HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2005-037WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2005 - 287
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
Ori inalor
Barbara Br
7/1312005
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JUL 2 7 2(105
72612005
Planning 8 Dev.
Division Head
Dept Plead
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COUNCIL
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TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Discussion regarding proposed Pioneer Park mall project in Ferndale
ATTACHMENTS.
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( 1 Yes ( J NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
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 speck le and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
Discussion regarding proposed Pioneer Park mall in Ferndale.
COMMITTEE ACTION.
COUNCIL ACTION.-
7/26/2005: Approved 6 -1, Crawford opposed
Res. #2005 -037
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res. #2005 -037
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.usleouncil.
Res opposing Ferndale's proposed Regional Mall SPONSORED BY: Bremer
PROPOSED BY: BRENNER
INTRODUCTION DATE: 7/2 05
RESOLUTION NO. moo -0n7
OPPOSING FERNDALE'S PROPOSED REGIONAL -TYPE RETAIL MALL
WHEREAS, the Growth Management Act was created, in part, to prevent
conflicts among local jurisdictions regarding land use planning and management; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive planning required by the Growth Management Act
was established, in part, to avoid local land use conflicts between jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County County -Wide Planning Policies (CWPP)
require cooperation between the county and cities to include adequate
representation of both rural and urban interests on those issues that affect both
urban and rural areas; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, citizens shall be notified in a timely manner
of opportunities to have input and key decision points in the planning process,
including, broader notification of property owners and residents during a planning
process as well as working more extensively with community and neighborhood
groups; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, communication shall occur between the
county and the cities regarding issues that may affect subareas, the community, or
neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, small cities shall do appropriate planning to
ensure adequate distribution of land uses and services; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, all cities should grow in an efficient manner
while maintaining their character and, where reasonable, shall provide for adequate
open space between cities to prevent strip development; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, cities, other municipal corporations, public
utilities, and the county shall cooperate to identify and balance the needs of each
jurisdiction and entity; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, Whatcom County recognizes that a healthy
economy which provides opportunities for diverse segments of the community is
important to the quality of life in the area; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, the Greater Whatcom Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is intended to put forth economic
development alternatives for Whatcom County that will support job creation, with an
emphasis on higher wage jobs and diversification; and
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WHEREAS, according to CWPP, the county and the cities shall encourage
business location, retention, and expansion according to city and county
comprehensive plans in order to meet current and future demand for diverse
business and industry; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, economic development shall be coordinated
with environmental concerns to protect the quality of life; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, the county and the cities should continue to
cooperate, particularly addressing transportation corridors; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, economic development should be encouraged
that does not adversely impact the environment, is consistent with community
values, seeks innovative techniques to attract different industries for a more
diversified economic base, and supports retention and expansion of existing
businesses; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, the county and the cities will continue to
coordinate transportation planning across Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, where the roadway level of service (LOS)
cannot be maintained as a result of proposed new development, that development
shall be denied, unless the proponents pay a proportionate share of the cost of
maintaining the LOS; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, Whatcom County should work cooperatively
with the cities to plan for inter - county transportation links, such as transit; and
WHEREAS, according to CWPP, to adequately plan for growth and implement
the policies of the Growth Management Act, the governmental jurisdictions in
Whatcom County shall work together to establish on -going mechanisms to improve
communication, Information sharing, and coordinated approaches to common
problems; and
WHEREAS, Ferndale's proposed regional -type retail mall violates the spirit
and the wording of the Whatcom County County -Wide Planning Policies; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has adopted plans that are integrated with the
cities to avoid conflicts that will unduly damage the community at large; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County is particularly concerned with Ferndale's plans
for a major, regional -type retail mall at the southeast corner of the city that can
have enormous negative impacts on areas throughout Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, Ferndale's regional -type retail mall proposal is contrary to much
work that has been done to create commercial growth that is in -scale with the
community, does not damage downtown cores, respects neighboring uses, and
creates community -size pockets of retail development in order to prevent strip mall
problems; and
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WHEREAS, a major regional -type retail mall at the proposed site will likely
damage the existing Ferndale commercial downtown area, will not help maintain the
existing character of the City of Ferndale, runs a large risk of creating urban decay in
downtown areas, can create massive impacts to county roads, county communities,
and other jurisdictions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council
believes Ferndale's proposed regional -type retail mall is out of scale with the
Ferndale community and is not in the best interest of the Whatcom County
community at large; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Council believes only through
collaborative efforts with other jurisdictions will Ferndale be able to avoid creating
negative countywide impacts; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council supports a
very thorough review of traffic impacts to County roads, state highway systems, and
transportation systems, and the coordination of critical area evaluation and the
protection of natural resources.
July , 2005.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHA CO %M -COUNTY WASHINGTON `
Laurie Caskey -Sch eiber,
Council Chair
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