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Home My WebLink Aboutord2005-011WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. AB2004 -355 CLEARANCES Initial ate Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assi nedm: Ongmamr: Marc IY. Aamot 9 -27 -04 F- r -� p r , UL �' C, 1 T O C 9QOa J L pp U Itl llry .70 -12 -04 Introduction Division Head: .Sylvia Goodwin C " C 11/9/04 Planning & Development/Council Dept Head: Hal Hart 1U t /,)v Prosecutor: Karen Probes Q Purchasing /Kudgev Executive: Pete Krement a l` SUBJECT: Ordinance adopting amendments to the Transportation chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan establishingpolicies to implement the bicycle plan and consider utilizing ITS technology in transportation projects. ATTACHMENTS: (1) Proposed ordinance (2) Planning Commission Findings ofFact & Reasons forAction, Conclusions, and Recommendations (3) Planning Commission minutes Note: Background materials are available or review at the County Council office. SEPA review required? ( x ) Yes ( ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing? ( ) Yes ( x) NO SEPA review completed? ( x ) Yes ( ) NO Requested Date: I A hearing must be held if the Council changes the Planning Commission recommendation IWCC 20.10.110). SUMMARY STATEMENT: Amending the Transportation chapter of the Distribution Request Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan by adopting polices to: mention those who should receive a opy ader Council action. List specific names to the right. • Implement the Whatcom County Bicycle Plan; and • Consider implementing intelligent transportation systems (ITS) ADS Facilities Management ADS Finance technology in transportation projects. ADS Human Resources Note.: The subject proposal is One ofa number of comprehensive plan ADS Info Service amendments initiated this year. These amendments must be considered concurrently by the County Council so that the cumulative effect of the various proposals can be evaluated (RCW 36.70A.130). Additionally, pursuant to the review schedule established in WCC 20.10.120, final Assessor Keith Willnauer Auditor Cooperative Extension District court Executive Council action on these amendments should occur on or about November Hxam, 30, Hearing Examiner jail COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: Juvenile 10/12/2004: Introduced. 11/9/2004: Forwarded to concurrency Parks Planning Hal Hart 1/25/2005: Adopted 7 -0. Ord. #2005 -011 Prosecutor Public Works Sharii f Superior Court Treasurer Related County Contract #: Other Ordinance or Resolution Number Related File Numbers: AB2004 -082 (this item): Ord. #2005 -011 1:2 Planning DivisionAComp Plan Amendmen s Comp Plan 2004ACMP2004.00016 (Chapter 6- Transportation) -A&doc 9 -27 -04 SPONSORED BY: vns PROPOSED BY: INTRODUCTION DATE: in / l 2/04 ORDINANCE# 9nns_nii ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEREAS, The Growth Management Act requires counties and cities to review and, if needed, revise comprehensive plans to ensure continued compliance with the GMA (RCW 36.70A. 130); and WHEREAS, Legal notice was published in the Bellingham Herald; and WHEREAS, The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposal; and WHEREAS, The Planning Commission has evaluated the proposed amendments and made a modification; and WHEREAS, the County Council has considered the Planning Commission's Findings of Fact & Reasons for Action, Conclusions and Recommendations. The Council makes the following findings of fact and conclusions: FINDINGS OF FACT 1. Notice of the Planning Commission hearing for the subject amendment was published in the Bellingham Herald on March 25, 2004. 2. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the subject amendment on April 8, 2004. 3. A determination under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) was issued on September 23, 2004. 4. Growth Management Act (GMA) planning goal # 3 is to "Encourage efficient multimodal transportation systems that are based on regional priorities and coordinated with county and city comprehensive plans" (RCW 36.70A.020). 5. County -wide planning policy J.2 states that "Whatcom County jurisdictions shall encourage alternative modes of transportation to the single occupancy vehicle. Each jurisdiction will encourage:... Development of linked on -street bicycle routes and pedestrian and bicycle trail corridors..." P. 1 The Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan Goal 6M is to "Promote bicycle and pedestrian travel by systematically providing safe and convenient routes and facilities where feasible." The Whatcom County Council approved the Whatcom County Bicycle Plan in May of 2003 under resolution 2003 -037. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) utilize technology to provide information to drivers, emergency responders, and transportation planners. ITS applications can increase safety, reduce congestion, expedite commercial vehicle travel, reduce vehicle emissions, and increase efficiency in transit operations. CONCLUSIONS The subject amendment is consistent with Growth Management Act, County Wide Planning Policies, and Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan. The subject amendment complies with the approval criteria for comprehensive plan amendments of WCC 20.10.080. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that: Section 1. Chapter 6 of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan relating to transportation is hereby amended as shown on Exhibit A. Section 2. 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. day of Ta,, ,a, y , 2005 v Cou i '40AT� *9 r Poo Clerk APPRO ED as to form: ivil Deputy Prosecutor P. 2 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY. WASHINGTON Laurie Caskey- Schreiber, Council Chair Approved ) Denied Pete Kremen, Executive Date: /—� f -�� EXHIBIT A Add new policies to chapter 6 of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan as follows: Policy 6A -9: Consider implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology to increase safety, reduce traffic congestion, decrease delays, expedite commercial vehicle travel and provide appropriate traveler information. Policy 6M -8: Implement as a priority the goals policies and recommendations of the latest Whatcom County Bicycle Plan.