HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2002-011WAATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2002 - 63
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Ong. Dept.: County Council
1/11/1002
E C E I V E
JAN 11 2002
WHATCOM COUNTY
COUNCIL
1/152002
Introduction
Division Head:
Dept Head:
Prosecutor:
Budget:
Pecutive:
SUBJECT:
Ordinance interim moratorium on new applications within the Lk Samish Watershed
ATTACHMENTS
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Related County Contract #: Should the Clerk schedule a heming7(YIN) Y Requested Date:
Ordinance imposing an interim moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for subdivisions of land into parcels smaller
than five some within the Lake Samish Watershed.
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
2002-63 1/1512002: Introduced
129/2002: Heating continued to February 12 meeting
2/12/2002: Amended and adopted 7 -0, qab #2002 -011
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
M64 20ML Dl
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: McShane
INTRODUCTION DATE: January 15.2002
ORDINANCE # 2002 -011
IMPOSING AN INTERIM MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF NEW
APPLICATIONS FOR SUBDIVISIONS OF LAND INTO PARCELS MALLER
THAN FIVE ACRES WITHIN THE LAKE SAMISH WATERSHED
WHEREAS, there are concerns that future and current development
within the Lake Samish Watershed will degrade the quality of water that is
withdrawn from the lake for drinking water purposes; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code 20.71 establishes the Lake Samish
Watershed as a Water Resource Protection Overlay District; and
WHEREAS, there are approximately 1,000 new building lots that could
be created within the Lake Samish Watershed under current zoning; and
WHEREAS, an application for a comprehensive plan amendment has
been submitted to Whatcom County to change the zoning designation for
approximately 500 acres within the Lake Samish Watershed from suburban
enclave to rural; and
WHEREAS, information is needed to predict and evaluate the impacts
of full build out of the suburban enclave to the existing sewer system, road
infrastructure, schools, and storm water management; and
WHEREAS, the occurrence of potentially toxic algae blooms pose a
health risk to residences of Lake Samish that use the water as a drinking
water source and recreational users of the lake; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County is required to prepare and /or implement
a watershed action plan for the portion of the Samish Bay Watershed Action
Plan with the County jurisdiction and Lake Samish is within the Samish Bay
Watershed and is a critical portion of the watershed; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council implemented a development
moratorium within the Lake Whatcom Watershed in order to develop best
management practices for stormwater management for subdivisions, roads
and single family residences and to address impacts of both existing and
future development and Lake Samish is within a Water Resource Protection
District with the same rules as Lake Whatcom; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council finds the interim moratorium
imposed by this ordinance is necessary for the protection of public health and
safety; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County SEPA Official issued a Determination
of Non - Significance on January 14, 2002; and
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WHEREAS,
the Whatcom
County
Council held a public
hearing on this
issued on January
29,2002.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County
Council that a moratorium is hereby imposed on the acceptance of new
applications for subdivisions or short plats of land into parcels smaller than
five acres in the Lake Samish Watershed unless the applications were
complete, as provided in Whatcom County Code, prior to the effective date of
this ordinance.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that this moratorium be in effect during
the period that the Whatcom County Planning Commission and Whatcom
County Council consider the proposed amendment to the Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan for changing the Suburban Enclave designation within
the Lake Samish Watershed to Rural, but in no event, absent further
extensions allowed by law, no more than 180 days from the effective date of
this ordinance.
ADOPTED this 12 day of February , 2002
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk L. Ward Nelson, Chairperson
APPROVED as atoform:
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Civil DLVPuty Prosecutor
App�q �. ved Denied
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Pete Kre en „Executive
Date: o2I/q/7ooa
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