King County v. Central Puget Sound

Summary

The Washington Supreme Court, en banc, held that King County's 1997 amendments to its comprehensive plan and zoning code, which allow active recreational facilities on prime agricultural lands within designated Agricultural Production Districts, violate the Growth Management Act because RCW 36.70A.020(8), .060(1), and .170, read together, impose a legislative mandate to designate and conserve agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance. The court further held that the amendments do not qualify as 'innovative zoning techniques' under RCW 36.70A.177, because that provision's poor-soils limitation restricts nonagricultural uses to lands not suitable for agriculture and the subject properties contain prime agricultural soils. The court reversed the superior court and reinstated the Hearings Board's decision invalidating the amendments. Johnson, J., dissented, arguing the majority read the agricultural conservation goal in isolation from the Act's recreation directives and would have affirmed the superior court.