Bothell Sound

Development · Mar 18, 2026

Bothell Planning Commission was scheduled to get a briefing on a TDR/LCLIP feasibility study

In materials published ahead of the March 18, 2026 meeting, the Bothell Planning Commission was scheduled to be briefed on a study of whether a Transfer of Development Rights program, possibly paired with the state's LCLIP, could fund infrastructure in Bothell 1.

What the records say

In materials published ahead of the March 18, 2026 meeting, the Bothell Planning Commission was scheduled to receive a briefing — with no action required — on a feasibility study of a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program, possibly linked to the state's Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (LCLIP) 1. TDR is a voluntary tool where developers buy development credits from owners of farms and forests to build extra capacity in designated city areas; LCLIP lets participating cities use a share of new property tax revenue to pay for public infrastructure 1. The study is being conducted by the Washington State Department of Commerce with consultant ECOnorthwest 1. It is exploratory: no decisions have been made about adopting a program, changing zoning, or funding infrastructure 1. The Puget Sound Regional Council has allocated Bothell 365 TDR credits, and the city would need to commit to placing 20% to 100% of them over 20 years to participate in LCLIP 1. Staff asked commissioners for feedback on three potential Local Infrastructure Project Areas — Canyon Park, North Creek/195th Street, and Downtown — plus what development incentives (extra height or FAR, tax/fee programs, developer agreements) would make TDR use attractive 1. Bothell already has a small TDR framework: the 2020 Canyon Park Subarea Plan recommended a TDR program, and a June 2023 ordinance (Ordinance 2398) between the city and Sound Transit designated 225,000 square feet of excess development capacity at the future Canyon Park bus base site as transferable. As of February 2026, no TDR transactions had occurred 1.

  • The Planning Commission was scheduled for a briefing on the TDR/LCLIP feasibility study on March 18, 2026, with no action required.
  • PSRC allocated Bothell 365 TDR credits; participation requires committing to place 20%–100% of them over 20 years.
  • Three potential Local Infrastructure Project Areas are under study: Canyon Park, North Creek/195th Street, and Downtown.
  • Bothell's existing Canyon Park TDR framework, established through a June 2023 ordinance with Sound Transit, designated 225,000 square feet of transferable capacity at the future bus base site; no TDR transactions had occurred as of February 2026.
  • LCLIP revenue would begin once 25% of accepted credits are placed, with milestones at 10, 15, and 20 years to extend the revenue stream to 25 years total.

Why it matters

If Bothell eventually joins LCLIP, new development in areas like Canyon Park, North Creek/195th Street, or Downtown could generate extra property tax revenue the city could spend on transportation, utilities, transit facilities, public spaces, affordable housing support, and historic preservation 1. The trade-off is that the city would have to commit to placing a share of 365 development credits on a strict timeline — 25% of accepted credits placed before revenue starts, and all credits placed within 20 years to keep the full 25-year revenue stream — so how many credits Bothell accepts shapes both the money coming in and the growth pressure on receiving areas 1.

What changed / what's next

  • No change has occurred: the March 18, 2026 briefing was exploratory, and the record states no decisions have been made about program adoption, zoning changes, or infrastructure commitments 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.
  • Staff said the consultant team will complete its feasibility and market analysis and return to the Planning Commission with findings and policy options on whether and how to proceed with program development 1.