HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2002-038WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL
NO. 2002 - 227
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Ong. Dept: County Council
614/2002
614/2002
Introduction
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT.
Ordinance imposing a moratorium - Lake Whatcom subdivisions
ATTACHMENTS
SUMMARY STATEMENT
Related County Contract p: Shoff uld the Clerk schedule a hearing? O(N) Y Requested Date:
This ordinance imposes a moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for subdivisions or short plats of land into parcels
smaller than five nominal acres in the Lake Whatcom Watershed unless the applications were complete, as provided in Whatcom
County Code, prior to the effective date of this ordinance.
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
2002 -227 614/2002. Introduced
6/1812002: Amended and adopted 7 -0, Ord. #2002 -038
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only).'
NB2001-377, ORll * 20C2-036
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Consent
INTRODUCTION DATE: 6/4/02
ORDINANCE NO. 2002 -038
IMPOSING AN INTERIM MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF
NEW APPLICATIONS FOR SUBDIVISIONS OF LAND
INTO PARCELS SMALLER THAN FIVE NOMINAL ACRES WITHIN
THE LAKE WHATCOM WATERSHED
WHEREAS, Lake Whatcom is the drinking water source for approximately half
the residents of Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, the preservation and protection of drinking water is a top priority
of the Whatcom County Council; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code 20.71 establishes the Lake Whatcom
Watershed as a Water Resource Protection Overlay District, Stormwater Special
Management Area, and a Water Resource Special Management Area; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, adopted on May 20,
1997, establishes the Lake Whatcom Watershed as a Special Study Area; and
WHEREAS, there are concerns that future and current residential
development within the Lake Whatcom Watershed will degrade the quality of water
that is withdrawn from the lake for drinking water purposes; and
WHEREAS, there are a variety of land use - related pollutants that can
adversely impact lake water quality which may lead to violations of the Safe
Drinking Water Act (SDWA); and
WHEREAS, information is needed to predict and evaluate the amount of
pollution from existing and future development in the Lake Whatcom Watershed;
and
WHEREAS, there are approximately 1,000 parcels within the Lake Whatcom
Watershed that can be further subdivided to create approximately 2,000 additional
parcels; and
WHEREAS, priority actions to protect the drinking water supply should
include strategies to address existing development, future development, and
emergency or spill response; 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 November 26 , 2001; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing on this
issue within 60 days.
Page 1
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 nominal acres in the
Lake Whatcom 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 within 180 days of the effective date of
this ordinance, the Whatcom County Council requests that the Administration
develop the following policies:
1. Development of a Stormwater Program to include the requirement that
new development effectively reduces the net pollutant produced by the
project to a negative 10 percent to provide lake water quality
protection at 110 percent.
2. Create techniques as needed to prepare plans, specifications,
financing, and construction of surface water utility treatment facilities
to be available for existing and future development within the Lake
Whatcom watershed and for the benefit of all residents and property
owners within Whatcom County.
BE IT FINALLY ORDAINED that this ordinance shall expire on the 30th day
following its effective date.
ADOPTED this 18 day of June , 2002
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the Coun it L. Ward Iso , Chairp rson
APPROVED as to form:
Civil Deput r secutor
Page 2
Approved () Denied
Pete IQ emen, Executive
Date: 4 /ao /o 1