Council promotes trail linkages through tax incentives

June 11, 2012

Summary

Directing implementation strategies to connect trails with regional points of interest

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today approved implementation strategies to expand trail linkages through a program they created in October 2010. The program expands the Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS), which provides private landowners tax incentives for allowing the public to access connector trails on their property that link points of interest and existing public trails.

“With more people throughout King County using trails for recreation and transportation, finding low cost options for increasing access and connections to our trail system makes sense, especially for taxpayers,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, sponsor of the legislation. “Getting word out about the expansion of our successful Public Benefit Rating System increases opportunities to partner with private landowners in providing trail connections at a much lower cost to the public.”

The Public Benefit Rating System program provides incentives to encourage landowners to voluntarily conserve and protect land resources, and open space. In return for preserving and managing resources, the land is assessed at a value consistent with its “current use” rather than the “highest and best use.” PBRS is an effective way to expand King County’s 175 miles of regional trails without the cost of acquiring additional property.

The PBRS authorizes property owners to receive a property tax break for providing trail linkages between existing regional trails and destinations that trail users would like to access. The ordinance adopted by the Council expands the program to include linkages to public points of interest, such as transportation hubs, arts and cultural facilities, retail centers, recreation and open space, and residential concentrations.

The Council directed the Parks Division, which manages the regional trail system, to report back on strategies to help make this program more effective. Parks reported back, recommending a package of strategies that range from waiving application fees to targeted outreach mailings to landowners in key areas. This legislation directs implementation of these strategies.