(A) It shall be the county’s policy to encourage land exchanges that place stream and lakeshore corridors, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and other sensitive areas in public ownership, while placing state and federal lands that are suitable for development in private ownership. The county also recognizes the possibility that state lands may be leased or sold for development. Development resulting from state or federal land exchanges, leases, or sales must comply with this plan and the County Development Code. This policy does not apply to land exchanges between public agencies, for instance, an exchange between the Bureau of Land Management and the state’s Department of Lands.
(B) More than 35% of the county’s land area is in public ownership, but the public/private boundary can change. The exchange, lease, or sale of public lands for development can benefit the people of the county, but only where the transition to private control is made in compliance with the following strategies, which must be cooperatively implemented by the county, state, and federal agencies.
(1) Federal/private land exchanges should result in the protection of sensitive areas in the county.
(2) Federal/private land exchanges and public land leases and sales should be based on specific proposals for the development of suitable sites, and not finalized until the proposed development has been approved by the county. Implementation of this strategy will require the federal agency to have the beneficiary of the exchange retain a design firm, prepare a site plan, and follow the county’s application procedures, just as that person would do if developing private land.
(3) The county believes there is an opportunity for an innovative combination of the federal environmental assessment, state and county planning and zoning review processes on proposed land exchanges. All agencies should use the county plan as a scoping document and the hearing held by the Planning and Zoning Commission as its forum for public input. Representatives of the state’s Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service are encouraged to discuss this possibility with the Commission the next time an exchange is proposed.
(Ord. 2007-8-13B, passed 8-13-2007; Ord. 2022-2-28, passed 2-28-2022)