Pierce County Council adopts ordinance approving seven open-space applications on properties in District 3

The Pierce County Council unanimously adopted Ordinance O2025-520 on July 29, 2025, approving seven open-space applications affecting eight parcels within unincorporated Pierce County.

Rebecca Chapman, council staff policy analyst, briefed the council that the ordinance grants approval to seven applications (filed voluntarily by landowners) to conserve open-space areas. Chapman said the applications were reviewed by the Pierce County Planning Commission on May 27, 2025, which recommended approval. She said the adoption will “result in a shift of $3,733 to benefit the applicants overall,” and that the affected properties are located in Council District 3.

Why it matters: Current-use open-space classification changes how property is assessed for tax purposes to encourage land conservation. The council's action approves individual landowner applications and adopts findings of fact; it does not create a countywide program change or appropriate new funds.

Council members moved and seconded the ordinance and then called for public comment; no members of the public testified on the ordinance. The clerk called the roll; the recorded vote was 7 ayes, 0 nays (Council members Krueger, Ayala, Yambay, Denson, Morell, Herrera and Hitchin). The motion carried and the ordinance was adopted.

Details provided at the meeting: Chapman said there are five new applications and two re-rated applications covering eight parcels, all within District 3. The Planning Commission reviewed the applications and recommended approval on May 27, 2025. Chapman offered to answer council questions; none were raised during the session.

This ordinance adopts findings of fact and authorizes the county to change the current-use assessment status of the listed parcels under the county's open-space classification process. The recorded vote and the statement about the $3,733 tax-shift were part of the official council record; the ordinance text and the Planning Commission review are part of county records for this item.