Development-rights purchase preserves Ames Lake land

Published 1:25 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

CARNATION – King County has purchased the development rights to 443 acres of forested land near Carnation that was slated to be developed by its owner, Port Blakely Communities, according to an announcement made Wednesday, July 24.

Under the deal, a conservation easement will be placed on the Ames Lake Forest, but Port Blakely will still maintain ownership of it. The purchase of the development rights and conservation easement for $2.8 million was made possible by King County’s transfer of development rights (TDR) program.

Dedicated county funds were used for the development-rights purchase – not its general fund, which is facing a more than $50 million shortfall next year.