HomeMy WebLinkAboutord1997-062WIIATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 97 -355
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council
Agenda date
Assigned to:
Originator: Jeff Griffin
. ision Head: Sylvia Goodwin
JG
10/10/97
aaOffiiccee:
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OCT 51991
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WHATCOM COUNTY
COUNCIL
10/21/97
11/18/97
Council Introduction
P & D / Council
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Dept. Head: Michael T. Knapp
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Prosecutor: Karen Frakes
Purchasing/Budget:
Executive: Pete Kremen
SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE, TITLE
20, CONCERNING SCREENING AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR LOTS
WITHIN RECREATIONAL SUBDIVISIONS.
ATTACHMENTS.
Agency Report
Proposed Ordinance
Planning Commission Minutes
Staff Report .
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Please complete sections of box as appropriate & explain the item below.
Related County contract #: n/a
Should Clerk schedule a hearing? NO /X / YES // Requested date:
Amount budgeted for this item/project: $ n/a
Is it (or will it be) within budget? YES /X / NO / / (Please explain below) n/a
Budget line item number(s): n/a
'1 ___s proposed ordinance responds to a private request to exempt RV users at the Glen at Maple Falls from meeting
screening requirements and accessory structure limitations. The Planning Commission viewed the exemption from
screening requirements as unnecessary, but recommended to approve an increase in the size of accessory structures.
ORIGINATOR'SRECOMMENDEDACTION. The Director of Planning & Development Services recommends approval
of the proposed ordinance.
COMMITTEE ACTION TAKEN:
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN.
1997.-355 10/21/97: Introduced
11/18/97: Adopted 7 - 0. Ord. #97 -063
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
SPONSORED BY: Planning__
PROPOSED BY: Council
INTRODUCTION DATE: 10/21/9
ORDINANCE NO. 97-062
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING
ORDINANCE, TITLE 20, CONCERNING SCREENING AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
REQUIREMENTS FOR LOTS WITHIN RECREATIONAL SUBDIVISIONS.
WHEREAS, an application was submitted to amend the text of the official Whatcom county
zoning ordinance, title 20, decreasing screening and increasing accessory structure size limitation
requirements for lots within recreational subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.70.590 legal notice was published in the Bellingham Herald
on Thursday, August 28., 1997; and
WHEREAS, a Determination of Non - Significance had been issued on August 29, 1996, by the
responsible Deputy SEPA Official; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on
September 11, 1997, and considered all testimony.
WHEREAS, the Council reviewed the Planning Commission recommendation at a regular
meeting on November 18, 1997 and after due deliberation approved the matter; and
WHEREAS, the Council found the amendments in the best interest ofthe public health, safety,
and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Council has adopted the following Findings and Conclusions:
FINDINGS
A 1993 text amendment established recreational vehicles as a permitted use within recreational
subdivisions in both the Rural Residential and Urban Residential zones in the Foothills Subarea.
The action included the Glen at Maple Falls and created general conformance between
recreational land uses there and county zoning regulations.
2. The Glen at Maple Falls seeks to further refine Title 20 language for greater consistency with
their establishment. Unlike other recreational subdivisions The Glen primarily serves RVs.
3. The 1993 text amendment was originally drafted' in order to acknowledge a pre- existing land use
and to mitigate impacts from RVs to neighboring cabin or home owners. This situation does not
apply where the use is strictly RVs.
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4. The existing limitation on accessory structures was adopted in order to avoid misuse and the
gradual dilapidation or unsafe extensions that tends to occur without controls. The limitation
may be too restrictive, however, especially when RV -ports are counted as part of the 200 square
foot limitation.
CONCLUSIONS
The 1993 amendment to allow recreational vehicles within recreational subdivisions recognized a pre-
existing land use. The amendment included minimum standards to mitigate conflict between cabin
owners and RV owners. The standards also addressed the problems concerning a gradual proliferation of
accessory uses on RV lots. The current request makes certain exceptions from these general rules, for
areas where RVs are the primary use. The screening requirement was established to mitigate for multi-
use recreational subdivisions, whereas the accessory structure size limitation was enacted to curb a
proliferation of accessory uses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that:
Section. 1. The Official Whatcom County Zoning Ordinance, Title 20, is hereby amended as shown in
the attached Exhibit A.
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 18 day of November 1997.
ATTEST:
�Ba�ia avis, County Clerk
APPR VED as to form:
Karen Frakes, Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
e Jr,
. Ward Nelson, Cha erson
(� Approved () Denied
e Kremen, Executive
Date: 11-o2 Y- y%
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1 . EXHIBIT A
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4 The Official Whatcom County Zoning Ordinance, Title 20, s hereby amended as follows:
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6 20.20.050 Permitted uses.
7 20.32.050 Permitted uses.
8 .056 One private, noncommercial, recreational vehicle or mobile home per lot within pre- existing
9 recreational subdivisions of the Foothills Subarea; provided that on -site recreational amenities are
10 present and that the following minimum requirements and standards are met and/or followed:
11 (1) All recreational vehicles and subdivisions shall comply with health department regulations,
12 including approved sewage disposal systems.
13 (2) Maximum length of stay in a recreational vehicle shall not exceed 120 days for any one -year
14 time period.
15 (3) All recreational vehicles shall be screened from either neighboring properties not using RVs or
16 the roads in the subdivision. Existing trees and natural vegetation shall be maintained in all side
17 and rear setback areas.
18 (4) Lots shall not be leased or rented out on a daily or overnight basis for recreational use.
19 (5) Accessory structures shall be limited to storage, shop, garage, carport and/or similar personal use
20 only and shall not exceed a total of 200 square feet in floor area per to "d'd that tle 2flQ'
21 squarefoolim�tatlo �`���ttltortton of�a carpottc y e .,?
22 (6) The location of parked RVs shall observe normal building setback standards for a "single- family
23 residence.
24 (7) All recreational vehicles shall be supported by their own chassis and/or wheels, and not be
25 fastened to accessory structures.
26 (8) The lot does not have a single - family residence; provided that the storage of one unoccupied
recreational vehicle is permitted.
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