About the OSA
The Open Space Amendment (OSA) is a proposed amendment to the King County charter that will appear on the November general election ballot. The OSA would provide enhanced protection for approximately 156,000 acres of natural open space owned by the county.
The OSA would strengthen the protection of these properties by
requiring a supermajority vote of the County Council (at least seven
of nine affirmative votes) in order for the county to sell, transfer,
or expand the uses of these lands. Before a vote is taken, a public
hearing would be required, as well as a finding of fact that either 1)
the property's conservation value has been degraded, 2) maintaining
the property in public ownership is no longer practical, for specific
reasons set forth in the ordinance; or 3) overall open space values
would be better served by substituting another property.
The properties under consideration are located throughout unincorporated rural King County and are already set aside for conservation. The county already owns the land, or the development rights.
Pictured Above: District 3 Councilmember Kathy Lambert and Terry Lavender
