HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2014-005strike WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2013-205
CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned to:
Originator: M.A. 5/23/2013 6/4/2013 Introduction
Matt,Minot
Division Head: 7/9/2013 P&D Committee and
, Mark Personm s I 5" •3-'13 Council
Dept.Head: : ��_
Sam Ryan Y' = 1 �' e° I '`.- ,11 << J 1/28/2014 Council
Prosecutor:
Royce Buckingham , )3•/3
Purchasing/Budget: t,4V.:` 2 2313
Executive: t AT C 0 pl U OUNTY
.5"..zie, 3
Jack Louws COUNCIL
TITLE OF D I `U ENT:
Repeal the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan and amend provisions in the Whatcom County Comprehensive
Plan relating to subarea plans.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Memo
2. Proposed Ordinance and Exhibits
3. Planning Commission Findings of Fact and Reasons for Action
4. Planning Commission minutes
Other background information is on file at the Council office.
SEPA review required? ( X ) Yes ( ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing? ( ) Yes (XI ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( X ) Yes ( ) NO Requested Date
I The Council must hold o hearing if they want to change the Planning Commission's
reconiniendation(WCC 2.160.100(B)).
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing,you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate. Be
clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
Repeal the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan and amend provisions in the Whatcom County Comprehensive
Plan relating to subarea plans. The Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan was adopted in 1986,prior to
enactment of the Growth Management Act GMA in 1990.
NOTE:Final approval of these amendments would occur as part of concurrent review of comprehensive plan amendments in early 2014.
COMMITTEE ACTION: COUNCIL ACTION:
7/09/2013: Recommended forward for concurrent 6/04/2013: Introduced
review 7/09/2013: Council forwarded to concurrent
review 7-0
1/28/2014: Council Adopted 5-0-2, Buchanan &
Browne abstained Ord. 2014-005
Related County Contract#: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number:
Ord. 2014-005
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing on
the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us/council.
6-04-2013
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: PDS
INTRODUCTION DATE: 6/4/2013
ORDINANCE NO. 2014-005
REPEALING THE 1986 CHUCKANUT-LAKE SAMISH SUBAREA PLAN
AND AMENDING PROVISIONS IN THE WHATCOM COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RELATING TO SUBAREA PLANS
WHEREAS, The Whatcom County Council initiated the subject amendments for review in
2013; and
WHEREAS, The Whatcom County Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 9,
2013; and
WHEREAS, The Whatcom County Planning Commission recommended the comprehensive
plan amendments on May 9, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The County Council hereby adopts the following findings of fact:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The subject proposal includes:
a. Amending Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan provisions relating to subarea
plans.
b. Repealing the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan (1986).
2. A determination of non-significance (DNS)was issued under the State Environmental
Policy Act (SEPA) on April 5, 2013.
3. Notice of the Planning Commission hearing was posted on the County website on April
9, 2013.
4. Notice of the Planning Commission hearing and that the proposal had been posted on the
County website was sent to the City of Bellingham and citizen, media and other groups on
the County's e-mail list on April 10, 2013.
5. Notice of the subject amendments was submitted to the Washington State Department of
Commerce on April 18, 2013.
1
6. Notice of the Planning Commission hearing for the subject amendments was published in
the Bellingham Herald on April 26, 2013.
7. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the subject amendments on May 9,
2013.
8. Pursuant to WCC 2.160.080, in order to approve the proposed comprehensive plan
amendments the County must find all of the following:
a. The amendment conforms to the requirements of the Growth Management Act, is
internally consistent with the county-wide planning policies and is consistent with
any interlocal planning agreements.
b. Further studies made or accepted by the Department of Planning and
Development Services indicate changed conditions that show need for the
amendment.
c. The public interest will be served by approving the amendment. In determining
whether the public interest will be served, factors including but not limited to the
following shall be considered:
i. The anticipated effect upon the rate or distribution of population growth,
employment growth, development, and conversion of land as envisioned
in the comprehensive plan.
ii. The anticipated effect on the ability of the county and/or other service
providers, such as cities, schools, water and/or sewer purveyors, fire
districts, and others as applicable, to provide adequate services and public
facilities including transportation facilities.
iii. Anticipated impact upon designated agricultural, forest and mineral
resource lands.
d. The amendment does not include or facilitate spot zoning.
e. Urban growth area amendments that propose the expansion of an urban growth
area boundary are required to acquire development rights from a designated TDR
sending area, with certain exceptions.
Growth Management Act
9. The Growth Management Act (GMA) allows, but does not require, a county to adopt
subarea plans under RCW 36.70A.080 ("Comprehensive plans— Optional elements").
2
10. However, the GMA requires that subarea plans must be consistent with a county's
comprehensive plan. Specifically, RCW 36.70A.080(2) states: "A comprehensive plan
may include, where appropriate, subarea plans, each of which is consistent with the
comprehensive plan."
11. The Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan was adopted in 1986, prior to enactment of the
GMA in 1990. The Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1997 and
subsequently amended from time to time. The Subarea Plan is inconsistent with the
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, the Subarea Plan does not address
urban growth areas (UGAs), contains different land use designations, is inconsistent with
the Comprehensive Plan's rural element, and has a different planning period.
County-Wide Planning Policies
12. The County-Wide Planning Policies do not require the County to retain old subarea plans.
Interlocal Agreements
13. A portion of the Bellingham UGA is included in the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea.
14. An interlocal agreement between the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County
concerning Planning, Annexation and Development within the Bellingham UGA was
signed in April 2012. This interlocal agreement does not require the County to retain this
subarea plan.
Further Studies/Changed Conditions
15. The Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan was adopted in 1986.
16. The GMA, adopted in 1990, included a requirement to designate UGAs. The 1986
Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan does not address UGAs.
17. The GMA was amended in 1997 to include criteria for limited areas of more intensive
rural development (LAMIRDs). The 1986 Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan does
not address LAMIRDs.
18. The Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan was originally adopted in 1997, and
subsequently amended. The 1986 Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan is not consistent
with the County Comprehensive Plan.
19. The 1986 Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan utilized a 15-year planning period
(which ended in 2001).
20. The Urban Fringe Plan was adopted in 1997 and subsequently amended.
3
21. The City of Bellingham Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2006 and subsequently
amended.
22. Changed conditions including enactment of the GMA, adoption of newer plans and the
passage of time warrant repealing the 1986 Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan.
Public Interest
23. Repealing the 1986 Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan will serve the public interest
by removing a plan that is inconsistent with the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.
Spot Zoning
24. The subject proposal does not involve rezoning property.
CONCLUSIONS
The subject proposal is consistent with the approval criteria of WCC 2.160.080.
4
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that:
Section 1. The Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan Chapter 2 (Land Use) is hereby amended
as shown on Exhibit A.
Section 2. The Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan (1986) is hereby repealed as shown on
Exhibit B.
Section 3. Adjudication of invalidity of any of the sections, clauses, or provisions of this
ordinance shall not affect or impair the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any part thereof
other than the part so declared to be invalid.
ADOPTED this 28th day of January 2014.
.001111111011,/
; ®�
®®\\''‘‘- C i®®� WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
O °° ° .1/ ®® WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
0 COUNTY , °,r-
`"""°:
`
9
Dan ..Brow�-F..6 guficil C` rk Carl Weimer, Council Chair
®, ®®®° ®0 ®°q
APPROVED as to form: XApproved ()De a ied
•
4
Gvil13eyii—Proseeutor Jack Louw Executive
/ f l ... 1/
5
Exhibit A
Amend Chapter 2 of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan as follows:
Policy 2L-2: Retain and periodically reviewupdate the adopted Subarea Plans
(Lummi Island, Cherry Point-Ferndale, Lake Whatcom, Urban
Fringe, Lynden-Nooksack Valley, ut--Lake Saari—Birch
Bay-Blaine, Foothills, Point Roberts, South Fork Valley, and Eliza
Island). Subarea Plans represent a long history of plan
development in Whatcom County and provided the foundation for
the county's first Growth Management comprehensive plan adopted
in 1997.
NOTE: The text of Policy 2L-2 above is also being amended in association with the proposed repeal of
the Birch Bay-Blaine Subarea Plan (file # 2013-00005) and the proposed repeal of the Lynden-
Nooksack Valley Subarea Plan (file #2013-00007). The changes to Policy 2L-2 proposed in the
subject amendment are intended to be harmonious and compatible with the changes to Policy 2L-2
proposed in these other two amendments.
Exhibit B
(Repealing the Subarea Plan)
CHUCKANUT
LAKE' SAMISH '-
SUBAREA
a component of the
Whatcom County
Comprehensive Land Use Plan •
• o P. o Eobc oho oobmom
o otozo10 Eoamccr. ombewsm
• 0 . oansf2-0 ° Fsamcd-, Es ombmffseD. x .
0 0mas ooDtA000 oo� oc� x
o atm FA mos oob oon x .
0 17gDca 000 --McD6Pg n Un.111,so ooapoon
0 J on00an ng - J o'„mnoo Zoxibearsea
• Chuckanut - Lake Samish Subarea
0 ooma nn boo llsw embinEsn.
• 0 000ndf,k of bmfcom
•
•
CHUCKANUT-LAKE SAMISH SUBAREA
•
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
•
May, 1986
Whatcom County Executive
• Shirley Van Zanten
Whatcom County Council
•
Don Hansey, Chairman R.W. "Bob" Muenscher
Thomas Burton William Roehl
Jim Hawley Daniel Warner
C.J. "Corky" Johnson
1 ' Whatcom County Planning Commission
Peggy Hinton, Chairman David Simpson
Emil deWilde Faruk Taysi
James Freeman Alvin Van Dalen
Louise Greer John Vanderhage
• Al Hickinbotham
Whatcom County Planning Staff
William G. Trim, Director
Sandra Palm, Planner III
Diane E. Harper, Planner II
Carl F. Batchelor, Planner I
• Elizabeth K. Olsen, Cartographer
Sharon Hayes, Administrative Aide
Carrie Unick, Word Processor
Whatcom County Planning Department
401 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
t.
•
•
•
THE CBUCKANUT-LAKE SAMISH SUBAREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A COMPONENT OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
•
•
•
Adopted this Li( day of , 1986
•
by the Whatcom County Planning Commis on.
•
•
Peg9*017 ton, Chairman
William Trimm, Secretary
Certified this / day of 1986
by the Whatcom County Council.
// S
• 1 ,
Donald G. ansey ,
Approved this o2. day of , 1986
by the Whatcom County Executive. �-
Shirley•
ILLA
•
,V Zanten `Executive
Attest: 3
By: f;''L ►.4.'.c !�
Clerk of the Council/
Reviewed this day of , 1986
by the Boundary Review Board.
Stewart Buttrick, Chairperson
Endorsed this day of , 1.986
by the City of Bellingham.
Tim Douglas, Mayor
•
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANNING
A. Statutory Authority 1
B. Definition and Application 1
C. Subarea Planning Concept 1
D. Whatcom County Planning Process 2
E. Plan Format 2
II. GOAL STATEMENTS 5
III. POPULATION FORECASTS 8
IV. ' SUBAREA DESCRIPTION 11
V. LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
A. Introduction 17
B. Rationale and Locational Criteria 17
•
1. Urban Reserve 17
2. Residential Rural 19
3. Rural 20
4. Forestry 22
5. Public 23
6. Quasi-Public 23
7. Neighborhood Commercial 24
• 8. Tourist Commercial 25
VI. POLICIES
A. Introduction 26
B. Land Use Designation Policies 26
1. Urban Reserve 28
2. Residential Rural 31
3. Rural 34
4. Forestry 36
5. Public 39
6. Quasi-Public 41
7. Neighborhood Commercial 42
8. Tourist Commercial 44
C. Community Facilities and Resources Policies 45
1. Community Utilities and Services 46
2. Transportation System 49
Transportation Map 52
"' 3. Environmental Resources 53
Environmental Constraints Map 56
4. Economic Resources 57
S:.. • 5. Land Use Development Options 58
f .
VII. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS 59
VIII. COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN MAP 60
3;
•
•
•
I. COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANNING
A. STATUTORY AUTHORITY
• Statutory authority for county comprehensive land use planning is establish-
• ed in the Washington State Planning Enabling Act, in which it is stated that
"each planning agency shall prepare a comprehensive plan for the orderly
physical development of the county or any portion thereof. . ."
(RCW 36.70.320). The Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Comprehensive Plan has
been developed in response to statutory authority, as well as in recognition
of the widely accepted principle that future Whatcom County land use
•
decisions should be made in a coordinated and responsible manner by both the
public and private sectors.
B. DEFINITION AND APPLICATION
•
The Whatcom County , Comprehensive Plan is defined as an official public
document to be utilized by both the public and private sectors as a policy
guideline for making orderly and desirable decisions concerning the future
use of land in the County. The plan has been formulated by the Whatcom
County Planning Commission and is comprehensive, general and long-range in
nature. The plan is comprehensive in that it encompasses major geographic
areas of the county and the functional elements that bear on physical
development; general, in that it summarizes major policies and proposals
and is not, by statute, a detailed regulation; and long-range, in that it
•
not only addresses current issues, but also anticipated problems and
possibilities of the future.
• The purpose of this document is to foster a responsible process of land use
c . decision-making. The goals, policies and land use plan map contained herein
serve to amend the 1970 Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan for the geographic
area contained in the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea. The 1970 plan served
as a basic plan for the 1970's, but as times change, people's attitudes,
technologies and economies also change. Consequently, the primary
decision-making document of local government must be revised to address
current and anticipated issues of the future.
• In consideration of the changes that have occurred since the existing plan
was adopted, the Planning Commission resolved in December, 1978 to revise
and update the 1970 Comprehensive Plan. The Commission is also aware that
changes will continue through the 1980's and has realized that the policies
contained herein will be subject to modification and revision over a period
of time. As is discussed in the following section, this subarea plan will
be revised on a five-year basis.
C. SUBAREA PLANNING CONCEPT
Because of the county's diverse physical and cultural make-up, the Planning
Commission elected to revise the plan on an individual geographic area
basis. Thus, the Commission divided the western one-third of the county
l ica
into ten logical geographic areas where the
" - g' g g planning process could be
ti
1
1.-;
applied in a uniform and consistent manner. Denoted as ."subareas", these
geographic areas were delineated to address various land use related issues
that appeared to be unique to particular areas of the county.
The criteria utilized by the Commission to delineate the subarea boundaries
include natural and physical features; political subdivisions, such as
special purpose districts (sewer, water, fire, school, etc.); existing land
•
use patterns; and the presence of a city or town (where applicable) to act
as a nucleus for the area. Thus, subareas are planning units determined
through the application of criteria and considered as a practical means
of revising the comprehensive plan in a consistent orderly fashion.
D. WRATCOM COUNTY PLANNING PROCESS
The Whatcom County comprehensive planning process is defined as a continual
program of evaluating goals, conducting various land-related studies, and
then utilizing such goals and studies to fashion a balanced and practical
set of land use policies and proposals for the future use of land in the
County. Stated differently, the planning process serves as a blueprint for
the logical development of the comprehensive plan, as well as the formula-
tion of effective implementation tools.
The process describes, through a logical sequence, the various land use
related factors that must be considered to effect the formulation of
responsible and meaningful land use policies and proposals. These factors
concern the following: the definition of county-wide goals; the inventory
and analysis of land use, community facilities and utilities, transportation
facilities and environmental resource characteristics; the forecasting of
population levels and the county's economic vitality; the analysis of
issues, both technical and citizen related; the development of policies to
resolve and/or address the relevant issues; and the transformation of
policies into the plan map and attendant implementation tools.
The planning process is continual. The implementation of the comprehensive
plan through the application and use of various regulatory tools must be
continually monitored. The effectiveness of the planning process in Whatcom
County relies heavily upon the county's ability to keep the major components
of the plan current through periodic review and adoption of any necessary
amendments.
E. PLAN FORMAT
The Comprehensive Plan for the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea includes the
necessary information for the appropriate formulation of land use decisions
by both the public and private sectors of Whatcom County. The components of
the plan include the following:
I. Comprehensive Land Use Planning: To assist both the public and
private sectors with respect to the development, adoption, and
amendment of the comprehensive plan policies and map.
2
•
II. Goal Statements: To • provide the overall direction for land use
planning in Whatcom County.
III. Population Forecasts: To correlate anticipated demand for land
uses with the supply of land.
IV. Subarea Description: To generally define subarea characteristics
and establish issue topics, as determined by area residents, the
Planning Commission and the planning staff.
V. Rationale and Locational Criteria: To establish the necessity of
• the land use designations and the spatial determinants to be
• utilized in applying the land use designations.
VI. Policies: To provide the primary decision making tools required
to address the land use, community facility and utility, trans-
portation/circulation, and environmental issues of the subarea.
VII. Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map: To reflect the spatial distribu-
tion of the policy statements together with the policies is
perhaps the most widely utilized component of the comprehensive
plan.
VIII. Amendment Criteria: To assist both the public and private sectors
with respect to revisions of the comprehensive plan policies and
map.
IX. Adoption Certificate and Ordinance: To acknowledge acceptance of
the plan by the Whatcom County Planning Commission and Council,
City of Bellingham, and the Boundary Review Board.
E.,v
Z.n
a'r.
L..).
3
•
Whatcom County Planning Process .
GOALS iu■■saauaa■a. INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS *sus'+ DETERMINATION OF ISSUES
BY SUBAREA
■
Land Use
CONTINOUS UPDATE residential e
commercial
industrial SUBAREA CITIZEN PARTICIPATION:
• Transportation Phase 1
IMPLEMENTATIONS
Comm. Services a
Zoning Ordinance
Population
Subdivision Regs .
Parks-Recreation
Shoreline Mgt . Physical Features FORMULATION OF PRELIMINARY
City agreements Shoreline Mgt . SUBAREA POLICIES AND PLAN
Floodplain Regs . MAP BY PLANNING COMMISSION
a
WHATCOM COUNTY PRELIMINARY SUBAREA �v SUBAREA CITIZEN PARTICIPATION:
COUNCIL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ,is Phase 2 .
E
■
a a ■
a a a • 'r
E
E
■s��e
•
PROPOSED SUBAREA PUBLIC HEARING 9', REFINEMENT OF PRELIMINARY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN sm. SUBAREA POLICIES AND PLAN
MAP BY PLANNING COMMISSION
II. GOAL STATEMENTS
•
The following goals provide the general direction for making land use
decisions in the subarea and Whatcom County as a whole. They were developed
and adopted by the Planning Commission and County Council in July 1979.
•
A. REGIONAL DESIGN GOALS
1. Future urban development should occur within or immediately
adjacent to existing urban areas in order to eliminate sprawl and
strip development, assure the provision of an adequate range of
urban services, conserve agricultural and forestry lands, optimize
investments in public services and conserve energy resources.
2. Future development in rural areas should be low density, comple-
ment existing rural character, contribute to the conservation of
agricultural and forest land and not result in demands for
urban-level services.
B. GROWTH MANAGEMENT GOALS
1. To promote a conscientious program designed to plan, guide and
influence the appropriate location, timing, intensity, type and
servicing of diverse land use patterns.
• 2. To determine the required amounts of land anticipated to be
utilized within the planning period (15 years) while retaining
options for future land use decisions beyond the planning period.
3. To encourage a predictable pattern of urban and rural development
which utilizes previously committed land areas and existing
facility investments before committing new areas for development.
4. To ensure that a beneficial balance exists between the supply and
demand for public services. To encourage the cooperation among
• municipalities, special districts, and associations in the
f1 planning and provision of public services. To discourage the
proliferation of unnecessary special purpose districts.
5. To develop a concise, equitable and practical set of land use
regulations intended to implement the goals, policies and pro-
posals of the County Comprehensive Plan in a timely and orderly
fashion.
• C. LAND USE GOALS
1. To conserve the agricultural and forest lands of Whatcom County
for the continued production of food, forage and timber crops
•
while promoting the expansion and stability of the county's
agricultural and forestry economies.
5
•
2. Urban residential development should be planned in areas that can
be economically and efficiently served with existing or planned
services, optimize energy use, function as integral neighborhood
units and can environmentally support intensive land uses.
3. Adequate community and neighborhood commercial facilities should
be encouraged in appropriate locations while avoiding incompatible
land uses and the proliferation of unnecessary new commercial
areas.
•
4. To encourage a balanced and diversified economy in order to assure
desirable local employment opportunities and to strengthen and
stabilize the tax base. To accommodate anticipated economic
development in an environmentally responsible manner with due
consideration for public cost, energy availability, land use
compatibility and transportation accessibility.
5. To promote the availability of economical and attractive housing
for all income, age and ethnic groups, while also enhancing the
integrity and identity of existing communities.
6. To promote a functional, coordinated and multi-mode transportation
system which provides for the safe and efficient movement of
people and goods, avoids undesirable environmental impacts, and
optimizes public investments and the conservation of energy
resources.
7. Adequate facilities and services which provide diverse education,
recreation, cultural and social opportunities should be
encouraged. '
D. CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES
• 1. To identify and manage environmentally sensitive areas in such a
manner as to prevent destruction of the resource base and reduce
potential losses to property and human life.
2. To continue the identification of cultural and natural resources
and formulate viable methods to preserve and conserve such
resources in recognition of their irreplaceable character.
3. To promote a park and recreation system which is integrated with
existing and planned land use patterns and is diverse, abundant
and assures maximum public access and usage.
E. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION
1. To assure opportunity for citizens to be involved in the formula-
tion of land use goals, policies and proposals and to provide a
structure for citizen participation in the planning program of
federal, state, regional and local agencies.
6
•
2. To participate in intergovernmental coordination with federal,
state, provincial, regional and local agencies, to develop a
coordinated approach to problems which transcend local government
bodies and to create an environment for the exchange of informa-
tion and technical assistance..
L;
L.L
7
•
III. POPULATION FORECASTS
• Introduction
•
The purpose of population forecasting, as it relates to land planning, is to
accommodate the long-term spatial requirements of various land uses such as
residential, commercial, recreational and public. Population forecasting
may also be of assistance in decision making for land use related matters,
such as determining the appropriate scale and location of public works
facilities and land development activities. Population forecasts are
•
subject to revision which may be accomplished in the five-year comprehensive
•
plan update process.
The population information contained herein is a summary of the forecasts
prepared' by several agencies. Because of the technical difficulties
involved with current and projected population assessment on a subarea
basis, the information has been presented by total county, unincorporated
county and incorporated community. Furthermore, this information has been
used in a qualitative manner or as a general guideline, rather than as a
specific numerical forecast. To relate this information to the Chuckanut--
Lake Samish Subarea Comprehensive Plan, the following assumptions are
established:
•
1. The majority of population growth will occur in the URBAN RESERVE and
RESIDENTIAL-RURAL areas.
2. The remainder of population growth will occur in RURAL areas.
3. The rate of population growth will be at unincorporated Whatcom County
•
• rates (Table B).
Tables A, B and C respectively relate to total Whatcom County, unincor--
porated Whatcom County and City of Bellingham population trends and fore-
casts. Figures 1, 2 and 3 present this information in a graphical format.
The remainder of the information summarizes the various assumptions and
variables which may affect the included population forecasts.
Assumptions Relating to Population Forecasts
All population forecasts are based on assumptions which affect the numerical
results, and population forecasting agencies do not make the same assump-
tions. The following items are intended to present an overview of assump-
tions as they relate to Whatcom County populations:
1. In-migrations will continue to contribute substantially to population
increases at the Washington State and Whatcom County levels.
2. The trend of decreasing family size and population per household will
continue.
3. Labor market potential and location will affect population distribu--
tion, gross natural increase and in-migration levels.
8
4. The purpose of the population forecast affects assumption utilization,
which in turn affect the results.
Variables Affecting Population Forecasts
Agencies which prepare population forecasts often make revisions due to
changes in the variables affecting their assumptions. The following
variables are intended as an overview for potential Whatcom County popula-
tion forecast revisions and may not affect all the agencies whose forecasts
are contained herein:
1. Changes in Whatcom County birth, death and in-migration rates.
2, Changes in the level of industrial development and the related labor
market potential of Whatcom County.
3. Changes in the Canadian economy and the related level of Canadian
spending9 in Whatcom County.
4. Changes in the demand for the products of local resources such as
agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining by local state, national, and
international markets.
9
FIGURE I
TOTAL WHATCOM COUNTY
POPULATION TRENDS AND FORECASTS = 1970-2000
mods)
190
/WCCOG
180 /
/
170 /
/ CBI
e MEAN
160
/ ,' .OFM
/ ,• •
150
140 / BPA
• ,i
o /
130 / • ir•
/ -•
p // •�;
120 •%•'
i
a ••
•
HO • •j
FIGURE 2
UNINCORPORATED WHATCOM COUNTY
POPULATION TRENDS AND FORECASTS : 1970 - 2000
(1000's)
90
MEAN
80
70
60
z
5•
-� 40
0
0
°' 30
20
10
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
YEAR
TABLE B
UNINCORPORATED WHATCOM COUNTY POPULATION TRENDS AND FORECASTS: 1970-2000
Research
Agency 1970 1930 1985 1990 1995 2000
U.S. Census 34,004 48,628
CBI: EIS1 47,652 56,825 64,456 74,026 84,769
WCCOG2 6 46,451 55,340 64,30S 73,603 86,210
Mean - -- 56,083 64 ,381 73,81S 85,490
ANNUAL GROWTH RATES
1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000
3.u4%5 2.84%3_ 2.88%7
*Refer to page lOdfor footnotes.
10b
FIGURE 3
BELLINGHAM POPULATION
TRENDS AND FORECASTS : 1970 — 2000
( 1,000's)
90
' 80
.WCCOG
70 ., MEAN
�.
••• CBI
60
0 ..••
F-
a
---I 40
a
0
a 30
20
10
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
YEAR
TABLE C
BELLINGHAM POPULATION TRENDS AND FORECASTS: 1970-2000
Research
Agency 1970 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
U.S. Census 39,375 45,794
CBU: EIS1 44,672 49,336 53,287 57,873 62,888
WCCOG2 46,000 52,691. 58,890 65,660 73,210
Mean --- --- 50,691 56,890 61,660 68,049
ANNUAL GROWTH RATES
1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000
1.52% 2.05%6 1.83%7
*Refer to page 10dfor footnotes. lOc
Footnotes
1Parametrix, Inc. et al: Environmental Impact Statement for Chicago Bridge &
Iron Co./Snelson Anvil, Inc. , Cherry Point Marine Construction Facility;
page 198.
2Whatcom County Council of Governments; Population Forecasts; June, 1980.
• 30ffice of Financial Management; "Special Report #36 Forecasts of the State
• and County Populations by Age and Sex: 1985-2000"; May, 1981.
4Bonneville Power Administration; Population, Employment and Households
Projected to 2000; July, 1979.
5Annual growth rates are based upon the official 1970 and 1980 U.S. Census
figures.
5Annual growth rates are based upon the official 1980 U.S. Census figure and
the 1990 mean calculation figure.
'Annual growth rates are based upon the 1990 and 2000 mean calculation
figures.
8In-migration is equal to total population less natural increase, in which
natural increase is equal to total births less total deaths.
9The Whatcom County Council of Government's population forecast exhibits a
high correlation with the Canadian Impact Study and is thus presumed to
accommodate Canadian spending.
10d
•
I : •
IV. SUBAREA DESCRIPTION
•
A. INTRODUCTION
• The Chuckanut--Lake Samish Subarea is generally bounded on the north by the
City of Bellingham, on the south by Skagit County, on the east by the crest
of Lookout Mountain which forms the boundary between the Lake Samish and
Lake Whatcom watersheds, and on the west by the City of Bellingham and
Chuckanut coastline.
Subarea boundaries were delineated by the Planning Commission in 1979 prior
• to beginning the comprehensive plan update process. Delineation of the
Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea was based on political boundaries and a
• commonality of natural and cultural elements. It contains approximately
17,900 acres of land and comprises about four percent (4%) of the land area
of the western one-third (1/3) of Whatcom County. Approximately 950 dwell-
ing units exist within the subarea, giving it an estimated two percent (2%)
of the total population of Whatcom County, or about four and one-half
percent (4 1/2%) of the population of unincorporated Whatcom County.
The Subarea was divided for purposes of analysis into three geographic areas
that generally reflect the boundaries of neighborhood interest: the Chucks-
" nut Drive corridor, the Yew Street corridor and the Lake Samish watershed.
The map on the following page shows the location of the entire subarea and
indicates the three analysis areas.
B. FINDINGS
In November 1984, the Whatcom County Planning Department completed the
Background Document for the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea. A portion of the
study area contains descriptions of existing conditions concerning land use,
• the physical environment, transportation system, and community facilities
and utilities. In addition, the report identified specific issues for the
analysis areas: Yew Street, Lake Samish and Chuckanut. The issues identi-
�,; • fied by the Planning Department staff, Planning Commission and citizens have
been evaluated and addressed through the development of specific comprehen-
sive plan policy statements. This statement of findings provides a summary
of the background information upon which the issues discussed herein are
based. For additional detail, the Chuckanut Lake Samish Subarea Background
Document can be consulted.
•
•
11
•
'1
. .
•
,.
.•
CHUCKANUT
:.
. .
LAKE SAMISH SUBAREA
ANALYSIS AREAS
•
. / '
le) . , • ........ ,
ss
.T,. ; .I „s„
, .
I . ,
Yew St.
1 ' Analysis Area
IN
CITY c=I ,
p. i, ., ,`,.,•
. _
111111‘
s
' '`''u u!u 11111111M11111011111011111171\'.., ti` I. ' rnlrR ong 1----- t'
Chuckanut 2 /
�
,w Lake Samish Analysis Area x,
0 '' _ ,
Analysis Area 1`N, ,1
�:. �1!Nlrl=
1 ..PP ... ....
.,,,, , ..„„,* ,0
s % lesc s
\I 7,-„, \ _.... ..tee `
,
•` 1. " --`-"._iGa�.w,i -..' i.T.-.7. 'R1.*h *L'KLWfr11i 1L Si)
■ t,f...1I
Legend
north
ninon Analysis Area Boundary
I 1 1 i
2000 0 4000
12
Land Use Description
Land uses in the subarea are primarily those associated with a forested or
rural area; Much of the subarea is inaccessible due to steep slopes and
rugged terrain. Forest land is the dominant use comprising 12,643 acres or
approximately 71% of all land uses. Of this total, approximately
8,345 acres are in forestry current use tax status which generally indicates
• a commitment to continued forestry use. Commercial forestry operations are
situated on the north, south and west sides of Lake Samish and. in scattered
locations on Chuckanut and Lookout mountains. Woodlot operations are also
scattered throughout the subarea. Public and quasi-public uses comprise
2,024 acres or 11% of the subarea and consist primarily of Larrabee State
• Park and smaller county parks.
Urban and rural residential land uses comprise 1,040 acres . or 5.8% of the
•
subarea. Residential uses are concentrated along Chuckanut Drive, Yew
Street, Old Samish Highway and around Lake Samish. Vacant land consists of
1,131 acres representing 6.3% of all land uses and is scattered through-
out the subarea. Water areas, dominated by Lake Samish, consist of
•
852 acres or 4.8% of the subarea. Remaining land uses constitute less than
1% of all land uses and . are comprised of: agriculture; communications,
utilities and transportation (generally related to fire stations and
rights-of-ways) ; and industrial and small commercial uses. These uses are
scattered throughout the subarea.
Environmental Conditions
•
The environmental setting can best be described through the following
physical categories: topography, geology, geologically related resources,
surface water, soils, flora and fauna. The subarea generally is steeply •
Sloped. Sizeable areas of slopes from 1-15% are found in the northern
portion of the subarea between the Bellingham city limits and Galbraith
Road, and in the area south and west of Lake Samish. The predominant
geologic structure of the subarea is the Chuckanut Formation. A large semi-
circular deposit of phyllite occurs south of Lake Samish. Undifferentiated
Glacial Drift Deposits occur west of Yew Street and along Chuckanut Creek,
and two small Alluvial Deposits are situated on the north shore of Lake
- Samish. Geologic resources include groundwater, coal, gravel, quartz, clay
and sandstone. Coal reserves exist east of Lake Samish near Old Samish
Highway, Samish Way and Galbraith Lane. Crushed rock is being extracted
near the west end of Lake Samish.
•
Surface water is represented by Chuckanut Bay, Lake Samish and its Friday
Creek outlet, the small lakes of Chuckanut Mountain, as well as Chuckanut
Creek and the smaller streams situated on Chuckanut and Lookout mountains.
L- The lakes and streams of the subarea provide drainage, recreational and
wildlife habitat opportunities. Groundwater supplies in the subarea are
very limited, and long-term water supply should be a consideration in all
future development planning. Both groundwater and surface water areas have
experienced chemical and bacterial contamination, and measures to alleviate
further contamination should be considered.
c..
�. � 13
•
•
•
Most subarea soils are severely limited for urban uses but are highly
• suitable for forestry purposes. Small areas of soils with rapid permea-
bility are found in residential areas along Lake Samish, Chuckanut Drive and
southern. Yew Street and may provide inadequate filtration for septic
• effluent. Flora consists primarily of mixed coniferous-deciduous forest but
• includes some disturbed lands and aquatic vegetation. The subarea contains
various species of fish, birds and mammals. Marine waters along the
Chuckanut coastline contain a variety of marine life and are part of
the "Pacific Flyway" route for migratory waterfowl. In addition, several
subarea streams and lakes serve as habitats for spawning salmon.
•
•
Transportation
•
Subarea transportation consists of a railway and roadways classified as
Interstate, state route and county road. The portion of Interstate 5 in this
subarea is the primary access link between Whatcom County and the rest of
•
•
the state and Canada. Chuckanut Drive, a state highway, provides secondary
access by linking major communities north and south of the subarea and is •
classified as a minor arterial serving local traffic. In addition, Chucka-
nut Drive has been designated a State Scenic and Recreation Highway.
Other county roads that carry local north-south traffic to nearby communi-
ties are Yew Street, Old Samish Highway and a portion of North Lake Samish
Drive. Primary roads which carry east-west local traffic include Samish •
•
Way, Old Samish Highway and the portion of North Lake Samish Drive between
•
•
I-5 and East Lake Samish Drive.
•
Primary circulation routes in the subarea generally function at a level of
service that allows stable traffic flows. These routes include Chuckanut
Drive, roads in the north Lake Samish area, and North Lake Samish Drive
between East Lake Samish Drive and I-5. Each of these roads currently
experiences traffic flow problems at certain heavy road use times due to the
configuration of the roads.
The subarea is serviced by a section of the Burlington--Northern Railroad,
which parallels the Chuckanut coastline for 4.5 miles. A total of eight
freight trains pass through the subarea daily. At present, there is no
• passenger service on the line, but revival of the Pacific International is
being considered to serve the 1986 World Exposition in Vancouver, B.C.
• Community Facilities and Utilities
Utilities include the provision of water and wastewater disposal systems.
• The City of Bellingham currently operates the largest water system in the
• subarea and is the primary water purveyor in the Yew Street and Chuckanut
• areas. Other known purveyors in the subarea are the Autumn Lane Mobile
• Home Park, Calmore Cove Club, Lake Samish Mobile Home Terrace, Lutherwood
and Indian Village Campground water associations. Land use activities which
are not provided with water from one of the above purveyors are supplied by
their own wells or by drawing..water from Lake Samish. The City of Belling--
ham provides sewer service to the area immediately north of Lake Padden and
• to the unincorporated area at the northern end of Yew Street. The unsuit-
able soils in the Yew Street area make sewerage facilities essential for
14
large scale developments. Water District No. 12 provides sewage service in
the Lake Samish area. The. District maintains sewer lines along all urban-
ized portions of the lake's shoreline. The remaining land uses in the
subarea are dependent on private septic systems.
Community facilities in the subarea include education, public safety and
fire protection. School age children attend schools in the Bellingham
• School District: Future increases in school age populations are projected
to be within the capacities of affected Bellingham schools.
• Law enforcement in the subarea is provided by the Whatcom County Sheriff's
Department and Washington State Patrol. Limited additional support is
provided by the City of Bellingham Police Department, the State Parks
Department and the Whatcom County Parks Department. The Sheriff's Depart--
ment has the primary responsibility for law enforcement in the subarea
except for traffic enforcement on the state route Chuckanut Drive and on
Interstate 5. The Department consists of approximately 22 patrol deputies,
,. 4 detectives and 15 other commissioned officers with arrest powers. Three
patrol vehicles are deployed throughout the county 24 hours a day and an
f..:. average of 440 calls per year are presently received by the Sheriff's
Department. The subarea is considered to be a low crime area by the
• Sheriff's Department.
Fire protection is provided by three Whatcom County Fire Protection
t
Districts: No. 6 on Chuckanut; No. 9 south of Lake Samish; and No. 10 on
Yew Street. Each district has mutual aid agreements with other fire
protection districts and the City of Bellingham. In addition, Districts
No. 6 and No. 9 have mutual aid agreements with Skagit County Fire
Districts. All three districts have poor fire protection ratings due to the
: : ; lack of an adequate water distribution system. Future expansion of urban
development will require improvement of water distribution systems.
C. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND SUBAREA ISSUES_
The major issues of the Chuckanut Lake Samish Subarea are associated with
water availability and quality, wastewater system adequacy, geologic
constraints, and the economic resource represented by the attractiveness of
the area for residential development and public uses. The subarea back-
{., _ ground planning study and proposed land use designations were discussed with
citizens at three public meetings in the subarea. In addition, comments
were obtained from special districts, City of Bellingham and nonresident
land owners. The following is a summary of citizen issues for the three
analysis areas: Yew Street, Lake Samish and Chuckanut.
•
In the Yew Street analysis area, the issue of major concern to residents is
the potential extension of public utilities and its cost and impact on
development patterns. Although poor soils and water availability make the
extension of water and sewer services by the City of Bellingham attrac
tive, the existing rural character of most of the area is its primary
amenity. Most area residents strongly favor the current rural residential
• land use pattern and are quite averse to annexation by the City of Belling-
ham. The current land use is primarily rural, but there are several
existing subdivisions at urban densities.
15
Z.
Of particular concern to residents of the Lake Samish analysis area are the
existing level of recreational use, traffic problems due to road configura--
Lion, and an acceptable quality and quantity of a long-term water supply.
•
All of these issues contribute to concern about the amount and density of
future development. Provision of an alternative source of water is of
concern because Lake Samish potentially could be unusable with very little
warning due to accidental chemical spills from the Interstate. A related
concern of how to provide for an alternative water source without spurring
excessive development that would exacerbate other problems is a key issue to
current residents. Other issues include the appropriate development or
treatment of the major entrance corridor into Whatcom County and Lake
Samish water quality which is very vulnerable to deterioration caused by the
Interstate and by development.
• The Chuckanut Bay analysis area consists of the most accessible areas
containing great natural beauty in Whatcom County. The major issue is the
way that private development may be combined harmoniously with the extra-
ordinary scenic resource of Chuckanut Mountain and coastal vistas and with
the public's desire for physical access to scenic beaches and mountain
viewpoints. Other issues involve the upgrading of the current water service
by the City of Bellingham, traffic problems created by multiple use and
roadway configuration, and the geological constraints on development.
•
•
•
16
•
•
• V. LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
A. INTRODUCTION
• The land use designations as illustrated on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Ma p, together with the
policies, represent the most appropriate uses of land
. in the subarea for the planning period. These land use designations have
been developed as a means of addressing or resolving particular land use
needs. To be consistent in the application of the designations, as well as
to avoid confusion about how the land use boundaries were established, the
following rationale and locational criteria for each land use designation
are set forth.
•
•
B. RATIONALE AND LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
. 1. Urban Reserve
•
F"+
Rationale
It is a well established trend in the western United States for urban
areas to respond to growth pressures by outward expansion of their
boundaries. As long as this trend continues, there will be a continu-
ing demand for land, the most fundamental of all urban resources.
•
Although outward expansion is an accepted city planning practice,
problems have typically ypically arisen when potential urban lands have been
committed to long-term "nonurban" uses. Primarily caused by the lack
of coordinated public policy among governmental jurisdictions, this
situation has resulted in uncoordinated and costly service systems,
inefficient transportation networks and unmanageable land use patterns.
As a means of alleviating the problems associated with outward expan-
sion, the Comprehensive Plan establishes the URBAN RESERVE land use
designation. The rationale underlying the designation is to reserve
• certain land areas for future urban purposes and to encourage interim
uses that are complementary, to and compatible with future urban uses,
densities, and. services. When urban services are eventually provided
to these areas, land use densities shall increase and result in an
orderly, economic and expeditious transition from rural to urban land
• use patterns.
• The application of the URBAN RESERVE designation is intended to
accomplish the following objectives:
(a) To reduce urbanization and encroachment pressures on lands that
are most suitable for other uses.
(h) To stabilize land speculation and the artificial inflation of land
values in the "urban fringe" by designating an adequate amount of
land for urban growth and uses during the planning period.
(c) To provide land owners with a reasonable expectation of future
municipal and county land use policies.
17
•
•
(d) To reduce inequitable taxing structures on nonurban land located
near urbanizing areas.
(e) To conserve energy resources by reducing unnecessary travel
between living, shopping and work places.
(f) To encourage the conservation of natural resources and environ-
mentally sensitive areas, both within and outside of the area
designated as URBAN RESERVE.
The URBAN RESERVE designation is applied to those areas adjacent to
municipal boundaries that are appropriate for urban land use patterns
whenever a full range of urban services (sewer, water, storm drainage,
transportation improvements, and police and fire protection) can be
efficiently provided. It may also be applied to those satellite areas
where urban densities and services have been previously planned and the
available level of water and sewer service and existing land use
character warrant it. The City of Bellingham has formally concurred in
the provision of an urban level of services to the areas; however, any
proposed land annexation would have to be approved by the landowners,
by the Boundary Review Board pursuant to RCW 36.93.170, and in accord-
ance with the city's annexation policies as described in Ordinance
No. 9461.
Locational Criteria
The criteria to be utilized for the application of the URBAN RESERVE
designation include the following:
(1) Land areas adjacent to the City of Bellingham, or satellite areas,
that are of sufficient size to adequately accommodate the project-
ed demands for residential, commercial, transportation and
public uses for a ten- to fifteen-year period.
(2) Land areas where a range of urban services such as. sewer, water,
storm drainage, transportation improvements, fire and sheriff
protection, and parks and recreation presently exist or can be
economically and efficiently provided in the near future.
(3) Areas that contain an adequate supply of vacant urbanizable land
to avoid the artificial inflation of land values.
(4) The boundaries of the URBAN RESERVE designation should:
a. be well defined, logical, provide a physical "sense of
community", and be capable of being expanded to accommodate
additional urban growth as the need arises; and
b. acknowledge the existing character of land use densities and
the existing or potential level of utility servicing.
18
•
Zoning Density Criteria
The URBAN RESERVE comprehensive plan designation shall be implemented
• with two Urban Reserve zone district densities: three dwelling units
per acre and four dwelling units per acre. These densities are based
upon existing provision of an urban level of services including public
sewer, public water, storm drainage, transportation, fire and police
• protection. Until such time that public sewer and water are provided,
and stormwater drainage facilities are provided where specified by the
comprehensive plan policies, the density shall be one dwelling unit per
five acres. The density shall automatically become either three or
four dwelling units per acre according to the zone district when these
' services are provided. The following criteria define the application
of each of these densities.
• (1) The density of three dwelling units per acre shall be applied
r., where:
a. adjacent city land uses and neighborhood densities are less
r. .. than or equal to three dwelling units per acre;
•
b. the existing and planned transportation system or sewer and
water service levels prohibits increased density;
c. areas within a watershed used in providing water for domestic
purposes.
(2) The density of four dwelling units per acre shall be applied
where:
•
a. adjacent city land use densities are greater than or equal to
four dwelling units per acre;
h. the existing and planned transportation system and sewer and
water service level allow for increased density.
2. Residential Rural
Rationale
Not all citizens prefer to live in concentrated urban areas, instead
some prefer a setting of lower density. Lower density usually implies
that urban utility services (public provision of both sewer and water)
are not planned, sheriff and fire protection are provided to a lesser
degree than in urban areas, roadways have not been scheduled for
capital improvements to county standards, and the residential landscape
is visually different than in urban areas. Residents of such areas
usually rely on urban areas for amenities such as shopping, employment
and entertainment. Because of the nonurban nature of RESIDENTIAL RURAL
areas, transportation facilities are limited to a secondary arterial or
lower classification, and road improvements are limited to maintenance
only. Thus, the purpose of the RESIDENTIAL RURAL designation is to
19
•
provide land areas in close proximity to urban areas where nonurban
living patterns may develop with minimal public services.
Locational Criteria
The criteria to be used for the application of the RESIDENTIAL RURAL
designation include the following:
(1) Land currently served or planned to be served with a partial range
of urban level services, i.e. publicly provided sewer or water,
fire and sheriff protection, and storm drainage where appropriate;
(2) Land areas where low density residential development currently
exists and where such densities are planned to continue in the
future; and
(3) Lands containing soils that are generally not suitable for
agriculture, forestry or mineral extraction.
(4) The boundaries of Residential Rural areas should be well defined
by physical or man-made features.
3. Rural
Rationale
The present land use pattern in portions of the subarea is character-
ized by part to full-time farming or forestry and low density residen-
tial activity. This type of landscape can be considered as "rural",
i.e. an area containing a combination of pastureland, forest and
dispersed very low density residential settlement patterns.
Dispersed settlement patterns are a function of physical conditions
such as soils, water or topography that impose constraints to higher
densities of development. They also can be a function of the absence
of past and future public commitments for the provision of sewer, water
and roadway improvements. Very low density residential areas offer
alternative residential living styles allowing for preferences for
increased privacy, aesthetic advantages of particular sites, or
small scale agriculture and forestry, compared to that of the urban or
moderately dense residential setting.
These areas may contain nonrenewable natural resources, such as soils
which contribute to agricultural or forestry productivity, sand and
gravel deposits suitable for extraction, or natural scenic resources
that form the visual identity of an area. Existing parcel sizes are
large and would be able to accommodate land uses such as agricultural,
forestry or low to moderate density residential areas in future
planning periods.
The RURAL designation is important in the Subarea Plan because it
provides flexibility concerning very low density residential, forestry
and agricultural land uses while retaining a range of private and
public land use options for the future.
20
•
• • Locational Criteria
•
In order to define those locales where the RURAL designation would be
most appropriate, the following criteria are applied.
(1) Those areas that very low residential density and are
( possess a y
compatible with existing land use plans.
(2) Those areas where a buffer is needed between higher density
population and land use practices associated with commercial
agriculture and forestry.
(3) Those areas where features of the physical environment; such as
lack of adequate ground water, slow permeability rates, seasonal
ponding or steep topography require very low densities in order to
mitigate the impacts of these physical constraints. Also, those
areas where there exists the possibility of utilization of a
natural resource, i.e. , soils, sand/gravel, coal or timber.
•
(4) Those areas where there are no planned capital improvements to
community facilities, utilities or transportation systems.
Zoning Density Criteria
The RURAL comprehensive plan designation shall be implemented with
three Rural zone district densities: one dwelling unit per two acres;
one dwelling unit per five acres; and one dwelling unit per ten acres.
The following criteria define the application ' of each of these
densities.
.(1) The density of one dwelling unit per two acres shall be applied
where:
is
r..; a. existing density is less than or equal to one dwelling unit
per five acres and average parcel size is greater than or
equal to two acres;
b. physical limitations such as lack of adequate groundwater,
slow permeability rates, seasonal ponding or steep slopes
prohibit increased densities;
c. existing public services do not justify greater densities and
there are no planned capital improvements to existing public
services. .
d. maximum buildout at the prescribed density level will be
compatible with the surrounding land use character.
(2) The density of one dwelling unit per five acres shall be applied
where:
a. existing density is less than or equal to one dwelling unit
per ten acres and average parcel size is greater than or
equal to five acres;
21
•
•
b. b, c and d of Section 1 above are applicable.
(3) The density of one dwelling unit per ten acres shall be applied
where:
a. existing density is less than or equal to one dwelling unit
per twenty acres and average parcel size is greater than or
equal to ten acres;
• b. the possibility of the utilization of natural resources,
i.e. , sand/gravel, coal, timber requires low densities to
facilitate their extraction.
c. agriculture and silviculture are, or possibly could be,
viable economic enterprises.
d. b and c of Section 1 above are applicable.
4. Forestry
Rationale •
Forestry and related industries historically have been significant
factors in the local economy, a role which has expanded to affect
state, national and international economies. Not only is forestry
economically important, forest management provides a significant
renewable resource base to Whatcom County. In addition, forested areas
often contain nonrenewable mineral and nonmineral resources, serve as
wildlife habitats, and contribute to watershed management. Since
population increases may create pressure to irrevocably convert forest
land, it is important that Whatcom County provide for the long term
productivity of forest and related resources by. safeguarding prime
forest areas from conversion to nonforest uses. The purpose of the
FORESTRY designation is to preserve the viability of Whatcom County's
renewable and nonrenewable resource base.
Locational Criteria
Areas which are suitable for the FORESTRY designation may be identified
through analysis of the following factors:
(1) Land use patterns indicate a predominance of large parcel sizes
ranging from 20 to 640 acres.
(2) Parcels are usually owned for the purpose of growing and harvest--
ing timber by major timber industries, logging companies, the
State of Washington, or private individuals engaged in woodlot
operations.
(3) The majority of parcels are classified in forestry current use tax
assessment consistent with the provisions of Washington State law.
22
(4) There is a minimal amount of public roads and other services that
generally precede and augment residential development.
• (5) Certain physical constraints to residential development may also
•
exist such as slopes in. excess of 15%, soils that are not suitable
•
• for septic tanks or conventional building foundations, unstable '
geologic units, or important wildlife habitats.
•
•
•
(6) Nonrenewable natural resources such as minerals, coal, gravel or
•
• soils whose use is compatible with forestry management may also be
• present.
5. Public
Rationale
This designation recognizes those parcels and facilities currently
• under or planned for public ownership. The intent of this designation
is to assure continuation and potential expansion of public services at
levels consistent with population requirements, while providing
sufficient acreage to be compatible with surrounding land uses.
Locational Criteria
To identify areas which are suitable for the PUBLIC designation, the
following criteria are employed:
(1) Parcels are currently owned or are being considered for ownership
by public agencies such as the Federal Government, State of
Washington, Whatcom County, cities, special purpose districts such
as school, fire and water district and independent jurisdictions
such as the Port of Bellingham; and
(2) The function of parcel ownership is to provide public services
such as recreation; education, utilities, communications, trans--
portation (not including roadways), solid . waste disposal and
health care.
6. Quasi-Public
Rationale
The QUASI-PUBLIC land use designation distinguishes those areas where
public institutional uses exist that are under private control and
where the institutional land use is different, both in function and
attendant on-site and off-site impacts, from surrounding land uses. The
purpose of the QUASI-PUBLIC designation is to assure continuation of
institutional functions without being affected by or affecting stir-
,- rounding land uses.
23
•
•
Locational Criteria
Areas which should be designated as QUASI-PUBLIC shall conform to the
following criteria:
(1) Parcels are owned by institutions such as churches, universities,
colleges, schools or private foundations; and
(2) The purpose of parcel ownership is to provide education, religious
• training, meeting centers, day use recreational activities, summer
camps, preservation of a natural or historical resource, or a
combination thereof.
7. Neighborhood Commercial
Rationale
•
The delivery of goods and services to people is an integral part of our
economic system. The type of commercial activity is dependent on the
composition of the market to be served and represents several different
land use patterns. These land use patterns are designated as
neighborhood, general, tourist or resort commercial. To meet the
market needs of the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea, two commercial
designations are used: NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and TOURIST COMMERCIAL.
Locational Criteria
Areas suitable for the NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL designation shall
conform to the following criteria.
(1) Parcels are served by collector streets or minor or secondary
arterials.
(2) Parcels have the same level of sewer and water service as that
provided to the surrounding neighborhood.
(3) The designation is in a location central to the neighborhood area
the commercial activity would serve.
(4) The designation is applied to a minimum area of five acres
configured in a consolidated arrangement.
(5) The designation is applied to property located where ownership
patterns and land parcelization would be conducive to future
development.
(6) The designation should be located where a public need for a
neighborhood shopping area exists.
24
8. Tourist Commercial
Rationale
The rationale underlying the TOURIST COMMERCIAL designation is to serve
the traveling public with a limited range of goods and services
directly related to their transportation needs. TOURIST COMMERCIAL
areas are intended to serve vehicular, rail, truck and air
transportation systems. TOURIST COMMERCIAL areas should be located
near major transportation corridors and be designed to assure safe and
convenient access.
s. . Locational Criteria
Areas that are suitable for application of the TOURIST COMMERCIAL plan
designation conform to the following criteria.
•
(1) Parcels are served by principal or minor arterials, or major
collectors.
(2) Parcels will be provided with urban services including public
sewer and water, stormwater drainage, sheriff and fire protection;
except that existing areas that have concentrations of tourist
commercial uses may be recognized based on adequate levels of
wastewater disposal, water and fire flow.
(3) The designation is located in close proximity to major
transportation corridors including air, rail or road terminals, or
border crossings.
(4) The designation contains approximately ten acres, is configured to
provide safe and convenient access, and will not adversely impact
adjacent noncommercial activities.
:;. (5) The designation is located where a public need exists for TOURIST
COMMERCIAL types of uses.
•
16.E
k •
L
L"
•
25
VI. POLICIES
•
A. - INTRODUCTION
•
The policies, together with the comprehensive land use plan map, designate the
locations of the various land uses that are the most economic and suitable for
this planning period. The policies also indicate how Whatcom County can assure
orderly and economic implementation of the land use designations through actions
taken regarding community services and community resources. The policies specify
the course of action that Whatcom County shall follow in meeting the Whatcom
County Goal Statements listed in Section II.
B. LAND USE DESIGNATION POLICIES
• �,, The Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea is a relatively small subarea that is primarily
suitable for forestry, residential, and recreational uses as indicated by past
land use development patterns. Whatcom County has developed sixteen land use
: F designations to allow for the necessary flexibility and specificity in applying
land use standards, and seven of the land use designations are applied within
this subarea.
PUBLIC and QUASI-PUBLIC land use designation boundaries were determined by
current ownership and use as described, in the respective Locational Criteria.
Likewise, FORESTRY land use designation boundaries were determined by ownership,
• use and suitability as described in the Locational Criteria. The changes in
these boundaries from the previous comprehensive plan designation (1970) are
minor.
Residential land use designations were determined according to existing ownership
and density patterns, suitability for residential uses, and availability of
services as described in the URBAN RESERVE, RESIDENTIAL RURAL and RURAL Loca-
r
s tional Criteria. In addition, the changes in residential land use designations
from the previous comprehensive plan reflect the Regional Design Goals and Land
Use Goals in Section II and consider the following planning principles.
The economic impacts of proposed changes. The subarea has three population
clusters: Chuckanut Bay, Lake Samish shore and the Yew Street-Samish Way
: corridor. Each cluster is based upon an amenity that is important to the
continued economic attractiveness of the neighborhood. Changes in
residential density were made to protect the extraordinary scenic value of
Chuckanut Bay, the water quality of Lake Samish and the rural character of
the Yew Street-Samish Way corridor. In addition, densities were kept as
[.: high as possible to protect investments made on the basis of prior land use
designations.
The coordination of growth patterns with adjoining municipalities. Projec-
ted population growth of the City of Bellingham and land use designations
within its borders were considered when examining land use designations for
adjoining areas. In recognition of the existing and potential level of
services in the Yew Street area, 425 acres of land are designated as URBAN
RESERVE to accommodate population growth. The remainder of the Yew Street
area is designated at the same density level as the adjoining land within
the city.
26
•
Allowance for an ample amount of population growth. The unincorporated
.Whatcom County population growth projection in Section III indicates an
. approximate increase of 50% during this planning period of 15 years. Due to
. aesthetic and recreational amenities available in this subarea, a somewhat
greater than average increase might occur. The plan allows a sufficient
number of residential dwelling units to accommodate a 690% increase due to
the consistent application of the Locational Criteria and the consideration
of the preceding two objectives. •
•
• Before full development of the residential zones occurs, improvements must be
made to water, wastewater and transportation systems. The residential land use
designations including URBAN RESERVE, RESIDENTIAL RURAL, and RURAL were applied
by balancing the high densities of the prior Comprehensive Plan and the potential
carrying capacity of water sources, wastewater service options and feasible
transportation system service levels. In this subarea, RURAL areas primarily
reflect environmental constraints rather than multiple use capability. RURAL
areas also reflect the need for buffering between denser residential patterns and
typical commercial forestry practices. The RURAL zone of one dwelling unit per
ten acres is applied where there are extremely steep slopes, geologically
• unsuitable for development. The other RURAL densities were applied based upon
geologic conditions, steepness of slopes, and existing parcel size.
The final land use designations in this subarea are NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and
TOURIST COMMERCIAL. Small areas allowing for commercial uses are situated at the
north Lake Samish exit from I-5 and are intended to accommodate the convenience
buying needs of lake area residents and visitors. Because of this subarea's
topography and/or level of services, no large scale commercial, industrial or
agricultural land use is projected.
The following sections provide policies for each .land use designation. The
format for these policies is:
.01 Purpose, Uses, and Densities
.02 Land Use Designation Boundaries
.03 Zoning District Boundaries
.04 Community Facilities and Resources
.05 Other
The intent of the policies for each land use designation is contained in a brief
introductory discussion in each section.
27
1 r7
•
1. Urban Reserve
The primary purpose of the URBAN RESERVE policy is to promote an orderly transi-
tion from rural land uses and densities to urban uses and densities, while moving
toward the attainment of the Regional Design Goal with respect to future urban
development. In addition, the policy intends to encourage the responsible growth
of urban areas by assuring that an adequate range of urban services (sewer, storm
water. drainage, schools, parks, water, fire and sheriff protection) are available
to support urban level densities. When such services are available, development
should occur in neighborhood units which have appropriate levels of densities,
•
uses, and circulation. networks.
To facilitate future urban growth, the URBAN RESERVE policy is intended to
discourage the establishment of interim uses and subdivision patterns which may
foreclose significant future alternatives pertaining to urban densities and the
efficient provision of services. Moreover, this policy is intended to maintain,
prior to the approval of an accepted site specific plan for the implementation of
services, the low density character of the area and to allow reasonable uses of
property by permitting compatible residential, recreational, commercial, forestry
and agricultural land uses.
1.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to promote an orderly transition from
rural land uses and densities to urban uses and densities by designating
certain portions of the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea as URBAN RESERVE.
1.01.1 The predominant land use pattern within the URBAN RESERVE areas
shall be residential and related forms, including neighborhood
commercial, neighborhood parks and other public uses. The URBAN
RESERVE policy discourages the establishment of interim uses and
.subdivision patterns that can foreclose significant alternatives
pertaining to future urban densities and the efficient provision
of services. Therefore, this policy maintains the low density
character of the area while permitting compatible residential,
• recreational, commercial and forestry land uses until an urban
level of water, and sewer and stormwater facilities are available.
1.01.2 To implement this policy the two residential zone districts
densities of three or four dwelling units per acre shall not go
into effect until such time that a full range of urban services is
provided as specified in Section 1.04 below. In areas where such
services do not yet exist, the applicable density shall be one
dwelling unit per five acres of land.
1.02 The following areas shall be designated as URBAN RESERVE and indicated as
such on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map.
1.02.1 The northern Yew Street area bounded by the City of Bellingham on
the west and north,' Democrat Street on the south and property
lines approximately 800 feet east of Yew Street on the east.
1.02.2 The southern Yew Street area bounded by the City of Bellingham on
the west and south, including parcels west of the boundary between
Section 4 & 5 and 8 & 9, larger than 20 acres north to the Harris
Road easement, and parcels east of Yew Street to the eastern edge
28
•
of the mobile home park that is near the northwest corner of the
intersection of Yew Street and Samish Way.
1.03 Whatcom County shall implement the URBAN RESERVE land use designation by
application of the URBAN RESIDENTIAL Zone District, which has two densities
after urban services have been provided. The density is either three
dwelling units per acre or four dwelling units per acre and is applied based
upon the URBAN RESERVE Locational Criteria.
1.03.1 In the northern' Yew Street area bounded as indicated in 1.02.1,
above, the density shall be four dwelling units per acre.
1.03.2 In the southern Yew Street area bounded as indicated in 1.02.2,
above, the density shall be three dwelling units per acre.
•
1.04 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage efficient land use patterns
and the cooperation among municipalities, special districts, associations,
and other governmental agencies in provision of a full range of urban
services in the URBAN RESERVE areas.
1.04.1 In both . URBAN RESERVE areas, public sewer and water shall be
provided by the City of Bellingham. Until such time that public
sewer and water is provided, the area designated for a density of
one dwelling unit per five acres shall be supplied by wells and
private septic drainfields.
1.04.2 In both URBAN RESERVE areas stormwater drainage facilities shall
be subject to the regional stormwater management plan now being
developed. On-site stormwater collection and retention shall be
required during development and in accordance with the regional
stormwater management plan when adopted by the county.
1.04.3 Where urbanization occurs on the periphery of large lot land use
forms, urban residential subdivisions and other urban uses shall
be designed to buffer less intensively utilized parcels with
adequate landscaping, screening or fencing to prevent encroachment
by vehicles, pedestrians, animals and nuisances.
1.04.4 Where practical, subdivisions and other urban uses adjoining other
zone districts shall be designed so that vehicular and pedestrian
networks are channelled to the internal area of the site and
intersections with county roads are as few as possible.
1.04.5 Cluster subdivision and Planned Unit Development shall be allowed
in URBAN RESERVE areas and encouraged for large parcels. These
alternative methods of land subdivision are described more fully
in Section C.4.
1.05 It is the policy of Whatcom County to cooperate with municipalities within
the county to effectively manage growth. If the City of Bellingham amends
its residential density zone designations in the areas north, south, and
west of the city/county boundary in the Yew Street area, or when the Byron-
Consolidation roadway is scheduled for completion, Whatcom County shall
29
•
reexamine the land use designations in the Yew Street area for possible
expansion of the URBAN RESERVE areas.
• 1.05.1 To further a joint exchange of information Whatcom County shall
send copies of applications for major land use, transportation and
service entity activities proposed within 'the subarea to the City
of Bellingham within fifteen (15) days of application receipt by
the county.
1.05.2 The City of Bellingham is requested to send copies of future
proposals concerning the expansion of the City's Water Service
Zone boundaries, Sewer Service Zone boundaries, and comprehensive
plan and zone amendments to the Whatcom County Planning Department
so that the County may respond appropriately. •
30
•
2. Residential Rural
The intent of the RESIDENTIAL RURAL land use designation is to maintain the
existing low density character of an area. Densities should range from one
dwelling unit per acre to three dwelling units per acre, depending upon the range
of county approved services, existing lot sizes, prior density and location. If
there is adequate transportation capacities, publicly provided sewer or water,
and lot sizes of greater than one acre exist or are planned, the density of
residential development shall be one dwelling unit per acre. Where a partial
range of services exist or are planned and the average lot size is less than or
equal to 18,000 square feet, the density of residential development shall be two
dwelling units per acre. Three dwelling units per acre is applied only where the
prior density was equal to or greater than three dwelling units per acre and the
area is inappropriate for the Urban Reserve designation. As ,a means of
efficiently utilizing land, maintaining the present low density residential
character and retaining options regarding increased densities and services in the
future, it is the intent of the RESIDENTIAL RURAL designation to provide for the
option of "clustering" in the design of new subdivision proposals.
2.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to maintain the character of existing low
density residential areas by designating certain portions of the Chuckanut-
Lake Samish Subarea as RESIDENTIAL RURAL.
2.01. 1 Within the areas designated as RESIDENTIAL RURAL typical uses
shall include single-family attached and detached dwellings,
public parks and recreation facilities, home occupations, and
neighborhood grocery stores.
2.01.2 To implement this policy residential densities of either one
dwelling unit per acre or two dwelling units per acre shall be
provided.
2.02 The following areas shall be designated as RESIDENTIAL RURAL and indicated
as such on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map.
2.02.1 The Chuckanut Shore area which is bounded by Larrabee Park on the
south, the City of Bellingham on the north, the Interurban Trail
or property lines on the east that lie within the water service
boundaries 300 feet east of Chuckanut Drive and Chuckanut Bay on
the west.
2.02.2 The shoreline area along the east arm of Lake Samish and the south
shore of the west arm that is generally within the Water District
No. 12 ULID boundary, and the area adjacent to Nulle Road east of
the interstate. Any parcels presently within a Rural zone
included in the future within a Water District No. 12 ULID shall
be considered for change to Residental Rural.
2.02.3 The Yew Street area bounded by the City of Bellingham on the west,
Democrat Street on the north, and property lines and Harris Street
easement on the south and the area between the boundary between
Sections 4 & 5 and 8 & 9 on the west and the property lines
generally bordering a 700' elevation on the east.
31
•
2.02.4 The Byron Consolidation corridor area forms an east/west strip
along the south side of Bellingham city limits, approximately
1,400 feet wide, and runs from approximately 900 feet east of Yew
Street to the Lake Whatcom Subarea boundary.
2.02.5 The area southeast of Larrabee State Park. and north of Skagit
County known as Clayton Beach.
2.03 Whatcom County shall implement the RESIDENTIAL RURAL land use designation by
application of the RESIDENTIAL RURAL Zone District. The residential density
• is either one dwelling unit per acre, two dwelling units per acre, or three
dwelling units per acre and is applied based upon the Residential Rural
Locational Criteria.
2.03.1 The density of two dwelling units per acre shall apply to the
following areas: The Chuckanut Shore area west of Chuckanut Drive
and north of Larrabee Park excluding the area known as Governor's
Point; the Lake Samish Shore area, within Water District No. 12
sewer service area, along the north, east, south and southeast
shores; the area along the Whatcom Connector described in 2.02.4
above; the central area along Yew Street; and the area southeast
of Larrabee Park known as Clayton Beach.
2.03.2 The density of three dwelling units per acre shall apply to the
area known as Governor's Point due to the potential for water
provided by the City of Bellingham and sewer provided by the City
or new Sewer District, the prior zoning density of three dwelling
units per acre, and the lack of applicability of an urban reserve
designation to an undeveloped area not adjacent to city
boundaries.
2.04. It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage efficient land use patterns
and the cooperation among municipalities, special districts, associations,
and other governmental agencies in provision of a partial range of urban
services in RURAL RESIDENTIAL areas.
2.04.1 Either public water and/or public sewer shall be provided.
Stormwater detention shall be required during development and in
. accordance with the stormwater management plan when adopted and
stormwater drainage facilities consistent with the plan after its
adoption.
2.04.2 When a subdivision is situated adjacent to less intensive land use
designations, the subdivision shall be buffered at the site
periphery to prevent the encroachment of vehicles, pedestrians,
animals and nuisances onto other less intensively utilized areas.
2.04.3 Subdivisions shall be designed so as to minimize intersections
along existing county roads and to discourage lineal residential
patterns adjacent to county roads.
2.04.4 In order to preserve the character of the Chuckanut Bay, Lake
Samish and Yew Street neighborhoods, subdivisions shall be
designed to minimize disruption of views and maintain existing
32
vegetative cover to the extent economically and physically
feasible.
2.04.5 In recognition of the exceptional natural and economic resources
present in the Chuckanut shore and mountain terrain, the use of
cluster subdivision or planned unit development shall be encoura-
ged for areas allowing large developments, such as Governor's
Point and Clayton Beach. It also is allowed for parcels of any
size that have specific environmental and cultural features that
could be enhanced by its use, such as the Teddy Bear Cove area.
Cluster subdivision and Planned Unit Development are alternative
ways of subdividing land that make more economic use of land area
and provide open space. They are described more fully in
Section 0.4.
33
3. Rural
•
The RURAL policy is intended to acknowledge physical and cultural factors which
currently are and during the planning period will continue to be limitations to
higher densities. Physical factors relate to soil percolation rates, depth to
y .
groundwater level, steep topography and the presence of aquifers. Cultural
factors pertain to the absence of public services and circulation networks.
Moreover, this policy intends to conserve environmentally fragile areas and
retain future access options with respect to nonrenewable natural resources
(sand, gravel, coal and minerals, and soils which contribute to agricultural and
forest productivity). It is also intended to encourage multiple land use
potential and retain the "rural" character of an area. RURAL policy also
provides the option of "clustering" in the design of new rural subdivisions in
order to retain productive land uses and future options for development.
3.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to provide for very low density residen-
tial areas where multiple uses are suitable, or where community facility or
resource constraints preclude higher densities, by designating certain
portions of the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea as RURAL.
3.01.1 Within the areas designated as RURAL typical uses shall include
low density residential, occasional pasture, agriculture, woodlots
and home occupations.
3.01.2 To implement this policy residential densities of one dwelling
unit per two acres, one dwelling unit per five acres, and one
dwelling unit per ten acres shall be provided.
3.02 The following areas shall be designated as RURAL and indicated as such on
the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map.
3.02. 1 The Chuckanut Mountain area bounded by the City of Bellingham on
the. north, the property lines approximately 300 feet east of
Chuckanut Drive or the Interurban Trail on the west, Larrabee
State Park on the south, and the Larrabee State Park boundary line
and its projection northward on the east.
3.02.2 The Samish Way and Samish Highway Corridor area beginning at North
Lake Samish Road and extending north and west along Samish Way and
Interstate-5 until Interstate-5 reaches the City of Bellingham and
the area extending north to Fillmore Street between properties
700' in elevation and forestry lands east of Yew Street.
3.02.3 The west facing foothills of Lookout Mountain south of Bellingham.
3.02.4 The Lake Samish Watershed area, including tracts surrounding Lake
Samish and generally bounded by timber lands and by either
Residential Rural zone districts or Lake Samish shoreline and not
included within Water District No. 12 ULID service area.
3.03 Whatcom County shall implement the RURAL land use designation by application
of the RURAL Zone District. The residential density is one dwelling unit
• per two acres, one dwelling unit per five acres, or one dwelling unit per
ten acres and is applied according to the Locational Criteria.
34
•
3.03.1 ' The density of one dwelling unit per ten acres shall be applied to •
the Lake Samish Watershed area along the western and northern
shores of the west arm of Lake Samish as discussed in the Intro-
duction to this section.
3.03.2 The density of one dwelling unit per five acres shall be applied
to the Chuckanut Mountain area north of and west of Larrabee State
Park; the eastern Yew Street-area; the Samish Highway area; the
Samish Way Corridor area; the areas south and west of the RESIDEN-
TIAL RURAL area around the eastern arm of Lake Samish; and the
area east of Interstate 5 and north of the Skagit County boundary
around "F" line road.
3.03.3 The density of one dwelling unit per two acres shall be applied to
an area bounded on the west by the Interurban Trail, on the north
by Hiline Road, and on the east and south by Larrabee Park; and
the area along the Skagit County border that is near southern
Summerland Road.
3.04 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage effective land use patterns
and adequate provision of services for RURAL densities.
3.04.1 RURAL areas shall be served by private water and septic drain-
fields. Where water is obtained from off-site sources, written
agreement must be made with all affected property owners and
presented as part of subdivision or building permit review.
3.04.2 In recognition of the exceptional natural and economic resources
present in the Chuckanut shore and mountain terrain, the use of
cluster subdivision or planned unit development shall be encoura-
ged for large parcels. Descriptions of these alternative methods
for efficient land subdivision are found in Section C.4.
3.04.3 New residential development adjacent to areas designated FORESTRY
shall require a covenant or deed restriction agreeing to refrain
from any legal action against reasonable and lawful forest prac-
tices.
3.04.4 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage property owners to
conserve forested areas by utilizing the provisions of RCW 84.34.
•
35
4. Forestry
The FORESTRY designation intends to move toward attainment of the Whatcom County
Goal Statements which address the conservation of forest lands and provide for
• the continued economic vitality of forest industries. To accomplish such, the
FORESTRY designation intends to identify areas which are suitable for the long-
term productivity and sustained use of forest resources. To minimize conflict
with an encroachment by nonforest uses and to guard against forest land conver-
sion, the policies intend to discourage residential and recreation-residential
uses. Moreover, the FORESTRY designation intends to accommodate other compatible
• and related. uses such as nonrenewable resources extraction, wildlife management,
watershed management, and dispersed recreation. Finally, the FORESTRY designa-
tion intends that uses are conducted in accordance with applicable local, state
and federal regulations.
•
4.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to conserve forest lands suitable for
• long term productivity and sustained use of forest resources by designating
certain portions of the Chuckanut-.Lake Samish Subarea as FORESTRY.
4.01.1 The principal use of FORESTRY areas shall be sustained yield
forest management which is conducted in accordance with the
Washington State Forest Practice Act (RCW 76.09) and the rules and
regulations set forth therein (WAC 222), as administered by the
Department of Natural Resources. Forest management includes
practices such as timber production, harvesting and reforestation;
forest chemical use; logging road construction and maintenance;
fire prevention and suppression; the protection of public re-
sources, including water quality, fish and wildlife, and small
private timber production such as woodlot operations.
4.01.2 It is the policy of Whatcom County to establish twenty (20) acres
as" the minimum parcel size for sustained yield forest management,
• as well as to safeguard forest lands from potential impacts
generated by secondary uses and maximum density of one dwelling
unit per 20 acres shall be established.
•
4.02 Chuckanut Mountain and the western slopes of Lookout Mountain shall be
•
• designated as FORESTRY and indicated as such on the Comprehensive Land Use
Plan Map.
4.03 Whatcom County shall implement the Forestry land use designation by applica-
tion of the Forestry Zone District in accordance with the Locational
Criteria.
4.04 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage harmony between forestry and
nonforestry land uses by the following policies.
4.04.1 Whatcom County shall discourage community facilities in FORESTRY
areas except dispersed and low intensity recreational opportuni-
. ties, private water and septic drainfields, and private roads.
Subdivision for residential purposes shall require a written
agreement among all affected property owners concerning any off-
site water sources before subdivision or building permits occur.
36
•
4.04.2 A maximum density of one dwelling unit per (20) acres shall be
established and all residential uses shall be subject to the
following conditions. All residential and related structures
shall be situated a minimum of one-hundred (100) feet from parcel
boundaries. All potential residents shall be clearly informed of
the principal use of FORESTRY areas and the intensive forest
practices which may reasonably and lawfully occur in the normal
course of forest management, and all new subdivision shall be
subject to an agreement to not take legal action against legal and
reasonable forest practices. Any FOREST parcel where more than
one dwelling unit can be provided shall be encouraged to use the
cluster subdivision method as described in Section C.4. All
buildings shall be setback out of potential flood and debris flow
areas.
4.04.3 It is the policy of Whatcom County to require local public review
of secondary uses in FORESTRY areas with the intent of determining
the following:
a. The use will not cause a permanent and irrevocable commitment
of the forest resource to uses not related to forestry.
b. The use will not prohibit or impact the intensive operation
of adjoining forest practices.
c. The use will have fire prevention and suppression plans and
will not create a fire hazard for adjoining forestry opera-
tions.
d. The use is in compliance with all applicable local, state and
federal regulations.
e. When proposed to be situated within the Lake Samish Water-
shed, the use will not significantly impact or degrade
surface and subsurface water quality and quantity charac-
teristics.
4.04.4 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage cooperation
between forest managers and residential users within a watershed
in considering and implementing the use of nonchemical controls
and other methods whereby impacts on water quality are lessened.
4.04.5 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage a strip of
vegetated land area to be left along streams of sufficient quality
and width to minimize surges in runoff rates and promote stream
bank stability.
4.04.6 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage a strip of
vegetated land area to be left of sufficient width and character
to promote the continued positive visual identity provided along
the 1-5 corridor entrance to the county from the southern county
border to the northern end of Lake Padden Park.
37
•
•
4.04.7 Pursuant to the provisions of RCW 79.68, Multiple Use Concept in
Management and Administration of State-owned Lands, it is the
policy of Whatcom County to encourage continued multiple use
management of state owned forest lands.
4.04.8 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage private forest and
woodlot owners to conserve the county forest resource base by
utilizing the current use tax assessment provisions of RCW 84.28,
' RCW 84.33 and RCW 84:34.
•
• 4.05 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage the Washington State
Department of Natural Resources to continue county notification of all
classes of forest practice applications. In addition, the county shall
encourage the DNR to conduct public information programs, when jointly
determined to be necessary, concerning forest practices which are proposed
•
to occur within the subarea.
•
•
38
•
•
•
5. Public
•
With reference to parcels which currently are owned or planned for ownership by
public agencies, the intent of the following policies is to implement the County
Goal Statements relating to public facilities and services and to assure the
continued public provision of a variety of services in a manner that is commensu-
rate with population levels and requirements. The policies also are intended to
optimize public investments and promote compatibility between public functions
and surrounding land uses.
5.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to ensure the continued public provision
of a variety of parks and recreational facilities, educational facilities,
and other utilities and services in a manner that is commensurate with
population levels and requirements by designating certain portions of the
Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea as PUBLIC. Typical uses in PUBLIC planned
areas include facilities and services related to the provision of recrea-
tion, education, utilities, communications, solid waste disposal, health
care and water diversion works.
5.02 The following areas shall be designated as PUBLIC and indicated as such on
the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map.
5.02.1 Larrabee State Park, the Interurban Trail, Lake Samish Park, Cedar
and Pine Lake Parks, Plantation Rifle Range, the State Boat Launch
on Lake Samish, and the undeveloped East Lake Samish Park site.
5.02.2 All wildlife reserves and fish hatcheries; schools; fire stations;
health care facilities; district-owned sewer transmission facili-
ties; municipally-owned water diversion corridors; and public
communication transmission stations.
5.03 Whatcom County shall implement the PUBLIC land use designation by applica-
tion of the following zones in accordance with the Locational Criteria.
5.03.1 The Recreation and Open Space Zone District shall be applied to
public recreation areas specified in 6.02.1 above.
5.03.2 All other public functions shall be used by right or condition
within other Whatcom County zoning districts.
5.04 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage effective land use patterns
and cooperation among governmental jurisdictions in providing appropriate
levels of service to the various public areas.
5.04.1 Services shall include public water and sewer where available and
appropriate to the use, and stormwater drainage shall be required
according to the regional stormwater management plan when it is
adopted.
5.04.2 Whenever practical, multi-purpose use of public lands, facilities,
and services is encouraged.
39
5.04.3 Visual and functional impacts of PUBLIC land uses should be
minimized through utilization of aesthetic site design which is
compatible with the character-of the surrounding area.
•
5.04.4 In recognition of the potential conflicts between the extensive
- recreational use of Lake Samish and surrounding residential land
uses', further development of the county East Lake Samish park site
should be subject to public review consistent with the provisions
of the Recreation and Open Space zone district.
5.04.5 Public agencies are encouraged to acquire those parcels which
benefit the continued operation of their function. Whenever
practical, joint agreements between agencies shall be encouraged
• to expedite efficient public expenditure.
5.04.6 It is the policy of Whatcom County to augment recreational oppor-
tunities by seeking means to secure public access to Teddy Bear
.=- Cove and Clayton Beach through public acquisition or dedication;
encouraging cooperation among property owners, the Department of
Natural Resources, and the Whatcom County Parks Department to
obtain trail easements from Larrabee State Park north to the
Bellingham border; and obtaining public access to beaches where
ever possible.
5.05 Pursuant to the Inter--Focal Cooperation Act (RCW 39.34), it is the policy of
Whatcom County to encourage public agencies to prepare and adopt long range
-plans that address future land, facility and service requirements,
coordinate public and private activities, and minimize potential future
conflict between various public agencies and the private sector regarding
plan implementation.
5.05.1 Whatcom County shall cooperate and coordinate with the Whatcom
County Parks Department in the integration of existing park plans
into a Recreation and Open Space Element which will augment the
County Comprehensive Plan.
5.05.2 The County Parks Department shall be encouraged to participate in
neighborhood park planning within the areas designated as URBAN
RESERVE and RESIDENTIAL RURAL on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Map.
40
6. Quasi-Public
QUASI-PUBLIC land uses are defined as institutional uses operated for the public
but under private control. The Quasi-Public uses that exist in the subarea
include religious, educational, recreational and institutional facilities. These
uses warrant a separate land use designation due to their distinctive character
and variable impacts with surrounding uses. The following policies serve to
identify the type of use, location, and zoning of the quasi-public uses and
properties within the Subarea.
6.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage the continuation of institu-
tional uses operated for the public but under private control by designating
certain portions of the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea as QUASI-PUBLIC.
Typical uses are religious, educational, recreational, and institutional.
6.02 Whatcom County shall apply the Quasi-Public designation to institutional
uses and properties including the Lutherwood Bible Camp on the western end
of Lake Samish, Indian Village at the southern end of Lake Samish, and the
Chuckanut Island Nature Conservancy holding. These areas shall be designa-
ted QUASI-PUBLIC on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map.
6.03 Because of the relatively small size of the designated Quasi-Public areas,
implementation shall be accomplished by application of the adjacent zoning
district that is the most consistent with the character of each respective
Quasi-Public area. Such uses shall be allowed to continue as uses within
the respective zoning district.
41
•
•
•
•
7. Neighborhood Commercial
The convenient availability of goods and services to residential neighborhoods is
an integral part of our economic system. The Lake Samish neighborhood also
receives a number of visitors desiring convenience goods and services. It is the
intent Of this policy to provide for these needs and to consolidate commercial
activity desireable along an interstate highway.
7.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to provide for commercial activities
convenient to and appropriate for residential neighborhoods by designating
certain portions of the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea NEIGHBORHOOD COMMER-
CIAL. Typical commercial activities include convenience retail stores,
automobile service stations, professional offices, and eating and drinking
establishments and shall be regulated as to size and design in accordance
with the applicable zone district.
7.02 The area that is west of 1-5 and Samish Way at the north Lake Samish 1-5
interchange shall be designated as NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and indicated as
such on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map.
7.03 Whatcom County shall implement the NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL land use designa-
tion by application of the NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL zone district based upon
the Locational Criteria in Section V.B.5.
7.04 It is the policy of Whatcom County that NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL areas shall
be provided with the same level of public services as the surrounding
residential or rural area.
7.05 It is the policy of Whatcom County to enhance and maintain its natural and
economic resources through NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL land use patterns that
avoid linear strip development, while providing for safe and efficient
vehicular movement by requiring site design that promotes a clustered or
concentrated form of development.
7.05.1 Ingress and egress points to state and county roads should be
minimized by consolidating on-site circulation networks and by
developing access points to roads that are classified as collec-
tors or access roads, rather than arterials.
7.05.2 On-site circulation should be designed to accommodate private
vehicles, delivery vehicles and pedestrians; and potential
vehicular/pedestrian conflicts should be minimized.
7.05.3 Development should occur in a concentrated and compact form, and
should avoid lineal development patterns. In addition, site
development should occur consistent with adopted county standards
for roads, stormwater management and land alteration.
7.05.4 Site design should respond to environmental opportunities and
constraints, promote building placement that will maximize open
space and minimize utility extensions, and should maximize energy
efficiency.
42
EL
7.05.5 The Planned Unit Development provision is an option that may be
used in the development of designated commercial areas. Addi-
tional policies are located in the Land Development Options,
Guidelines and Requirements Section of this document; and regula-
tions are located in the Title 20 Zoning Ordinance.
7.05.6 Except for the area within building envelopes and necessary for
parking, no clearing of land within these zone districts shall
occur.
43
r^
8. Tourist Commercial
The TOURIST COMMERCIAL designation is intended to provide concentrated areas,
located in proximity to major transportation corridors or international border
crossings, for uses that serve the traveling public. The designation intends to
facilitate safe and efficient circulation systems, provide methods to attain
compatibility with surrounding noncommercial uses, and promote site design that
will efficiently use available commercial land.
8.01 To provide limited areas for uses serving private and commercial vehicles
that •are traveling between Bellingham and Skagit County. Uses should be
directly related to the needs of the traveling public.
8.02 One Tourist Commercial district is located in the subarea immediately
northwest of the Samish Way interchange with 1-5 on. both sides of Samish
Way.
8.03 The TOURIST COMMERCIAL designation is implemented with the Tourist
Commercial zone district. The boundaries of the districts are established
in accordance with the locational criteria.
8.04 It is the policy Of Whatcom County that these TOURIST COMMERCIAL areas shall
have public sewer and public water services, on-site stormwater collection
and retention facilities as needed, sheriff protection and sufficient fire
protection before Tourist Commercial uses are built.
8.05 It is the policy of Whatcom County to enhance and maintain its natural and
economic resources through TOURIST COMMERCIAL land use patterns that follow
these development requirements.
8.05.1 Guidelines for establishing access points and on-site circulation
are respectively included in NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL policies
7.05.1 and 7.05.2.
8.05.2 Guidelines for site development and design are established in
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL policies 7.05.3, 7.05.4 and 7.05.5.
8.05.3 A screened and/or landscaped buffer shall be established at the
periphery of the Tourist Commercial district to promote
• compatibility with adjoining rural and residential rural uses , and
site plans should achieve a complementary aesthetic character that
will enhance the I-5 corridor entrance into Whatcom County.
8.06 It is the policy of Whatcom County to minimize the potential conversion of
adjoining RURAL lands to Tourist Commercial uses.
44
C. COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND RESOURCES POLICIES
•
The implementation of land use designations is closely interwoven with the
provision of community facilities such as utilities, roads, recreational areas,
and emergency services. Land use designations also are affected by and affect
the environmental and economic resources of an area. Policies were developed to
address or resolve particular issues dealing with these interrelationships.
•
In the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea the environmental resources are extensive
and irreplaceable in forming part of the visual identity of Whatcom County.
Environmental resources include wildlife habitat and fish spawning grounds,
groundwater and surface water, and terrain that contributes economic resources.
Economic resources primarily consist of the attractiveness of the area for
residential development due to the environmental amenities, the availability of
timber for forest industry use, and the amenity present for the entire county in
the recreational and visual use of Chuckanut Bay, Chuckanut Mountain and Lake
Samish.
The community facilities that are necessary in this subarea to maintain and
enhance its resources are basically in place. Some upgrading is needed in water
and sewer service and transportation facilities, and there are issues associated
with recreational use. These are discussed in the following sections on commun-
ity utilities and transportation and in the preceding dealing with PUBLIC land
use areas. The basic aims are the maintenance of attractiveness for residential
population growth, and the maintenance and enhancement of the Lake Samish
watershed. The following sections provide policies for each community facility
or resource. The format of the policy is:
.01 Purpose
.02 Coordination
.03 Standards
.04 Implementation
45
•
1. Community Utilities and Services
1.0i It is the purpose of Whatcom County to ensure a beneficial balance between
the demand for and supply of community utilities and services and that
jurisdictional responsibility and service levels are consistent and predict--
able for the planned land uses. Community facilities and services typically
include sewer and water systems, transportation networks, school and park
systems, stormwater drainage systems, and fire and police protective
services.
1.02 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage cooperation among munici-
palities, special districts, water associations, and other appropriate
groups in the planning and provision of public services.
1.02.1 Whatcom County shall cooperate and coordinate with the City of
Bellingham, Whatcom County Water District No. 12, Whatcom County
Fire Protection Districts No. 6, No. 9 and No. 10, Bellingham
School Districts, and the State of Washington in planning subarea
service systems, particularly" for areas designated as URBAN
RESERVE. Whatcom County recognizes and supports the policies
contained within City of Bellingham Ordinance 9461 regarding water
and sewer service zones.
1.02.2 Whatcom County shall recognize Puget Power and Light as the
primary energy purveyor in the subarea; however, the use of
alternative energy systems such as active and passive solar
heating and water heating, small scale hydroelectric power, and
wind power plants for residential, commercial, quasi-public and
public land uses shall be encouraged through the favorable
consideration of necessary site design variances whenever
appropriate.
• 1.02.3 Whatcom County shall ensure that the necessary staff and equipment
are available in the Whatcom County Sheriff's Department to
"provide adequate protective services for the Chuckanut-Lake Samish
Subarea population.
1.02.4 ' Consistent with the City of Bellingham annexation and urban
service area policies, the city is acknowledged as the primary
authority responsible for the provision of sewer and water
services within the Chuckanut and Yew Street neighborhoods. Upon
amendment of the city's Capital Improvement Plan that would enable
the extension of sewer and water services or upon provision of
sewer or water services by a special purpose district into areas
currently planned for RESIDENTIAL RURAL densities, appropriate
land use density should be reconsidered given the adjusted level
of service.
1.03 It is the policy of Whatcom County to use availability and level of service
standards for community facilities and utilities to maintain and enhance its
natural and economic resources, land use patterns, and the safety and well-
being of citizens.
• 46
L ;
•
•
•
•
•
1.03.1 Whatcom County shall encourage the placement and extension of
sewer and water lines in areas contiguous to existing development
so as to discourage the occurrence of "leapfrog" development.
1.03.2 Whatcom County shall discourage development in areas that are
inaccessible to ambulances, sheriff's vehicles and fire fighting
equipment until private roads are developed that meet emergency
vehicle access requirements. Development in areas inaccessible to
fire district equipment should be discouraged unless adequate on-
site water and fire suppression systems are available for fire
fighting.
1.03.3 Whatcom County shall encourage the provision of public water
• service in the Lake Samish watershed by Water District No. 12. At
such time that water service is provided, the county and community
should again examine the appropriate land use density.
1.03.4 Due to the potential for residential water quality and quantity
problems as permitted dwelling unit densities are attained in the
Yew Street area, Whatcom County shall encourage extension of city
water and sewer services following the provision of such services
within the city area west of the Yew Street area.
1.04 It is the policy of Whatcom County to use the following criteria for the
implementation of adequate economically feasible services in designated land
use areas.
1.04.1 URBAN RESERVE: Land areas designated URBAN RESERVE are intended
for urban type densities and shall be provided with a full range
of urban services including publicly provided sewer and water,
fire and sheriff protection, transportation and stormwater
drainage systems. On-site stormwater detention is required during
development and in accordance with the regional stormwater
management plan when adopted. Upon completion of the stormwater
management plan facilities, land area currently used for retention
may be converted to permitted uses and densities. Whatcom County
recognizes specific service purveyors for the delivery of urban
services in the Yew Street URBAN RESERVE areas as follows:
Sewer and Water: City of Bellingham
Law Enforcement: Whatcom County Sheriff's Department
Fire Protection: Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 10
Transportation: Whatcom County
• Recreation: Whatcom County Parks Department
Stormwater Management: The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County
1.04.2 RESIDENTIAL RURAL: Land areas designated RESIDENTIAL RURAL shall
have a partial range of urban services including either publicly
47
•
provided sewer and/or water. On-site stormwater detention is
required consistent with 1.04. 1 above. Whatcom County recognizes
specific service purveyors as follows:
•
Sewer and Water: City of Bellingham; Water District No. 12; or
private
•
Law Enforcement: Whatcom County Sheriff's Department
Fire Protection: Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 6,
• No. 9 or No. 10
Transportation: Whatcom County
Recreation: Whatcom County Parks Department
Stormwater Management: The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County
1.04.3 RURAL and FORESTRY: Services shall include: on-site domestic
waste water disposal systems and individual well or water associa-
tions; volunteer fire protection from a Whatcom County Fire
Protection District and the Department of Natural Resources; law
enforcement from the Whatcom County Sheriff's Department; trans-
portation provided by local access roads maintained by Whatcom
County and private roads; and recreation provided by the Whatcom
County Parks Department in cooperation with the State of
Washington. •
1.04.4 QUASI-PUBLIC AND PUBLIC: Services shall include public sewer and
water where available from District No. 12, the City of Belling-
ham, or on-site wells and wastewater systems; storm drainage
consistent with the regional stormwater management plan when
• adopted; volunteer fire protection from . a Whatcom County Fire
Protection District; law enforcement from the Whatcom County
• " Sheriff's Department; and transportation provided by collector
arterials maintained by Whatcom County.
1.04.5 All sewer and water service shall be provided in accordance with
Whatcom County Health Department standards.
1.04.6 All stormwater drainage facilities shall be provided in accordance
with the regional stormwater management plan now being developed
and the Whatcom County Development Standards.
1.04.7 All transportation service shall be provided in accordance with
the standards in the following transportation section, as well as
all applicable state and federal standards and the Whatcom County
• Development Standards.
1.04.8 All recreational services shall be provided in accordance with the
standards of the Whatcom County Parks Department, Washington State
Parks Department, and in cooperation with the policies of the
PUBLIC land use designation section.
48
•
2. Transportation System
•
2.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to ensure that land use patterns and
transportation planning mutually support the safe and efficient movement of
people and goods; are consistent in encouraging a predictable pattern of
urban and rural development; and together conserve and enhance existing
public investments and resources.
•
2.01.1 Whatcom County shall use the development approval process of
subdivision, zoning, and building permits to establish community
circulation patterns and to secure rights--of-way and construction
of all functional road classifications.
2.01.2 Whatcom County shall use the development approval process to
ensure that all residential development includes safe vehicular
access for citizens and emergency vehicles.
•
2.02 It is the policy of Whatcom County to cooperate with federal, state, and
municipal agencies in providing for a coordinated transportation system.
2.02.1 Whatcom County shall coordinate and cooperate with the City of
Bellingham in the planning of new arterial routes in the Chucka-
nut--Lake Samish Subarea, specifically the proposed Whatcom
Connector route connecting Samish Way and Lake Louise Road and
traversing the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea near the Byron and
Consolidation Street alignments.
2.02.2 Whatcom County shall promote and encourage the provision of public
transit as demand increases in the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea,
where warranted by potential ridership for transit, by incorpora-
tion when changes in the circulation system are made through the
Transportation Improvement Program. The public transit authority
shall be sent copies of all major subdivisions and all PUD
proposals for their information and review regarding provision of
public transportation.
2.03 It is the policy of Whatcom County to maintain and enhance its natural and
economic resources, land use patterns, and the safety and well-being of its
citizens through the application of the following standards to its trans-
portation system.
2.03.1. Whatcom County shall approve new road construction projects or
improvements to existing roads consistent with the regional
stormwater management plan now under development. Should the
private or public sector begin such projects before the plan is
complete, the county shall implement appropriate measures to
assure total containment of excess stormwater runoff for each
development proposal. Upon completion of the stormwater manage-
ment plan, land area currently used for retention may be converted
to permitted uses and densities consistent with the applicable
zone district.
2.03.2 Whatcom County shall make every effort to preserve mature trees
and unique wildlife habitats and other elements of the natural
49
•
1
l r
environment during the design and construction of road improvement
projects. Where. disruption of the natural environment is unavoid-
able, special techniques such as rounded slopes, erosion control,
• reseeding and revegetation shall be employed to return roadsides
to their natural state.
2.03.3 Bikeways and pedestrian walkways shall be included as an integral
part of the transportation system. Bikeways and pedestrian ways
shall be provided in new developments where warranted to link
residential areas, shopping areas, recreational areas and educa-
tional facilities. Whenever practical, bikeways proposed in new
developments shall connect with the planned bikeways in the
Whatcom County Trails Plan. The County Parks Department, State
Parks Department and Washington State Department of Transportation
shall be encouraged to publicize and use signage to promote the
use of the Interurban Trail by nonmotorized vehicles and pedes-
trians on Chuckanut Drive.
2.03.4 Whatcom County shall encourage the use of noise buffers and visual
screens between future residential areas and high volume transpor-
tation routes such as Yew Street and the proposed Byron--Consoli-
dation connector.
2.03.5 Whatcom County intends to minimize the amount of impervious
,._ surfaces including streets, driveways, sidewalks, etc. , whenever
possible, by using "natural" engineering design methods such as
the use of open, shallow, grassed street swales instead of curbs
and gutters. In addition, Whatcom County shall encourage the use
of surfacing options such as porous asphalt pavement, precast
interlocking blocks and rolled brick or cinder chips that reduce
total surface runoff, slow concentration and capture particulates.
•
j < . 2.03.6 Whatcom County shall encourage the construction of new roads
contiguous to existing development. Such phased road construction
is intended to discourage the occurrence of "leap frog"
development.
2.04 It is the policy of Whatcom County to use the following criteria for the
• implementation of a safe and economic transportation system as indicated on
the road classification plan designated on the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea
Roadway Classification Map and amending the Roadway Classification Map as
• necessary.
2:04.1 Whatcom County shall identify the need for and the approximate
location of new principal and minor arterial routes in the Chucka-
nut-Lake Samish Subarea and shall program the construction of
these routes in Whatcom County's Capital Improvement Program. The
following projects have been identified:
• a. the Whatcom Connector between Samish Way and Lake Louise
Road; and
b. Improvement of Yew Street to collector arterial standards.
•
50
c. With the provision of city sewer and water services to the
area designated Urban Reserve in the southern half of Yew
Street, the city and county should consider alternative
east/west links joining Yew Street and Samish Way.
d. With 100% buildout of the density planned, the traffic on
Chuckanut Drive would exceed its capacity unless the roadway
was improved; therefore, at such time that traffic volumes
approach LOS E, approval of any further land subdivisions or
building permits shall be contingent upon mitigating trans-
portation measures taken by all affected property owners.
2.04.2 Through the land development approval process, Whatcom County
shall improve the operational efficiency of the intersections
along North Lake Samish Drive south of the Interstate 5 intersec-
tion, along Chuckanut Drive, and along Yew Street. The intent of
this policy is to reduce the number of automobile accidents
occurring at intersections by improving access and reducing
uncontrolled turning movements. Appropriate design criteria shall
be applied consistent with the functional classification of the
above mentioned roads and other applicable design criteria as
provided in the Whatcom County Development Standards.
2.04.3 Through the development approval process, Whatcom County shall
identify the short and long range traffic impacts to subarea roads
by computing the estimated number of vehicle trips generated by a
project and comparing those computations against the planned level
of service for each road segment (according to the Whatcom County
Engineering Department design standards and specifications)
impacted by the project including intersections. If it is deter-
mined that a proposed development will cause traffic impacts that
will result in a level of service below that planned for all
affected road classifications, Whatcom County shall request the
developer to make the necessary improvements to maintain the pre-
planned level of service or to make an equivalent cash contribu-
tion to the Whatcom County Road Fund.
2.04.4 Where appropriate, it is county policy to allow developers of
small projects of 15 lots or fewer to build a half width road
which will be classified below a collector arterial, provided that
all affected property owners agree to participate in completing
the road.
51
'. /.; i: :•?:._::•:. T37N
:
c li .
-: :.�. ........LJ ...
N
/
..::::::::::::::::„,::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::• .:..::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::„.„,::::::::::•.....:,,:::: „
„ .
„ . . C
H UC A U T
. .
:
.. Ii
-..,",:::: : $ :: : : :_y: :: = � : LAKE SAMISH SUBAREA . .
. . .
.::::::::::::::::::::„.:.:.:.:•:•::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::„„)::::::.:::::::.:.:.:.::::::::::::::.......,,::„.:::.::::::::::„..:::::, , \
...........•••....... ...............................,................ ..................................... ............„.........:,,,,,,,,,,,,:::::::,,,,,,,,,,,:::::::::::,:„,„:„.•::.„ d
.}} •....:..
.......::::::::::::::....„.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.:::::::„.::..::::::::::::::::::,::::::::.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::„::::::::::::::: ♦_ . . ..
I TRANSPORTATION RTAT
10 N P
LAN '
:::::::::::::.::41i:::::::'-:.....-.., ,Y44:°"--"°"**77.N....:::::.:::::::::::::::::.:.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::i*i:i*i:?;i .,,,,.:. .
•
...':::::-.. or.............................:„...,::::::...::::.:.:.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::„:::::::::::::::: p , %,
Z '.3 . !; LEGEND-,...:
. :: .„............... _ ,..,,, .t���' �� •Princi al:.
.��.r.ra.i . .: 9,,.,`� `� , p Arterial or•Interstate
.` ; Minor Arterial• ., Major Collector or Collector
` �:, 19 xo xi 22 ��. 23 • 2• . Ra,..z::.
. :_, Minor Collector
' General,Local or Minor Access
"�`�. ��, I Proposed Road
30 29 poY 21
.•
� �J' • \ 30 1
:v:
° Extent of Urban Area
\r0,44.:
.
1•
,, �. " � ,, �1 ` Source: Background Document]i 33 3� �a \ 3l 9, ...
Chuckanut—Lake Samish Subarea,
',<, 0 . ` November,1984.
♦ N
T37N t li C�_.:: : 1 Tl7N .
Y+/TaiiiTiiii�=ii�■ ^�----- _- ,-- i Ti M
R2[(R3E "- R3EIR4E Whateom County Planning s��, „^'
•L. . • •
. D•Partm•nt
november1985 . 3... ....•
a 00/.
. 52 .
•
; _ 3. Environmental Resources
3.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to manage its natural resources produc-
tively by recognizing and conserving irreplaceable resources, providing
suitable protection for environmentally fragile areas, and enhancing
environmental quality.
3.02 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage cooperation among federal
and state agencies, municipalities, environmental groups, and private
landowners to enhance its environmental resources.
3.02.1 Whatcom County shall develop and adopt a public benefit rating
•
system for evaluation of applications for tax relief on open space
land use pursuant to RCW 84.34 whereby granting of open space tax
status shall be dependent upon determination that the public
benefit of retaining a parcel in open space outweighs the loss or
deferral of revenue to the County.
•
' • 3.02.2 Whatcom County shall develop practical criteria for use in
administering the building code option that requires engineering
•
certification for foundations and criteria for identifying
excessive lot disturbance in areas of steep or unstable slopes and
shall prepare a Steep Slope Development Ordinance.
3.02.3 Whatcom County shall encourage property owners to use the current
use tax assessment provisions of RCW 84.34 to retain the following
areas in , open space: steep or unstable slopes, stream corridors,
wetlands and wildlife habitats.
3.03 It is the policy of Whatcom County to enhance and maintain its environmental
resources according to the following standards:
3.03.1 • Whatcom County shall promote the use of 100-year floodplains
• associated with stream corridors as open space. Residential
development shall be encouraged to be sited at sufficient distance
from all streams to minimize potential loss or damage to property
that may occur as the result of debris dam failure or increased
duration and volume of stream flow. Whatcom County shall encour-
age minimal use 'of stream corridors, drainage swales, and alluvial
•
areas for building sites.
•
3.03.2 Whatcom County shall promote groundwater of a quality suitable for
•
domestic consumption by encouraging low density and intensity uses
in locations overlaying and directly adjacent to Lake Samish
recharge areas.
3.03.3 Whatcom County shall recognize wetlands such as swamps, bogs,
marshes and ponds as natural catchment basins for stormwater run-
off. Run-off during development shall be controlled as specified
in the Whatcom County Development Standards.
3.03.4 Whatcom County shall encourage • .utilization of steep slopes
(greater than 15%) or unstable slopes for open space, very low
density development or forestry. If used for development par-
53
•
poses, structures shall comply with the provisions of the Uniform
Building Code and subdivision shall be subject to site safety
confirmation by a qualified geotechnical engineer or a qualified
geologist. Where slopes are in excess of 10%, cluster development
shall be encouraged to minimize slope disturbance.
3.03.5 Whatcom County shall encourage very low residential densities in
areas of known mineral resource occurrence with the intent of
• retaining future access and utilization options. Surface extrac-
tion shall be dependent upon compatibility with surrounding land
uses and shall be accompanied by a reclamation plan which is
consistent with state regulations contained in RCW 78.44. Subsur-
face mining operations shall conform with applicable federal
regulations.
3.03.6 Whatcom County shall foster continued fish and wildlife habitat
integrity in the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea. Applicable
habitats include the eagle nests situated on Chuckanut Island and •
the center of southwestern Governor's Point shore; Chuckanut-bake
Samish Subarea salmon, Kokanee and cutthroat. trout spawning
streams and lakes; deer migration routes; and the Pacific water-
fowl flyway.
3.03.7 Whatcom County shall encourage air pollution abatement with the
intent of maintaining and/or enhancing air quality, consistent
with the Federal Clean Air Act, and accomplished through the
coordination of local land use proposal review with the Northwest
Air Pollution Authority and other environmental agencies.
3.03.8 Whatcom County shall implement the necessary rules, regulations
and ordinances which are required by state law to minimize noise
impacts.
3.03.9 Whatcom County shall review all shoreline development proposals
for adherence to the requirements of the Whatcom County Shoreline
Management Program.
3.04 It is the policy of Whatcom County to implement the enhancement of its
environmental resources through the following actions.
3.04.1 Whatcom County shall encourage the provision of a long-term water
domestic supply in the Lake Samish basin that will replace the use
of lake water and private wells in close proximity to the lake.
3.04.2 Whatcom County shall assist and encourage the monitoring of Lake
Samish water quality and associated streams, and shall address any
decrease in water quality by additional controls such as limita--
tions on chemical herbicide controls on county roads.
3.04.3 Whatcom County shall maintain and enhance the public usefulness of
the Chuckanut Bay shoreline in accordance with the Shoreline
Management Program as follows:
54
•
•
a. Cooperating with and encouraging the Washington Department of
Transportation to provide additional scenic vista parking
opportunities along Chuckanut Drive;
b. Encouraging alternative setback regulations where shared
driveways, clustered buildings and other variations from
required setbacks will provide less obstructed scenic vistas
. for the public; and •
c. Using the development review process to preserve recreational
access to the Chuckanut Bay shoreline through requiring any
land development to indicate how it will avoid significant
adverse impacts on or displacement of recreational uses that
have no comparable alternate sites locally.
•
•
•
•
i .
55
�r ��
� ,�
/ /1 re-6.-1 1
.1 .;:, . -„,i,...,:. ?;:. \ CHUCKA.NUT .
i
(
4,
....,.:::;,....,:: ' ,
-
1 5 - '''' \ LAKE SAMISH SUBAREA
: ' �0
0 � �
I ;
' "
•
AP '7.'"7. "P . - "c4k.
LEGEND
�- C|aoo 3 Q|opeaxnargina| otobiUty.
subject to sliding along fracture
' v
or bending planes
Bald Eagle Habitat
Critical Fauna|Area-
!Pacific Herring-winter and spring
Critical Faunal Aroa-Birdo
• \~/ \ medium to High Waterfowl Deno/ty �
. `` lk :lk IREI:1::;e:::::';:i]:-1 • Wetlands
��t....'K': ��
�
~ = Source:Backgro und Document
- w Chouvcekmabnut-1L9a�ke'�Qamioh Subarea,
4
•7 T37R N
- _- . r������� �\ * ` � wwm�om County Planning
,=/==
owpm,tment
novembor1985
�.•
• ..
5 :.
' - - — --'
I
4. Economic Resources
4.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to manage its economic resources" produc--
tively by recognizing and conserving prime • economic resources, protecting
existing investment, and enhancing economic development.
•
4.02 It is the policy of Whatcom County to encourage cooperation among state
agencies, municipalities, economic development groups, and private land-
owners. to enhance its economic resources.
4.02.1 Whatcom County shall cooperate with the City of Bellingham's
policies calling for preservation of the visual basins of Belling-
ham, Chuckanut Bay, Lake Samish and the Interstate 5 corridor
entrance from the south that form a unique natural amenity that
draws development to Whatcom County.
4.02.2 Whatcom County shall encourage private forest and woodlot property
owners to conserve the county forest resource base by utilizing
the current use tax assessment provisions of RCW 84.28, RCW 84.33,
and RCW 84.34.
4.03 It is the policy of Whatcom County to use the following standards to enhance
and maintain its economic resources.
4.03.1 Existing uses that are not allowed in the zone district specified
when the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Comprehensive Plan is
adopted shall continue as legal nonconforming uses.
4.03.2 Whatcom County shall ensure that all county land use plans and
zoning ordinances are examined for their enhancement of the
• economy of the area and region and are implemented so as to:
a. foster and promote the general welfare in the long run as
well as the immediate future;
•
b. create and maintain a balanced and diversified economy
sustained by a healthy environment;
c. strengthen and stabilize the tax base; and
d. fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of
present and future generations of Whatcom County citizens.
4.04 Whatcom County shall encourage the wise use of the residential and forestry
economic resources in the Chuckanut-Lake Samish area by continuing to
reserve agricultural, commercial and industrial land use designations for
other subareas.
•
57
•
•
5. Land Use Development Options
5.01 It is the policy of Whatcom County to porvide alternatives to the standard
zoning and subdivision regulations that encourage innovative design. The
alternatives presented below are specifically intended to enhance or •
maintain environmental, historical, visual, or recreational sites valuable
to the public in an economically feasible manner. Standards for their
application are found in the Official Whatcom County Zoning Ordinance.
5.01.1 A clustering option shall be provided to the applicant for new
residential land subdivisions in all URBAN RESERVE, RESIDENTIAL
RURAL, RURAL and FORESTRY zones. It is specifically recommended
for all development along Chuckanut Bay and around Lake Samish.
The cluster method of subdivision is defined as an alternative
• method of creating building parcels that concentrates spatially
efficient and marketable building lots while preserving the intent
of the land use district and retaining options for future uses and
• densities by treating the land as both a commodity and a resource.
The density of the use district defines the number of allowable
dwelling units per land area. Minimum lot size is intended to be
. consistent with Whatcom County Health Department regulations.
Land area not used for building purposes is designated as reserved
for open space and other nonbuilding uses.
5.01 2 The option of Planned Unit Development may be used in any zone
district in the Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea for any parcel of
two acres or greater in size, or for smaller parcels where public
benefit is demonstrated. It is specifically encouraged for the
areas known as Governor's Point and Teddy Bear Cove. Planned Unit
Development is defined as an alternative. method of land use
permitting greater flexibility in zoning requirements than is
generally permitted by any other zoning district. It encourages
creative site planning, permanent open space, variety in living
and recreational environments, conservation of fragile topography,
and mixed use developments.
•
58
•
•
VII. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS
The Chuckanut-Lake Samish Subarea Plan is a policy document that is used to
guide the land use decisions affecting both the private and public sectors
of the subarea. For the plan to function as an effective decision making
document, it must be flexible enough to weather changes in public attitudes,
• developmental technologies, economic forces and legislative policy.
The plan envisions two general types of plan amendments. The first type is
a review conducted every five years. This review should re-examine the
entire plan, including a re-evaluation of goals, updates of land related
j . ., elements, and the reaffirmation of land use policies and proposals. This
review is the responsibility of the Whatcom County Planning Commission, the
Planning Department staff and the people of the subarea.
The second type of amendment is that proposed and initiated by the private
sector. The land uses illustrated on the Land Use Plan Map are the result
of the application of the plan's goals and policies. However, it is
reasonable to assume that the private sector may introduce land use propos-
als that conflict with the plan map or policies of the plan itself. In such
instances, the private sector may propose an amendment to the plan. Private
petitions for amendment of the Comprehensive Plan addressed to either the
Planning Commission or the County Council shall be processed in accordance
with statutory procedure for adoption or amendment of comprehensive plans.
In applying for a particular amendment to the plan or plan map, the private
sector shall conform to the following criteria:
1. The amendment request shall conform with the goals of the subarea plan;
2. The amendment request shall be compatible with the existing and planned
surrounding land uses;
3. The amendment request shall not result in unmitigated detrimental
impacts to existing transportation systems;
4. The amendment request shall not place uncompensated burdens upon
existing or planned service capabilities; and
5. The amendment request shall demonstrate a land usage need which is
currently or within the context of this comprehensive plan not met.
L.
59
i . T3eM
. CHUCKANUT
/ , T37e
L AKE SAM tS
H
SUBAREA
..,./...:.„:::,„,.:„..,,..,.../.....:.,....N
1.BELLINGHAM _ i
..-
.` COMPREHENSIVE
. 1V`I .:5•: ,`.
us �`® :,tl LAND USE PLAN
,,,,,. ..,:,:,...:.:.:„..,,:::,,,,,,,,, \
C;1Y Im,, . . 11 LEGEND
,,,,, it ti:: :_�- s I; r n Urban Reserve Low 3-4DU/Ac.
Yz_�:_ -.e�a.� 1; L�,' •� ::j,.r_,r..r...;,. Residential Rural 1DUr2DUr3DU/AC.
A ', I I Rural 1DU/2.5r10Ac.
:•:':':‘;'.•:':•:':•:‘;':.......'.':%%.••••••'. ''''''':';':..•.•.•.•:•:•:•:•:.:':..•:•.'..:•:•:•:':.:•:.:‘,':' I, Commercial
•`ti;:-:? ;' Neighborhood
.Y/:
4�
•'� Tourist
C .��..' Quasi—public
/,
‘. r` :::'::::',....//,:.:.:•:'....' cq I..,.`I Public
' - rF � .. • .Parks and Recreation
. .,' hi,,::„„;:&.7...!!:::.,.;:.:,:..,:i.,.;=:.k.0,
;.�'.; '„ Comm./Utilities
TlTII •7Y4.s�p�S
,.4;'te..
N
i:
Fo restry
'` , i proposed
Arterial
- ai- i\ :
` r :Jig
� - a + • .
\\ • ' ''� � S .... T7N
N
R2E1R3! R3EIR1f v.e Whatcom County Planning aa.•
S0a'
Department
Approved 11110 {�oay o1 Fe Druery,1908. AC Op leo this 1'•oaY of May,188&Orolnance No.b6-30 Attest:Clerk of the Council 0 1000• 400e'
Witetcom County Planning Commission Whatcom County Council,Whatcom CO.,Wa.
C WrDeraon Secretary Chalrp•rson County Executive Clark 1 the Co ncll