of the Mitigation Reserve Bank program.

Taylor Creek is located near the south end of Lake Washington in southeast Seattle. The creek originates in unincorporated King County and passes through a natural area known as Dead Horse Canyon within Lakeridge Park. It then passes through residential yards and a culvert under Rainier Avenue S. before discharging into Lake Washington. The culvert under Rainier Avenue S., along with other barriers in the creek, prevents fish passage to good quality habitat in Dead Horse Canyon. Seattle Public Utility is planning to construct a culvert improvement project that will increase Chinook salmon rearing habitat at the mouth of Taylor Creek and provide fish passage up Taylor Creek into Dead Horse Canyon.

Urban natural area. The Brooks Village target parcels (14.3 acres), the privately owned adjacent parcels (5.73 acres - highlighted in yellow) are undeveloped and 100% forested. These parcels along with the county’s WLRD parcels (10.3 acres) and the Seattle Public Utility parcels (3.78 acres) comprise a contiguous urban forest and wetland complex of 34.11 acres.

Park, open space and natural corridor addition. The Brooks Village parcels and the privately owned parcels add to the existing WLRD and SPU forest and wetlands. In addition, the Brooks Village site is adjacent to a Seattle City Light Power line which has a social trail that is used by local residents. Further north in Seattle the 5- mile Chief Sealth Trail follows the same power line from Seattle Parks’ Kubota Garden to the south end of Beacon Hill near Jefferson Park. Brooks Village could become a trailhead for a future Chief Sealth trail extension into the Skyway community.

Passive recreation opportunity/unmet needs. The Brooks Village acquisition provides a unique opportunity to provide a self-contained trail network and access to a future regional trail under the adjacent power line.

Equity/opportunity area projects that seek to redress historic disparities in access to open space. Compared to nearby Seattle neighborhoods, the Skyway/West Hill community is lacking in number and acres of parks and open space. This project would add valuable greenspace in this unincorporated urban community.

Application – Page 2 SECTION 3. ADDITIONAL FACTORS • Please mark an “X” in the checkbox for each criterion that applies to your project. • For each criterion you marked, briefly describe in the space below how the project would meet that criterion. If relevant, consider the landscape setting and/or planned restoration actions. ☒ A. Educational/interpretive opportunity ☒ B. Impact to open space resources ☒ C. Feasibility: ownership complexity/willing seller(s)/community support ☒ D. Describe any public or private partnerships that will enhance this project ☒ E. Is the property identified in an adopted park, open space, comprehensive, or community plan? ☐ F. Transferable Development Rights (TDR) participation

Educational/interpretive opportunity. Brooks Village provides a great opportunity to educate the public on the social health and ecological benefits of urban forests, wetlands, streams, birds, amphibians, urban wildlife and salmon.

Impact to open space resources. Brooks Village is zoned for a large urban residential development, 8 units per acre. Such a development would severely impact the mature urban forest on the site. The sensitive areas on site could reduce the amount of development but the developable areas of the site would need to be cleared of trees.

Per the appraisal report: The property appraised in this report is described as King County tax parcel numbers 114830-0010 through 114830-0450 (legally platted but undeveloped lots) and 114830-0500 (described as future development parcel) in addition to 114830-0490 (drainage tract) and 114830TRCT (Open Space and Critical Area Tracts). The subject of the appraisal reviewed consists of a largely tree-covered, multi-parcel, R-8PSO (Residential, eight DU per acre) zoned assemblage totaling approximately 14.3 acres, as further described in detail in the appraisal reviewed. The site contains two dilapidated homes, both requiring demolition as part of any planned development. The property technically includes 48 legally segregated parcels, although loss of entitlements requires re-assemblage for future development consistent with current zoning requirements and standards.

Feasibility: Ownership complexity/willing seller(s)/community support. King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) took ownership of the Brooks Village property in 2004 after a developer failed to complete a project that was approved for development in 1997. DCHS had identified the site for affordable housing at 8 units per acre, but to date no developer has been found.

In June 2018 DCHS designated the property as surplus and made it available to other King County agencies. DCHS staff believe that funds from the sale of the property could be used to secure more appropriate affordable housing sites in Skyway – West Hill community.

King County Parks used committee approved Park Levy funds to complete a full appraisal. Parks and DCHS staff will engage with Skyway – West Hill organizations to determine if there is community support for this property to become urban park green space.

Describe any public or private partnerships that will enhance this project. As mentioned, local organizations in Skyway such as the West Hill Community Association will help determine appropriate acquisitions in their communities. There may be exciting opportunities to partner with local community organizations to program, develop and restore future park sites in Skyway. Letters of support from local organizations are being pursued.

Is the property identified in an adopted park, open space, comprehensive, or community plan? Yes. The Brooks Village parcels are zoned for R8PSO in the West Hill Subarea Plan, which was recently updated through a community outreach process.

R8PSO is a residential development at 8 dwelling units per acre, modified with the following development codes: parcel specific condition (P), and special district overlay (SO).

Application – Page 3 SECTION 4. PARCEL DETAILS A. Please provide information about the parcels that are current funding targets, as shown in red on your maps. • No need to list information on the future potential funding targets that are shown in yellow on your maps. • You can find this information on the “Assessor’s Report/Property Details” accessed through King County iMap (https://gismaps.kingcounty.gov/iMap/). Add more rows if needed.

Parcel Property Number Assessor’s Assessor’s Estimated Cost Interest (do not use “Appraised “Appraised to Purchase Sought (fee, hyphen, e.g., Land Improvements Desired Property easement, or 1234567890) Acreage Zoning3 Value”4 Value” Interest TBD) 1148300100 14.3 R8PSO Variable – $1,500,000 Fee to 0500 (8 units Approx. Appraised (Brooks per acre) $100,000 per Village - 55 parcel parcels)

B. How did you estimate the cost to purchase parcels? (e.g., appraisal, estimate from assessor’s values, etc.). Appraisal

C. Describe project readiness, urgency, and potential to phase funding over multiple years. KC DCHS is prepared to sell to Parks. Community outreach in partnership with DCHS is needed.

D. Are any parcels enrolled in the Current Use Taxation program, a voluntary conservation program? 5 No

SECTION 5. PROPERTY USE, STEWARDSHIP, AND MAINTENANCE A. What is the intended future use of the property (e.g., passive recreation, habitat restoration, timber management, agricultural production)? Will this land be available for public use? Passive recreation, habitat restoration. Yes, land will be available for public use.

B. How will the property be stewarded and maintained, and using what funding? Does the property lend itself to volunteer stewardship opportunities or community participation? KC Parks staff will steward the site using Park Levy funding. The site is perfect for community partnerships and grants. King County’s HELP program can provide invasive plant removal and control.

C. What are the biggest challenges you anticipate in managing this site? Site restoration and creating public access such as parking.

D. Will you be purchasing and demolishing any structures on the target parcel(s)? Explain why this is necessary. There are some very old and dilapidated homes on site.

E. Do you intend to hold out any part of the site for non-CFT-eligible activities, such as intensive recreation or retaining a structure on a fee purchase? (Funds used for that purchase can’t count as CFT match.) No

3 Please explain the zoning designation if it is hard to understand (usually most important for urban zoning designations) 4 Parcels enrolled in Current Use Taxation for “Forestry” may not have a valid “appraised land value” or acreage. 5 Visit www.kingcounty.gov/incentives, and use the “Interactive Map” to check enrollment for your target parcel(s).

Application – Page 4 SECTION 6. PROJECT BUDGET

FUNDING REQUEST REQUESTED AMOUNT CFT Funding Request $ 800,000 ($1,600,000 with match waiver) KC Parks Levy (PL) Request (county projects only) $ 800,000 ($0 with match waiver) TOTAL FUNDING REQUEST $ 1,600,000

TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS Use this table to estimate the total cost to purchase the parcels that are the current funding targets ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS ESTIMATED DOLLAR AMOUNT OR RANGE Total property interest value $ 1,500,000 Title and appraisal work $ $30,000 Closing, fees, taxes $ $15,000 Relocation costs $ Hazardous waste/environmental reports $ 15,000 Directly related staff, administration and legal costs $ 40,000 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS $ 1,600,000

MATCH What type of match will you be providing? ☒ Cash match ☐ Land match6 ☐X Match waiver requested (must submit Supplemental Form #1) Please consider for match waiver

If you are providing cash match, please complete this table. Cash Match – Secured (list sources) Date Funding Secured Dollar Amount

Cash Match – Still Sought (list sources) Date Funding Anticipated Dollar Amount Park Levy - if match waiver not granted 2021 $800,000

If you are providing land match, please complete this table (add rows if necessary). Land Match Parcel # Value Already acquired? Details (funding source, timing, etc.) ☐ Yes ☐No

OTHER FUNDING Do you have any funding that will contribute to the purchase, which you have not already listed above? Due to a recent scope change and reallocation of match waiver CFT funds, there may be a surplus of these funds once acquisitions are completed at Skyway Park.

6 Land match is described on Page ii of “Instructions and Conditions.” Typically this is donated land, or the cash value of recent open space purchases. Land match should be directly linked to the property under application and meet CFT conditions.

Application – Page 5 SECTION 7. BOND FUNDING POTENTIAL • These factors may make projects more competitive for bond funds (some projects may be a better fit for annual funds). • Please mark the checkboxes for the criteria that apply to the current target parcels. • For each criterion you marked, briefly describe in the space below how the project would meet that criterion. ☐ A. Acquisition can occur in late 2020 or early 2021 ☐ B. Transaction is highly likely to be successful ☐ C. Match is secured, or will be secured by late 2020 or early 2021 ☐ D. Property purchased in fee will not be leased or surplused/sold for private benefit

Application – Page 6 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM #1: MATCH WAIVER/ OPPORTUNITY AREA DETERMINATION

ONLY complete Supplemental Form #1 if you request a match waiver, requiring a determination of whether your project is in an opportunity area. Please take four actions: 1. Review the guidance online at www.kingcounty.gov/CFTmatchwaiver. 2. Request a Data Report for your parcel with information that may help you complete this Supplemental Form; contact CFT Coordinator (email [email protected]). 3. Begin or continue community engagement around this project. 4 . Attach two letters of support for the project, ideally from community-based organizations. When you meet with the Committee, please be prepared to talk about how your local government is working on equitable community development and preventing displacement of residents in the neighborhood where you propose to add greenspace.

1. On the data report, did you automatically qualify as an opportunity area under Method 1, meeting all three criteria? ☐ Yes ☒ No

2. Please discuss why you believe your project location qualifies as an “opportunity area” and should be granted a match waiver. • All applicants complete this question, even if you marked “yes” in Question 1 above. • Use information in the Data Report or other relevant information. • Discuss how people in this neighborhood experience limited open space access and demonstrated hardships (e.g. income, health, social/demographic, environmental factors, etc).

Skyway urban greenspace

The acquisition project area meets the income and hospitalization criteria. The Skyway and West Hill community is not blessed with many accessible parks, trails and greenspaces when compared to other urban communities in Seattle and the greater metropolitan area. The Brooks Village acquisition would add significant urban forest and wetlands to this community. Public access and trails could easily be established through partnerships with local non-profits, such as the Washington Trails Association (WTA) which has just launched a new urban trails program The Trail Next Door. King County Parks and WTA have partnered for many years on creating more trails at multiple open space sites throughout the county. WTA would conduct community engagement in partnership with some of the local organizations identified in #3, and would lead youth and family work parties to build the new trails.

Supplemental Form #1 – Page 1 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM #1, continued

3. Describe in detail your engagement and collaboration with community-based organizations and/or members of the community regarding this project. If you have not done so, please describe your planned community engagement. • For example: direct engagement with nearby residents and/or community-based organizations representing this area; holding an open forum or discussion with the neighborhood; carrying out a planning process for this area.

King County Department of Community and Human Services staff provided the following:

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) intends to launch a community engagement process in Skyway, collaborating with the County’s Communities of Opportunity and Equity and Social Justice teams and the Departments of Local Services and Natural Resources and Parks (Parks) to advance the County’s approach to equitable development. This community process over the next year will inform the eventual use of the Brooks Village property. DCHS, with the community guiding the decision, will reengage with Parks about the possibility of making a transfer at that time. In addition to broad public outreach, the County will meaningfully engage the following groups in shaping this planning work:

• Skyway Solutions • West Hill Community Association • Somali Parent Education Board • Renton Area Youth and Family Services • African Community & Housing Development • Urban Family Center • Renton Innovation Zone Partnership • Renton School District

The newly recruited Housing, Homelessness and Community Development Division’s Equitable Development Program Manager comes onboard April 1, 2020, to advance the County’s efforts to empower communities most vulnerable to displacement to shape their own futures. The Skyway community will continue to be a high priority area for a comprehensive community engagement process and actionable affordable housing strategies.

4. If you are not granted a match waiver, do you want to be considered for a CFT award for 50% of your original CFT request amount, which would require dollar-for-dollar match? ☒ Yes ☐ No • If you answered “yes,” please discuss how you intend to raise the matching funds

We would use Park Levy funds for match.

Supplemental Form #1 – Page 2 March 2020

Sent by email from Valerie Kendall, DCHS

Lakeridge Park

King County WLRD

SPU

Brooks Village

Skyway -- Brooks Village ´ 2021 Priority Acquistions

0 485 970 1,940 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Feet Parks and Recreation Division IMAGE_Ortho2017KCNAT Seattle

Tukwila Renton Renton

Skyway - West Hill 2021 Acquistions Ü Priority Target Acquisitions 0 1,800 3,600 7,200 Department of Natural Resources and Parks Feet Long Term Acquisitions Parks and Recreation Division King County Taylor Creek

Seattle

Lakeridge Park

Taylor Creek

King County WLRD Seattle Public Utilities

Brooks Village

Urban Greenspace Skyway

2020 Target parcels

Long term acquisitions

Department of Natural Resources and Parks Ü Parks and Recreation Division Skyway Skyway Park 0 345 690 1,380 Feet

IMAGE_Ortho2017KCNAT