Overview

In 2011, King County and the City of Sammamish entered into an interlocal agreement for the implementation of a regional program to transfer development rights from important conservation lands in rural King County to the Sammamish Town Center Subarea in the City of Sammamish.  The Town Center Regulations provide for additional residential density or commercial development capacity within the town center using the Transferable Development Rights from rural open space and forest lands in close proximity to the city.  As part of the agreement, King County provided $375,000 of Conservation Futures Tax Funds to the City of Sammamish to help the city create open space and park amenities in the city’s neighborhood where TDR development is occurring.

Location

Convenient to I-90, the City of Sammamish is located east of Lake Sammamish and north of Issaquah. The Sammamish Town Center is located in the heart of the City of Sammamish. The city is directing new residential, retail, and office growth to the town center. This planned growth will contribute to and build on the natural character and quality of life in Sammamish.

Sammamish Town Center Rendering

Using Rural TDR Credits in Sammamish Town Center Subarea

TDR credits may be used in the Sammamish Town Center Subarea from rural sending sites located in the area adjacent to the City of Sammamish, known as the “Sammamish Emerald Necklace”, as shown in the map below.  TDR credits may be used to increase commercial capacity and residential density as identified in the table below.

Sammamish Town Center Sending Area

For questions about the TDR Program, Nicholas Bratton, TDR Program Manager, or Anne-Gigi Chan, Land Conservation Project Manager, King County WLRD Rural and Regional Services Section.