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Home My WebLink Aboutord2005-023WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2004 -3968 CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Dare Assigned to: Originator: Sylvia Goodwin W y /a V5 - - 1111105 Introduction Division Head: Sylvia Goodwin 1115105 Hearing Dept Head: Hal Hart Prosecutor: Karen Frakes 1 Purchising/Budget Executive: Pere Kremen ��TT SUBJECT: Proposed amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 6 and 7 goals andpolicies related to the Custer Provisional Urban Growth Area ATTACHMENTS: (1) Proposed ordinance SEPA review required? ( x) Yes ( ) NO SEPA review completed? ( x) Yes ( ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing? ( X ) Yes ( ) NO Requested Date: 125105 A hearing must be held i /the Council changes the Planning Commission recommendation (WCC 20.10. Ito. SUMMARY STATEMENT: Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130, Whatcom County is required to review and revise its comprehensive plan, as needed, by December I, 2004. The proposed amendments constitute a portion of Whe[com County's 7 -year review. The amendments to the Transportation and Economic Chapter goals and policies were made by the County Council for consistency with other amendments adopted regarding the Custer Provisional Urban Growth Area. Alternate Exhibit A is recommended by staff to preserve the generic transportation policies and eliminate only those that pertain to the Custer UGA. Note: The subject proposal is one of a number of comprehensive plan 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 Council action on these amendments should occur on or about November 30. Distribution Request Indicate chose whoshouldreceive a copyafter Conncdacuon . list spec fc names to the right. ADS Facilities Management ADSFinance ADSHuman Resources ADS Info Services Assessor Auditor Cooperative extension District Court Executive Health Hearing Examiner jail COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: 1/11/2005: Introduced 1/25/2005: Adopted 5 -2, Nelson, Crawford opposed, Ord. #2005 -023 Juvenile Parks Planning Hal Hart Prosecutor Public Works Sheri Superior Court Related County Contract N: Treasurer Other Related File Numbers: CMP2 0 04 -0 0011 1152004 -396 - AB2004 -396A Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item): Ord. #2005 -023 SPONSORED BY: Planning PROPOSED BY: Planning INTRODUCTION DATE: 1/11/2005 ORDINANCE NO. 2005 -023 AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, CHAPTER 6- TRANSPORTATION AND CHAPTER 7- ECONOMICS, TO REVISE GOALS AND POLICIES RELATING TO THE CUSTER PROVISIONAL URBAN GROWTH AREA 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, it is also appropriate to review the comprehensive plan in light of new information and changed County priorities; and WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.70.390, legal notice regarding the proposed Custer PUGA amendments was published in the Bellingham Herald on August 28, 2004; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on Thursday, September 9, 2004 and a work session on October 14; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has evaluated the proposed amendments and considered all testimony. WHEREAS, the County Council has considered the Planning Commission's Findings of Fact & Reasons for Action, Conclusions, and Recommendations; and WHEREAS, after conducting an additional public hearing, the County Council has determined that a modified proposal would better serve the public interest; WHEREAS, the County Council has adopted the following Findings and Conclusions: FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS 1. Notice of the Planning Commission public hearing for the proposed amendments related to the Custer PUGA was published in the Bellingham Herald on August 26, 2004. 2. Notice was mailed to all property owners within 300 feet of the Provisional UGA on August 31, 2004. 1 The Whatcom County Planning Commission held a public hearing on September 9, 2004. 4. A determination under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) was issued on September 30, 2004. 5. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.110, counties are required to designate urban growth areas within which urban growth will be encouraged and outside of which growth can only occur if it is not urban in nature. 6. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A. 040, Whatcom County adopted the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan on May 20, 1997, designating the Custer area as a Provisional Urban Growth Area, subject to review and reconsideration five years after adoption. 7. It has been over seven years since the adoption of the County Comprehensive Plan and an adequate master plan for the site has not been completed. 8. A Rural Comprehensive Plan designation would offergreater protection to the rural characterand environmental features of the Custer area. 9. An analysis of industrial land supply concludes thatthere is an adequate supply of industrial land in Whatcom County without the Custer Provisional UGA. 10. Related goals and policies in the Transportation and Economics chapters of the Comprehensive Plan need to be amended for consistency with the decision to eliminate the Custer Provisional UGA. 11. The SEPA Official has reviewed the proposed additional amendments and determined that they will have no greater environmental impact, therefore no additional SEPA review is required. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that: Section 1. The Official Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan be amended as shown in Exhibit A. Section 2. Adjudication of invalidity of any of the sections, clauses, or provisions of the Comprehensive Plan shall not affect or impair the validity of the plan as a whole or any part thereof other than the part so declared to be invalid. Karen Frakes, NTeputy Prosecutor WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHAJCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Laurie Caskey- chreiber, Council Chair pproved () Deni d �.7 Pete rem n, Executive Date: 07:n=1`n GOAL6P: Provide for safe, efficient movement of commercial vehicles in Whatcom County. Policy 6P -1: Support and participate in studies to evaluate freight movement which supports economic development. Policy 6P -2: investigate Consider proposals for an east/west rail freight corridor. Policy 6P -3: Develop and implement a program of incentives such as fast -track permitting for truck/rail transfer facilities when they contribute to achievement of other transportation goals in this chapter and it can be shown that negative impacts from the facilities can be mitigated. Policy 6P -4: Support commercial and industrial development adjacent to existing transportation corridors, including 1 -5 and rail and air facilities as Iona as such facilities do not reduce safe efficient movement of vehicles in Whatcom County. Policy 6P -5: To better facilitate dispersal of commercial truck traffic, support the Lynden border crossing to open 24 hours a day. GOAL 6Q: Support intermodal connections (i.e., truckirail facilities) that promote P814GY 6Q 1: use of air, water, and /or rail freight where feasible. _neo rag.....+ G on of the to the Policy 6Q -2: general pub'a as val --e of- imermodal facilities- Encourage the location and design of intermodal facilities for efficient freight transfer and access to the state and interstate highway, rail and ferry systems. Policy 6Q -4: Support convenient access to ports, airports, other intermodal freight facilities, and international border crossings to enhance freight mobility. Policy 6Q -5: Incorporate needs for access to ports and other intermodal freight facilities into capital facilities planning. GOAL 7C: Ensure adequate infrastructure to support existing and future business development and evolving technology. Policy 7C -1: Continue to work with all involved parties to ensure an adequate water supply and distribution system to support economic growth. Policy 7C -2: Encourage the provision of adequate transportation infrastructure including roads to all industrial sites. Policy 7C -3: Work with service providers fora dependable electric powersupply, alternative energy sources, communications, and evolving technology to support existing and future business development. Policy 7C-4: Encourage location of industrial areas especially where sewer and water service and all weather access can be readily provided when necessary. Policy 7C -5: Support the efforts of the PUD #1 and area communication and cable companies to get a fiber optic network throughout Whatcom County. Policy 7C -6: invest gate Consider or000sals for an east -west rail line between Cherry Point and Sumas. Abbetsferd,- @.6- including stops in EusteF, Lynden, and- Sumac- Policy 7C -7: Participate in the ongoing, implementation and operation of the countywide water resources management body (WRIA #1) for Whatcom County. Policy 7C -8: Recognize the importance of governmental services and facilities to support economic development. Update capital facility plans and appropriate adequate funding for public facility upgrade or expansion necessary to serve projected population and business growth. Policy 7C -9: Recognize the importance of integrated transportation planning to economic development. rx-