‘BOXED OUT’ EPISODE #3: Synergies between Conservation Land Bank & affordable housing

A CNL2 VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Originally Published Sunday, September 15, 2024

Directed by Jeremy Tyler
Written summary by Jeff Noedel
Produced at SanJuans.Today Studios in Friday Harbor, WA

Boxed Out host Amanda Lynn welcomes Lincoln Bormann, Director of the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank. The conversation investigates the ways that conversation and affordable housing organizations in the County interact.

At 1:00 minute into the discussion, Lincoln is asked to summarize the history of the County’s Conservation Land Bank, which is funded by a one percent real estate excise tax (REET) paid at the time of a property purchase. The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank was formed in 1990. It has been approved by voters three times. The fourth proposed voter renewal for the Land Bank is on the Nov. 5 ballot..

(2:35) Amanda points out that the Washington State legislation that created housing REETs passed at same year: 1990.

(3:00) The Land Bank operates 32 preserves that are open to the public. Lincoln said they are for, “folks who can’t buy their own mountain.” He said the Land Bank preserves were especially popular during the pandemic.

(4:00) Amanda asks if it is true that San Juan County has the lowest percentage of public lands among all counties in Western Washington?

(5:45) Does the Land Bank’s work negatively affect land availability for affordable housing?

(10:50) How does the Land Bank promote and sustain local agricultural land uses?

(13:25) Is it true that the San Juan County Land Bank, with its REET funding mechanism, is extremely unique and rare in the U.S.? San Juan County’s is one of only three in the nation with this unique funding mechanism. The other two are Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, both in Massachusetts.

(16:30) Can the REET be changed to be more progressive, charging a higher rate for very expensive homes? Lincoln discusses the risk of going back to the state legislature and making changes to REET law.

(20:00) Should more REET money go to affordable housing?

(22:45) Is the REET a property tax? Does the property the Land Bank purchases cause a reduction in property tax receipts for the County, therefore driving up everyone’s property tax bills?

(25:00) How does the Land Bank decide which properties to buy, and which properties will be publicly accessible? (Thirty two of the 39 preserves are publicly accessible.)

This CNL2 video is approximately 28-3/4 minutes in duration.

Additional links:

• San Juan County Conservation Land Bank website
• San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Tax explainer web page

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