HomeMy WebLinkAboutord1998-02701IL4TCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 98 -136
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office:
Agenda date
Assigned to:
Iinator: Elizabeth K. Olsen
Division Head: Sylvia Goodwin
3/9/98
MAR j 81�J8
WHATCOM COUNTY
3/24/98
Introduct ion
3
4/7/98
P & D / Council
Dept. Head: Michael Knapp
Prosecutor:
'%?
Purchasing/Budget:
Executive:
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SUBJECT. File Reference: 06 -98 ZM: An Ordinance to amend the Official Whatcom County Zoning Map from Rural
Forestry (RF) to Rural Five Acres (R5A) for approximately 20.44 acres in the Foothills Subarea and to bring the Official
Whatcom County Zoning Map into compliance with the adopted Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan map designations.
ATTACHMENTS: Whatcom County Planning Department Agency Report
Proposed Ordinance with Attachment "1"
Excerpt from Draft Planning Commission minutes, March 12, 1998
SUMMARYSTATEMENT:
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:
runt 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
The request is to amend the Official Whatcom County Zoning Map from Rural Forestry (RF) to Rural Five Acres (R5A)
for approximately 20.44 acres in the Foothills Subarea, as per the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan map designation.
ORIGINATOR'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Director of Planning and Development Services recommends
Council adopt the proposed ordinance.
COMMITTEE ACTION TAKEN:
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN.
1998 - 136 3/24/98: Introduced
4/7/98: Adopted 6 - 1, Hoag opposed. Ord. #98 -027
Related File Numbers: #06 -98 :ZM Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
1
2
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Consent
INTRODUCTION DATE: 3/24/98
ORDINANCE NO. 98 -027
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING MAP
FROM RURAL FORESTRY (RF) TO RURAL FIVE ACRE (R5A) FOR
APPROXIMATELY 20.44 ACRES IN THE FOOTHILLS SUBAREA
WHWREAS, The Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Department
has requested that the Official Whatcom County Zoning Map be amended from Rural Forestry
(RF) to Rural Five Acre (R5A) for approximately 20.44 acres in the Foothills Subarea; and
. WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.70.590 legal notice was published in the Bellingham
Herald on Thursday, February 26, 1998; and
WHEREAS, the Deputy SEPA Official determined in a memorandum dated March 3,
1998 that SEPA requirements have been met by the Draft and Final Environmental Impact
Statements prepared in conjunction with the adoption of the Whatcom County Comprehensive
Plan in 1997 and that no further SEPA review is required by Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed
amendment on March 12, 1998 and considered all testimony; and
WHEREAS, the Council held a public meeting on April 7, 1998 to consider this
matter and approved the Planning Commission recommendation; and
WHEREAS, the Council found the amendments in the best interest of the public
health, safety, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Council has adopted the following Findings and Conclusions:
FINDINGS
1. The subject 20.44 acre property is in the South Fork Valley Subarea, in a rural, locale.
2. The Whatcom County Council requested that the Planning and Development Services
Page 1
Department initiate rezones of parcels that were approved for comprehensive plan map
changes to make the zoning consistent with the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.
3. The subject property is presently undeveloped and forested.
4. Surrounding uses are commercial forest land to the east; undeveloped rural forest land
to the south; a Boy Scout Camp to the north; recreational dwellings to the.west and
southwest.
5. The existing zoning to the south and west is Rural, RSA.
6. The property is assessed as "Classified Forest" land, and was placed there by the
owner's knowledge and consent. This classification defines the land as being "devoted
to the legal growth and harvest of wood fibre for a commercial use". In June, 1992, a
geomorphic review was written in conjunction with a Forest Practice Application,
#1916412 which has since lapsed. If and when the 20.44 acre parcel is short- platted,
the Classified Forest designation will be rescinded and option of transferring into the
Open Space program will be provided.
7. The State Growth Management Act defines rural. lands as those that are "located
outside urban growth areas and which do not include designated agriculture, forestry,
or mineral resource lands of long -term commercial significance ".
8. Public water and sewer are unavailable to the subject property therefore private wells
and septic systems would be utilized.
9. If further short- platting and development is under consideration, the existing privately
maintained roadway will have to be up- graded for fire apparatus and equipment access.
10. Discussion has been held regarding rezoning the 20.44 acre subject property from
Rural Forestry to R10A or to R5A zoning, with concerns held about the severity of the
terrain and in the constraints in the development of it. Arguments both pro and con
were voiced on July 21, 1993, at the. regular meeting of the Whatcom County Planning
Commission.
11. The only changes in this area have been a slight increase in the County population and
some increase in demand for recreational access and development.
12. The Whatcom County Council has changed the Official Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan Map from the Rural Forest designation to the Rural designation
in the adoption of the 1997 Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.
13. The Rural designation in the Comprehensive Plan Designations Map describes the
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definition of Rural as: "Allows one dwelling unit per two, five, or ten acres, but
encouraging ten acre development;..... ".
CONCLUSIONS
R5A or R10A zoning would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan designation of
"Rural".
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that:
Section 1. The Official Whatcom County Zoning Map is hereby amended from Rural Forestry
(RF) to Rural Five Acre (R5A) for approximately 20.44 acres in the Foothills Subarea as
shown on Attachment 1 (Assessor's Parcel #400608 - 096455).
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 7 day of April , 1998.
ATTEST:
APPROVED as to form
d
Karen Frakes, Civil Deputy rosecutor
i s \planning\ rezones \06 -98z m. ord
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Rob rt Imhof, Council Chat
( Approved () Denied
Page 3
Pete Kremen, Executive
Date:
!f
ATTACHMENT 1
I / �
OF REZ
1- 3
V'
F
ONE-
400608 - 096455