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Home My WebLink Aboutord2004-019IYHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. A82003 -075G Initial Date Date Received in Council 0 ice A ends Date Assi tied m: CLBARANCES I -I3 -0q Introduction originator: S2 /via Goodwin �/ 1\ ��;� yZ1 Division Head Sylvia Goodwin 1� - C' 1/27/04 P b, D / Council Dept Head: Hal Han Prosecutor: Karen Frakes / Purehasiog /Budges ! O.f 0¢ WHh'i i.: -11, ci -JUNTY Fxecudvv: PeteKremen COUNCIL SUBJECT: Ordinance adopting amendments to the Whateom County Comprehensive Plan, Urban Fringe Subarea Plan General, URM, and URNfX policies. ATTACHMENTS: (I) Proposed ordinance reflecting the Planning Commission's recommendations (2) Planning Commission Findings ofFact sk Reasons for Action, Conclusions, and Recommendations (3) Planning Commission minutes Note: Background materials are available or review at the Coup Call oil toe. e SERA 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 I the Council changes the Planning Commission recommendation WCC aa.lo.11o. SUMMARY STATEMENT: Amending the Whatwm County Comprehensive Plan, Urban Fringe Subarea Plan General, URM and URMX to reflect the proposed changes to Map 13 map and text and D@[ribution Request Indicate those who shou ld receive a copy after Connell action. List specific names to the right policies to facilitate the transfer of development rights program in the Bellingham ADS Facilities Management Urban Growth Area. ADS Finance ADS Human Resources ADSInfo Servwxo 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 3 6.70A. 130). Additionally, pursuant to the review schedule established in WCC 20.10.120, final Council action on these amendments should occur on or about January Assessor Keith Willnauer Auditor cooperative Eramrsion District court executive Han /th Hearing Examiner Jail COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: 2003 -75G 1/1312004 Introduced 1/27/2004: Forwarded to concurrence bearing 3/9/2004: Adopted 6 -0, Nelson absent, Old. #2004 -019 Juvenile Parks planning Hal Hart Prosecutor Pwhile Works Sheri Superior Court treasurer other Rel. _.__. Related File Numbers: AB2003- AB2003 - Ordinance or Reso[uti :Number (this item): - IJFjJ _/.V_V I Flouring Division \UFSA 2003\PIAN\2003 Plan and zone text change.doc\Final Versions \CMP2003 -00003 Urban Fringe Policies -All el 12 162003 SPONSORED BY: Consent PROPOSED BY: Planning INTRODUCTION DATE: 1/ 13/04 ORDINANCE # 2004 -019 AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, URBAN FRINGE SUBAREA PLAN GENERAL, URM AND URMX POLICIES 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, Amendments to the Urban Fringe Subarea Plan which affect the City of Bellingham's Urban Growth Area are reviewed jointly by Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham; and WHEREAS, Legal notice was published in the Bellingbam Herald on October 30,2003; and WHEREAS, The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County Planning Commissions held a joint public hearing on the proposal on November 13, 2003 and ajoint work session on November 20, 2003; and WHEREAS, The Planning Commission has evaluated the proposed amendments and made minor modifications; 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 L Notice of the Planning Commission hearing for the subject amendments was published in the Bellingham Herald on October 30, 2003. 2. The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County Planning Commissions held a joint public hearing on the subject amendments on November 13, 2003 and a work session on November 20,2003, 112 Planning DivisionAComp Plan AmendmianTomp Plan 2003VCMP2003 -00003 (Urban Fringe Subarea - Policies) - Daft ORD 12 -3an doc' P. I 3. A determination of non - significance (DNS) was issued on November 11, 2003, under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). 4. Population and land supply studies conducted by the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County indicate a shortage of residential capacity within the City of Bellingham and Urban Growth Area to meet the projected demand for housing. 5. The proposed amendments will facilitate increased density within portions of the existing Bellingham Urban Growth Area where public services and utilities are available. 6. The proposed amendments will provide additional incentive to encourage the transfer of development rights from the Lake Whatcom Watershed to the City of Bellingham's Urban Growth Area. CONCLUSIONS The subject amendments are consistent with the Growth Management Act, County Wide Planning Policies, and the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan. The subject amendments are based upon further study and evaluation of the projected population growth in Whatcom County and available land supply within the City of Bellingham Urban Growth Area. Therefore, the proposed amendments are consistent with the RCW 36.70.410, which requires that Comprehensive Plan amendments must be based upon further study or changed conditions. The subject amendments comply 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. The Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, Urban Fringe Subarea Plan General Policies, URM, and URMX policies are hereby amended as shown in Exhibit A, General Policies Applicable to the Urban Fringe Subarea and Bellingham's Urban Growth Area; Exhibit B, Urban Reserve Medium Density (URM) policies; and Exhibit C, Urban Residential —Mixed (URMX) policies. 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. ADOPTED this 9 day of March , 2004 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON IA Planning DivisionAComp Plan Amendments VComp Plan 2003VCMP2003- 00003 (Urban Fringe Subarea - Policies) - Dina ORD12- 3 -03.doe P. 2 t'Z711 iiRF Chairperson „1 ^'EOIe Civil Deputy Prosecutor ( Approved O Denied Pete Kremen, Executive Date: 1.\2 Planning Division \Comp Plan Amcndmenc \Comp Plan 2003 \CMP2003 -00003 (Urban Fringe Subarea - Policies) - Draft ORD 12- 3- 03.doc P.3 File # CMP2003 -00003 Bellingham Urban Fringe Subarea Plan- Bellingham UGA Proposed Ordinance: Exhibit A IV. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATIONS AND POLICIES A. GENERAL POLICIES APPLICABLE TO THE URBAN FRINGE SUBAREA AND BELLINGHAM'S URBAN GROWTH AREA The following list of policies are intended to ensure cooperation between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham in directing and managing urban and rural development in the Urban Fringe Subarea. In adopting these policies, both jurisdictions agree to: 1.01 Provide for land uses in the Subarea and Bellingham's Northern Urban Growth Area that conform to the Growth Management Act, Whatcom County Goals, Visions for Bellingham, County -wide Planning Policies and other agency plans that consider the provision of urban services to the planning area. 1.02 Promote the integrity and character of each neighborhood planning area within Bellingham's Northern Urban Growth Area. Encourage and provide opportunities for a maximum degree of citizen participation in the governmental planning and decision making process. 1.03 Provide opportunities for a diversity of housing types in the Urban Growth Area. 1.04 Direct new high density residential, commercial. and industrial development toward existing urban development and along major transportation routes to support land use and transportation plans. 1.05 Direct urban growth and development into areas where existing City utilities and services are available and can be readily expanded. 1.06 Promote development that supports and enhances efficient public transportation and an intermodal transportation system. 1.07 Adopt an interlocal agreement that sets agreed upon development standards within Bellingham's Urban Growth Area, and which may include application of -such standards—,ameag- ethers as the City$ of Bellingham's Wetlands, and impact fee ordinances to all development in the Urban Growth Area. Such agreements shall undergo a full citizen involvement process- pr- suant-te adlapt a r .a, In�� 1.08 Cooperate and coordinate with special districts and other governmental agencies to ensure efficient provision of a full range of urban services in the Urban Growth Area. 1.i2 Planning DoisfonAUPSA 2003TLAN @003 Plan and zone texrchanges.docTinel Versions'Geneml Policies proposed ord earn A doc File # CMP2003 -00003 Bellingham Urban Fringe Subarea Plan- Bellingham UGA Proposed Ordinance: Exhibit A 1.09 Continue joint City and County site plan review for all new residential, commercial, industrial, and Airport Operations development in the Urban Growth Area. 1.10 Recognize that the City of Bellingham will be the primary provider of urban services and facilities within its designated urban growth area. 1.11 Permit development concurrent with public facilities and services needed to support that development. 1.12 Consistent with adopted policy, areas in Bellingham's UGA will be eligible to receive city water and sewer service only in the following two circumstances: 1 Upon annexation to the City' or 1.13 Minimize land use conflicts in the Urban Growth Area through the use of appropriate buffering mechanisms, design standards, and locational criteria; and by promoting compatibility between land uses, especially among residential, commercial, industrial, and Airport Operations designations. 1.14 Designate appropriate zones within the Urban Growth Area as receiving areas for transfer of development rights from the Lake Whatcom 1.15 Reouire the purchase of transfer of development rights from the Lake Whatcom watershed in order to rezone property to increase residential densities. 1.16 Promote a coordinated effort to identify and prioritize interconnected natural areas and features for preservation to protect water quality and provide habitat recreation open space and wildlife corridors. -2- N2 Planning Division0.)FSA 2003TP NU003 Plan and zone text changes .dooTinal Versions \General Policies proposed ord ash A.doc File # CMP2003 -00003 Bellingham Urban Frinee Subarea Plan- Bellingham UGA Proposed Ordiananoe: Exhibit B Urban Reserve Medium Density 2.09 The Urban Reserve Medium Density designation (URM) is located in Bellingham's Urban Growth Area and can be developed at allowed densities upon annexation or with annexation agreements in place. The designation is intended to be developed with a full range of urban services. The designation should provide for affordable housing types such as apartments, townhouses, condominiums, mobile home parks, subdivisions and other compatible non - residential uses; with 6 or more dwelling units Per aGFO AA the allowable deris�4 a minimum net density of 10 dwelling units per acre and a maximum gross density of 24 dwelling units per acre. 2.10 The designation promotes an orderly transition from low density uses to higher density urban uses where predominantly residential uses complemented by compatible neighborhood -scale recreational and commercial services are appropriate. 2.11 Locational Criteria 2.11.1 The density classifications of twelve to eighteen twenty four units per acre should be applied to areas in the Urban Growth Area that are either adjacent to existing or planned residential developments containing similar density levels or adjacent to existing or planned commercial or light industrial developments. 2.11.2 Higher density developments should be located to take advantage of good access to public transit, arterial routes of travel, and commercial services and employment centers. 2.12 The predominant land use pattern includes single family detached dwelling units, apartments, condominiums, rooming houses, mobile home parks,— and retirement and convalescent centers, prefessienal off Gas at e ghbo hood Sale, parks and other public uses. 2.13 For those URM areas currently served by sewer and water, a mix of housing types and densities is encouraged consistent with the adopted Plan for the Urban Growth Area. 2.14 A mix of housing types and range of densities within the URM designation is encouraged particularly in areas close to industrial, commercial and other urban employment centers, adjacent to arterials and major connector streets, and where there is access to transit, parks and other recreational areas. -t - File # CMP2003 -00003 Bellingham Urban Fringe Subarea Plan- Bellingham UGA Proposed Ordianance: Exhibit B 2.15 Special consideration should be given to site design for all development in the Urban Reserve Medium designation. Specific wetland systems and sensitive environmental areas should be preserved and incorporated into the development site design plan consistent with City ordinances. Access should be from residential roads. 216 This designation also provides a receiving area for transfer of development rights credits. 2.18 In order to develop at densities greater than ten dwelling units per acre areas designated for provisional rezone to URM -24 all of the following must occur: County Code. Bellingham through approved Utility Service Zone Extension Agreements. Property owners shall apply to the County for a site - specific rezone pursuant to Chapter 20.90 WCC in conjunction with submittal of a subdivision or binding site plan application for the subiect parcel or parcels. -2- File # CMP2003 -00003 Bellingham Urban Fringe Subarea Plan- Bellingham UGA Proposed Ordinance: Exhibit C Urban Residential - Mixed 2.Ul9lt is the purpose of this zone designation to provide an orderly transition from rural to urban development by limiting densities and uses until services are available and then to provide for mixed uses in a manner that encourages a range of dwelling unit types and pedestrian access to convenience shopping and jobs while maintaining an overall single family character and property values for the neighborhoods created within this designation. 2.47201-ocational Criteria Areas appropriate for Urban Residential - Mixed (UR -MX) designation include the following: 2.4720.1 Land areas within the City of Bellingham's Northern Urban Growth Area that are of sufficient size to adequately accommodate the projected demands for residential, commercial, transportation and public uses for the twenty year planning period. 2.20.2 Land areas where a full range of urban services presently exists or can be economically and efficiently provided in the near future. 2.4720.3 Areas that contain an adequate supply of vacant land suitable for urban development. 2.U21 Commercial uses will be clustered in a single center which is no larger than (2) two acres, excluding areas used for multi - family. The commercial uses shall not exceed 2,500 square feet per building. 2.4- 922This designation also provides a receiving area for transfer of development rights credits. 2.2023The Urban Residential - —Mixed (UR -MX) Designation is located in Bellingham's Northern Urban Growth Area and can be developed at allowed densities upon annexation or with annexation agreements in place. The designation is intended to be developed with a full range of urban services. The designation should provide for affordable housing types such as apartments, townhouses, condominiums, subdivisions and other compatible non - residential uses; with a net density of at least ¢6 dwelling units per acre. 1 Lci Planning Division\ UFSA2003\ PL ANV. 0o 3 Plan and zone text changes . doc\ Final Versions \UWX Policies on] uh CAoc File # CMP2003 -00003 Bellingham Urban Fringe Subarea Plan- Bellingham UGA Proposed Ordinance: Exhibit C 2.2424Multi- family dwelling units shall ___-.- OF more ,a„ -not comprise more than 25% of the total dwelling units in one development proposal. 2.2- 225Special consideration shall be given to site design for all development in the Urban Residential - Mixed designation. Specific wetland systems and sensitive environmental areas shall be preserved and incorporated into the development site design plan consistent with City ordinances. 2.2326Residential development should be located within walking distance of transit stations, designated centers, parks and recreational areas. 2.2427Establishment of neighborhood commercial nodes-centers shall require conditional use permit approval. Once a site has been approved, the full range of permitted uses shall be allowed. 2.2- 528Establishment of mobile home parks shall require conditional use permit approval. 2.2629Commercial development should occur in nodes. Linear strips will be discouraged. 2.273013usinesses in the centers will have their fronts located on collector streets; or located adjacent to a public square or neighborhood park; and are no less than one -half mile from an existing or proposed similar center or other commercial area or zone. 2.2831 Centers should be visible and accessible to pedestrians from the streets and clearly defined through lighting, landscape, landmarks, and /or open space. 2.2932Parking will be located at the rear of the buildings with access from alleys or side streets. 2 1 @ Planning Division \UFSA 2003NLANU.003 Plan and zone lexl Changes.doc\Find Versions \UR X Policies and exh Cdoc