For those not familiar, BDUGAA is an oft used acronym in our community and stands for the "Black Diamond Urban Growth Area Agreement". You've got to live here to appreciate it. This agreement was formally signed in December 1996 and included the following signatories - King County, Plum Creek Timber Co., Palmer Coking Coal Co. and the City of Black Diamond. As I understand it, the impetus for this agreement was several fold:
- King County, under the direction of then County Executive Gary Lock, were looking for a place in the County that might showcase the benefits of Master Planned Developments and "smart growth".
- Plum Creek Timber Co. at the time was the largest land owner in the area. Even in the early 1990's, it was clear that the "highest and best use" for much of Plum Creek land in our area was residential development and not timber production.
- Palmer Coking Coal Co. is a major land owner both within the City and in surrounding areas within the County.
- Many folks in Black Diamond wanted to see growth in the City - something that had eluded our community earlier. Absent some growth the long-term fiscal viability of the City was perceived by some to be in serious question.
Footnote: My objective here is to provide historical perspective and to report on what I have learned while seeking to better understand current Master Planned Development proposals. I would also point out that these agreements are extensive and complicated and I am no lawyer. But to the best of my ability, I am providing a layman's perspective. For now, my focus will be on the BDUGAA and what it has meant for the City's future - and also what it did not foreordain.
So what does the BDUGAA provide? Following is a map of the three new annexation areas proposed for inclusion in the Black Diamond UGA as a result of the BDUGAA.
As you can see, there were three significant annexation areas proposed - West, South and East. The annexation area surrounding Lake 12 was suggested but has not been acted up. Following is a breakdown of the acreages.
You may wish to note that current MPD proposals encompass approximately 1,500 acres while the BDUGAA area set aside for residential, commercial and mixed use development in new annexation areas total less than 500 acres. While it is clear that the BDUGAA resulted in the addition of significant additional acreage and potential development density into the Black Diamond UGA, it did not foreordain current City Comprehensive Plans, City MPD Ordinances or MPD development as now planned. No value judgement intended in making this statement - but simply to point out that many have commented that the dye was cast in 1996. That is just not the case.
There is also significant value now accruing to our community as a result of all of the open space and conservation easements established as a result of the BDUGAA - but not really finalized until 2005 with signing of the Black Diamond Open Space Area Agreement. In talking with people in the community, there seems to be limited understanding of just how significant this is. In a future post, I will focus on the 2005 Open Space Area Agreement that served to implement much of the BDUGAA principles.
As always, please let me know if you have questions or comments.