HomeMy WebLinkAboutord1989-014ti
FILE REF: 19- 88:CZM INTRODUCED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Planning
DATE: February 16, 1989
1 ORDINANCE NO, 89 -14
2 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LYNDEN- NOOKSACK VALLEY SUBAREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
3 MAP FROM RESIDENTIAL RURAL TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL AND AMENDING THE OFFICIAL
4 WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING MAP FROM RESIDENTIAL RURAL -TWO DWELLINGS PER ACRE TO
5 GENERAL COMMERCIAL FOR A 0.78 ACRE PARCEL ON THE EAST SIDE OF GUIDE
6 MERIDIAN, NORTH OF EAST WISER LAKE ROAD.
7 WHEREAS, Charles Vogel /Wiser Lake Furniture has filed an application requesting
8 a Comprehensive Plan Map amendment from Residential Rural to General Commercial and
9 a Zone Map amendment from Rural Residential -Two Dwellings Per Acre to General
10 Commercial for a 0.78 acre parcel on the east side of Guide Meridian, north of East
11 Wiser Lake Road; and
12 WHEREAS, a Determination of Nonsignificance was issued on October 13, 1988; and
13 WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.70.590 and Council directive a legal notice was
14 published in the Westside Record Journal on November 2, 1988, and in the Bellingham
15 Herald on November 5, 1988; and
16 WHEREAS, the Planning Department reviewed the request and prepared a staff
17 report, attached, recommending the comprehensive plan map amendment and rezone
18 request; and
19
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the
proposal on
20
November 15, 1988 and heard all
testimony on the issues and after due
deliberation
21
made a determination that the
application be approved subject to a
concomitant
22
agreement to address concerns regarding relocating RV sales, increased
setbacks to
23
accommodate future increases in
right -of -way width on Guide Meridian,
and parking,
24
access, and landscaping design;
and
25
WHEREAS, Charles Vogel has
signed the attached concomitant agreement addressing
26
the above concerns; and
27 WHEREAS, the Council held a public meeting on March 2, 1989, to coniiider the
28 Planning Commission's recommendation;
29 NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED: by the Whatcom County Council as follows:
30 1. The Comprehensive Plan Map amendment from Rural Residential to General mercial
31 and the Zone Map amendment from Rural Residential -Two Dwellings Per Acre to General
32 Commercial for a 0.78 acre parcel on the east side of Guide Meridian, north of East
33 Wiser Lake Road are hereby approved for the subject parcel bearing Assessor';s parcel
34 number (as of November 15, 1988) 400331 - 013060, including road - right -of wa) west to
35 the center line of Guide Meridian, subject to a concomitant agreement to address
36 concerns regarding relocating RV sales, increased setbacks to accommodate future
37 increases in right -of -way width on Guide Meridian, and parking, access, and
38 landscaping design.
FILE REF: 19- 88:CZM
Page 2.
0
2. The
Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezone of the subject property shall not
1
become effective until and unless all parties have signed said concomitant
2
agreement and the agreement has been recorded in the Whatcom County Auditor's
3
office.
4
3. The
Council finds the public health, safety and general welfare are promoted by
5
the
above change.
6
4. The
Council adopts the following findings and conclusions developed by the staff
7
and
the Planning Commission:
8
FINDINGS
9
1.
The request is to amend the Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea Comprehensive
10
Plan Map for a 0.78 acre parcel from Residential Rural to General
11
Commercial and to rezone the property from Residential Rural -Two Dwellings
12
per Acre to General Commercial.
13
2.
The property depends on individual wells for water and individual septic I ..
14
systems for wastewater disposal.
16
3.
The subject parcel and adjacent property to the north in the some ownership
16
have frontage on Guide Meridian which is a State Highway.
17
4.
The subject property is currently vacant with the exception of an
18
inoperable truck and a pile of used tires. Adjacent property to the north,
19
in the same ownership, is developed with a number of commercial uses, none
20
of which have received Certificates of Occupancy as required by county law.
21
There are some public safety concerns with those uses, primarily related
22
to location of parking of RV's for sale and customer parking access for
23
the other commercial uses.
24
5.
Changed conditions include acquisition of the subject property by Mr. Vogel
25
and the continuing expansion of Wiser Lake RV Sales.
�I
26
6.
The proposal appears to be generally consistent with the goals and policies
27
of the Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea Comprehensive Plan.
28
7.
The proposed rezone would benefit public safety if the existin� problems
29
are resolved as part of the rezone.
30
8.
The proposal is a logical expansion toineet the needs of busines growth.
31
9.
There are no land use conflicts associated with this proposal that would
32
not be addressed by the setback and buffer standards of the General
33
Commercial zone.
34
10.
If the rezone can address the existing public safety concerns on the
35
adjacent property in the same ownership, then there is a public advantage
36
and the rezone would be consistent with.the general rezone criteria.
' j:
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i
1
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14
15
16
17
18 ATTEST:
19
20 Clerk of the Council
21 APPROVED AS TO FORM:
22 �Cotting
23
24
25 Civil De 'ty Prosecuting Attorney
26
27
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTO
.DONALD G. HANSEY, Chairmarf
(✓j APPROVED ( ) VETOED
Shirley Van Zanten, C ty xecutive
DaflI slaw t4
I�
FILE REF: 19- 88 :CZM
Page 3
i
0
CONCLUSIONS
1
The proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezone for
I .
the subject property
2
would be consistent with the Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea Comprehensive Plan
3
amendment criteria if the applicant contractually agrees
with Whatcom County,
4
as conditions of this rezone to (1) move the RV's being offered for sale so that
5
the are in compliance with count setback requirements; 2 to submit and
Y P Y 4 () I
6
implement a parking, access and landscaping design
consistent with the
7
Comprehensive Plan policies enumerated in the preceding
sections; and (3) to
8
increase the setbacks from the Guide Meridian right -of -way
on the subject parcel
9
from 45 feet to 55 feet to accommodate future increases in
right -of -way width.
10
5. Adjudication of invalidity of any of the sections, clauses,
or provisions of this �.
11
Ordinance shall not affect or impair the validity of the
Ordinance as a whole
12
or any part thereof other than the part so declared to be
invalid.
13
PASSED this 2nd day of March 1989.
E.
14
15
16
17
18 ATTEST:
19
20 Clerk of the Council
21 APPROVED AS TO FORM:
22 �Cotting
23
24
25 Civil De 'ty Prosecuting Attorney
26
27
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTO
.DONALD G. HANSEY, Chairmarf
(✓j APPROVED ( ) VETOED
Shirley Van Zanten, C ty xecutive
DaflI slaw t4
I�
�It
Revised March "1, 1989
1930309
CHARLES VOGEL /WISER LAKE FURNITURE
CONCOMITANT AGREEMENT
THIS IS AN AGREEMENT made and entered into by and between the undersigned
owner of a certain parcel of property located in Whatcom County (hereinafter
called "Owner ") and Whatcom County, a municipal corporation (hereinafter called
"the County ");
WITNESSETH:
I. WHEREAS, the undersigned party designated "Owner" is the owner of
that certain parcel of real property (hereinafter called the "subject property ")
located in Whatcom County, which parcel is described as Assessor's parcel number
(as of November 15, 1988) 400331 - 013060 and which parcel is shown on the map
attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
II. WHEREAS, Owner has applied for a zoning reclassification of the
subject property from RESIDENTIAL RURAL -TWO DWELLINGS PER ACRE to GENERAL
COMMERCIAL and the Planning Commission has recommended in favor of such
reclassification with conditions; and
III. WHEREAS, it is in the best public interest to rezone the site as
requested and Owner recognizes it is in the best public interest to agree to the
conditions as proposed by the Planning Commission and as outlined in this
agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, this agreement witnesseth, that for and in consideration
of the passing of the ordinance changing the subject property from the
RESIDENTIAL RURAL -TWO DWELLINGS PER ACRE zone to the GENERAL COMMERCIAL zone,
and of the mutual benefits to each of the parties hereto, the Owner, his..,
successors and assigns do hereby covenant and agree:
1. That all recreational vehicles being offered for sale or otherwise parked
or stored on the Wiser Lake Furniture property, which is also owned by the
applicant, Charles Vogel, adjacent to and north of the subject property,
1
so that they are in compliance with the minimum setbacks specified in the
Official Whatcom County Zoning Ordinance, Title 20, as modified by this
agreement, and so that they no longer pose a hazard to traffic exiting
from, entering onto, or travelling northbound or southbound on Guide
Meridian Road.
2. That the minimum front yard setbacks from the Guide Meridian right -of -way
along the frontage of the subject property shall be increased from the 45
feet specified in Title 20 to 55 feet to accommodate future widening of
Guide Meridian.
3. That Owner shall, within 12 months of
submit and implement a parking, access,
the subject property and the adjacent
consistent with the policies of the
Comprehensive .Plane and in compliance
specified in Title 20.
the execution of this agreement,
and landscaping design for both
Wiser Lake Furniture property,
Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea
with the appropriate standards
4. That this agreement shall constitute a covenant running with the land and
shall be binding upon Owner, his heirs, successors and assigns, and shall
inure to the benefit of the citizens of Whatcom County. An executed copy
of this agreement shall be recorded in the Whatcom County Auditor's office
within five days of the passing of this ordinance.
5. That amendments or modifications of this agreement shall be valid only if
agreed upon by the County Council following pubic hearing in writing and
recorded in the Whatcom County Auditor's Office.
6. That nothing contained in this agreement shall be construed to restrict
the authority of the County to exercise its police powers nor to prevent
the County from initiating a zoning change in accordance with applicable
ordinances and regulations.
7. That Owner shall pay for any expenses, costs, fees incurred by the County
for enforcement of any of the conditions herein.
2
8. The covenants of this ordinance are intended to constitute a basis for
rezoning the property as herein specified which rezone shall be considered
null, void, and repealed should performance of the above conditions not
occur within 12 (twelve) months of the effective date of this ordinance.
3
9
Agreed by C1,ar /es %'� YOL ,4irIDA Ilos�fthis �ND day of �ef� 198,8✓
1 Name of property owner(s)
Assessor's parcel number 4003 31 J 0l3 060 n
�,Ute AIA
(signat e)
J&
(signature)
State of Washington
County of Whatcom
I certify that I know or have satisfactory evidence thata
Q o e signed this instrument, on oath stated that #�P/
was the.true.legal o er of the parcel therein identified, and acknowledged it
to be the free and voluntary act of such person for the purposes and uses
mentioned in the instrument.
Dated:
S146ature of Notary ublic
Residing at �7e nL,as� -r
Ili
Appointment Expires: 5 - S - 041 Fz,-
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9
Executed by WHATCOM COUNTY this � day of Mg re h 198$,
pursuant to authority contained in Ordinance ?9 -/y
0 COUNTY C N L
WH M COUNTY WAS TO
--Ha
Chairperson n e
ATTEST-,
Clerk of the Council
( ✓) APPROVED ( ) VETOED
� "- d4,.,
Shirley Van Z nten
County Executive
ved as to Form: Date: 111,4r-Ch y_j 19y9
County Prosecutor
4
e
November 15, 1988
File Ref: 19- 88:CZM
WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING AGENCY REPORT
IN THE MATTER OF AMENDING THE LYNDEN - NOOKSACK )
VALLEY SUBAREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP FROM RESI- ) FINDINGS, REASONS
DENTIAL RURAL TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL AND AMENDING ) AND MOTION
THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING MAP FROM RESI -)
DENTIAL RURAL -TWO DWELLINGS PER ACRE TO GENERAL )
COMMERCIAL FOR A 0.78 ACRE PARCEL ON THE EAST )
SIDE OF GUIDE MERIDIAN, NORTH OF EAST WISER LAKE }
ROAD. )
WHEREAS, Charles Vogel /Wiser Lake Furniture has filed an application
requesting a Comprehensive Plan Map amendment from Residential Rural to General
Commercial and a Zone Map amendment from Residential Rural -Two Dwellings Per Acre
to General Commercial for a 0.78 acre parcel on the east side of Guide Meridian,
north of East Wiser Lake Road.
WHEREAS, a Determination of Nonsignificance was issued on October 13, 1988.
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.70.590 and Council directive a legal notice
was published in the Westside Record Journal on November 2, 1988, and in the
Bellingham Herald on November 5, 1988; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held before the Planning Commission on this
matter on November 15, 1988; and
WHEREAS, after accepting public testimony and due deliberation the Planning
Commission developed findings and conclusions and unanimously moved to recommend
to Council that the application be approved subject to a concomitant agreement
to address concerns regarding relocating RV sales, increased setbacks to
accommodate future increases in right -of -way width on Guide Meridian and parking,
access and landscaping design;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
FINDINGS OF FACT AND REASONS FOR ACTION
1. A quorum of Commission members was present during the hearing and
subsequent discussion [seven Commissioners present].
2. Statutory requirements were met regarding legal notice and SEPA review.
3. The Planning Commission accepted the findings and conclusions as developed
by staff except that instead of requiring dedication of ten feet of right -
of -way, setbacks shall be increased an additional ten feet.
1
November 15, 1988
File Ref: 19- 88:CZM
4. The Planning Commission recommends that the Comprehensive Plan amendment
and rezone be approved for the Vogel property subject to a concomitant
agreement to address concerns regarding relocating RV sales, increased
setbacks to accommodate future increases in right -of -way width on Guide
Meridian and parking, access and landscaping design;
WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
David Simpson, Cha'
Daniel W. Taylor, cretary
Commissioners present at hearing:
SIMPSON, GREER, HEERINGA, HINTON, VAN DALEN, FUNKHOUSER AND FREEMAN
Attachments:
1. Staff Report
2. Draft Ordinance
3. Draft Concomitant Agreement
2
File Ref: 19 -88 CZM
November 10, 1988
WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
APPLICANT:
Charles Vogel /Wiser Lake Furniture
REQUEST:
The request is to amend the Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea Comprehensive Plan
Map for a 0.78 acre parcel from Residential Rural to General Commercial and to
rezone the property from Residential Rural -Two Dwellings per Acre to General
Commercial.
LOCATION:
The property is in the southwes t
3 East: More specifically, the
intersection of East Wiser Lake
described as Assessor's parcel
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS:
quarter of Section 31, Township 40 north, Range
property is approximately 250 feet north of the
Road and Guide Meridian. The property is legally
number 400331 - 013060.
Pursuant to RCW 36.70.590 and Council directive, legal notice was published in
the Westside Record Journal on Wednesday, November 2, 1988, and in the Bellingham
Herald on Saturday, November 5, 1988. The Deputy SEPA Responsible Official made
a Determination of Nonsignificance on October 13, 1988. The SEPA process is
being handled as a phased review pursuant to WAC 197 -11- 060(5).
REGULATORY EFFECTS OF THE REQUEST
A change in zoning from Residential Rural to General Commercial would change
allowable land uses as follows:
FROM RESIDENTIAL RURA1 ZONE: Permitted uses: single family dwellings, duplexes,
non - commercial neighborhood parks and recreation, agriculture, and home
occupations. Conditional uses: public and community facilities; schools;
churches and summer camps; retirement, boarding, convalescent and care
facilities; neighborhood grocery stores; golf courses; accessory apartments; bed
and breakfast; and intensive animal husbandry practices.
TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE: Permitted uses: Auto, motorcycle, marine and farm
implement sales, repair and service; auto service stations, car washes, and
public garages; mobile home and recreational vehicle sales; eating and drinking
File Ref: 19 -88 CZM
November 10, 1988
establishments; rental agencies; limited indoor commercial recreation; passenger
terminals; service establishments; retail establishments; printing and publishing
establishments; public and community facilities and utilities; rental storage;
hotels and motels; multi - family dwellings; and accessory uses and residences.
Conditional uses: Commercial wholesaling, churches, outdoor commercial
recreation, recreational vehicle parks, kennels, commercial truck facilities,
and golf courses.
The proposed amendment is to expand the existing General Commercial zone to allow
continuing expansion of commercial uses on adjacent property owned by the
applicant; particularly, relocation of Wiser Lake RV Sales.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
WATER AND SEWER SERVICE: The property is dependent on individual wells for water
and individual septic systems for wastewater disposal. Expansion of commercial
uses of the property would depend upon provision of an adequate source of water
to meet fire flow requirements and wastewater disposal.
TRANSPORTATION: The subject property has approximately 200 feet of frontage on
Guide Meridian, contiguous with approximately 375 feet of frontage on the
applicant's property in the General Commercial zone. Guide Meridian is a State
Highway having a right -of -way width of 60 feet at this location. We have
contacted the Washington Department of Transportation regarding this rezone
proposal and are awaiting a response.
LAND USE: The subject property is currently undeveloped. It is mostly covered
with grass and brush. There is an inoperable old truck and a pile of used tires
stored on the site. Surrounding uses to the east, south, and across the highway
to the west are a mix of agriculture and low density residential.
Land use to the north of the subject parcel consists primarily of Wiser Lake
Furniture which is owned by the applicant and two mobile homes, one of which is
occupied by Mr. Vogel. The furniture business and the building have apparently
been in existence for many years, possibly prior to county zoning. However,
there are several other businesses using the same building complex and the
parking area fronting on Guide Meridian. Lynden Tool and.Battery was apparently
established prior to 1986, under the previous General Protection zoning. Wiser
Lake RV Sales has been in existence, according to the operator, for two and one
half years. This would indicate that it too was started while the GP zone was
still in effect. According to Buildings and Code staff, Conditional Use Permits
would not have been required for establishment of these businesses adjacent to
an existing business in the GP zone. Also, there are two small
woodworking /cabinet shops in the building and Rod's Auto, which sells and install
used Japanese automobile engines. Rod's Auto appears to have been established
within the past two years, under the present General Commercial zoning. All of
the businesses are presently permitted outright in the GC zone. Regardless of
zoning, Whatcom County requires that a business obtain a Certificate of
2
File Ref: 19 -88 CZM
November 10, 1988
Occupancy. Occupancy Certificates include inspection for fire and structural
safety. According to County records, only one Certificate of Occupancy has been
issued for this property. That Certificate was issued to Lloyd Vogel for a dog
grooming business in 1981. Apparently the business no longer exists. There is
a notation in the file indicating that Sunrise Cabinets was operating on the
property in 1981. Buildings and Code staff have notified Charles Vogel of the
need to obtain Occupancy Certificates.
Aside from the Occupancy Certificates, there are two public safety concerns
associated with the existing uses on the Wiser Lake Furniture property that could
be addressed in this rezone process. The first and most obvious problem is that
the RV sales business involves storage of RV's for sale and placement of signs
directly adjacent to the Guide Meridian right -of -way. The RV's are sharing
space with the area used for parking for the furniture store. Part of the
purpose of the rezone is to provide more space for RV storage and a place for
a building for servicing the RV's. In addition to not being in compliance with
the setback requirements (45 feet from a State Highway right -of -way) the RV's
obstruct traffic visibility. The visibility problem is compounded by the fact
that Guide Meridian dips to the north and to the south of the property, limiting
sight distance in either direction. This creates a hazard for traffic on the
Guide and for traffic entering and exiting the property. The other concern also
relates to parking and access. Currently, access to parking for the complex is
available all along the road frontage. There are no designated entry and exit
points. This is a source of confusion and serves to compound problems associated
with traffic entering or leaving the property.
ANALYSIS
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Criteria
The Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea Comprehensive Plan, on page 88, requires the
Planning Commission make the following findings before adopting any amendments
to the Comprehensive Plan Map:
The amendment:
1. is based on changed conditions: Changed conditions include acquisition
of the subject property by Mr. Vogel and the continuing expansion of Wiser Lake
RV Sales.
2. or corrects a previously unknown informational error, There is no apparent
informational error.
3. and is consistent with the adopted Whatcom County Goa] Statements: The
proposal appears to be consistent with the Regional Design Goals in that it is
contiguous to existing commercial development. It also appears to be consistent
with the Land Use Goals of avoiding incompatible land uses and the proliferation
of unnecessary new commercial areas and accommodating economic development with
3
File Ref: 19 -88 CZM
November 10, 1988
consideration for land use compatibility and transportation accessibility.
4. and fulfills a need benefitting the general public health, safety and
welfare, consistent with the policies and intents of the Plan rather than
individual pecuniary interests; The proposed rezone would benefit public safety
if the existing problems are resolved as part of the rezone. Some applicable
intents and policies from the Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea Comprehensive Plan
are as follows:
GENERAL COMMERCIAL:
Intent Statement: . to facilitate safe and efficient circulation systems,
provide methods to attain compatibility with surrounding non - commercial uses,
and promote site design that will efficiently use available commercial land."
Policy 4.04.1 Ingress and egress points to state and county roads should be
minimized by consolidating on -site circulation networks."
Policy 4.04.5 "General Commercial areas should be developed to attain aesthetic
and functional compatibility with other uses within the designation as well as
with adjoining non - commercial areas by use of the following methods.
1. overall site planning: landscaping, signage, access, parking, lighting, etc.
2. screened and /or landscaped buffer from residential and rural areas."
TRANSPORTATION
Policy 1.01 " Whatcom County shall use the development approval process of
subdivision, zoning, and building permits to establish community circulation
patterns and to secure rights -of -way and construction of all functional road
classifications."
Policy 1.02.1 " . . . Specifically, the land development process shall be used
to facilitate the acquisition of additional right -of -way width for state highways
having substandard right -of -way widths."
Policy 1.04.4 " Where the Guide Meridian Improvement Plan, Title 22, doesn't
apply on the Guide Meridian corridor, a 100 foot right -of -way shall be set aside.
Policy 1.04.8 " Whatcom County shall encourage the use of shared access roads
from commercial, industrial and residential developments to limit intersections
with arterials."
5. and is not arbitrary and capricious; The proposal is a logical expansion
to meet the needs of business growth.
6. and is consistent with existing and planned surrounding land uses; There
are no land use conflicts associated with this proposal that would not -be
addressed by the setback and buffer standards of the General Commercial zone.
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File Ref: 19 -88 CZM
November 10, 1988
7. and 077 not result in unmitigated adverse impacts to existing or planned
transportation networks, or existing or planned uti7ity servicing. No
transportation or utilities impacts have been identified.
General Rezone Criteria
Some general rezone criteria have arisen from various land use court cases in
Washington State. One criterion in is the burden of proving that conditions have
substantially_ changed since the most recent zoning was enacted. Changes in
ownership and expansion of business activity have occurred since the Lynden
Nooksack Valley Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1986. Another criterion is
that it must be shown that a'site specific rezone which grants a discriminatory
benefit to an individual or group provides some public advantage weighted against
potential detriment to the use and enjoyment of surrounding property or to the
community at large. If the rezone can address the existing public safety
concerns on the adjacent property in the same ownership, then there is a public
advantage and the rezone would be consistent with this criterion.
FINDINGS
1. The request is to amend the Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea Comprehensive
Plan Map for a 0.78 acre parcel from Residential Rural to General
Commercial and to rezone the property from Residential Rural -Two Dwellings
per Acre to General Commercial.
2. The property depends on individual wells for water and individual septic
systems for wastewater disposal.
3. The subject parcel and adjacent property to the north in the some ownership
have frontage on Guide Meridian which is a State Highway.
4. The subject property is currently vacant with the exception of an
inoperable truck and a pile of used tires. Adjacent property to the north,
in the same ownership, is developed with a number of commercial uses, none
of which have received Certificates of Occupancy as required by county law.
There are some public safety concerns with those uses, primarily related
to location of parking of RV's for sale and customer parking access for
the other commercial uses.
5. Changed conditions include acquisition of the subject property by Mr. Vogel
and the continuing expansion of Wiser Lake RV Sales.
6. The proposal appears to be consistent with the County Goal Statements.
7. The proposed rezone would benefit public safety if the existing problems
are resolved as part of the rezone.
5
File Ref: 19 -88 CZM
November 10, 1988
8. Applicable intents and policies from the Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea
Comprehensive Plan include: facilitation of safe and efficient circulation
systems; minimizing ingress and egress points to state and county roads
by consolidating on -site circulation networks; use of overall site planning
including landscaping, signage, access, parking, lighting, etc.; using the
zoning process to facilitate the acquisition of additional right -of -way
width for state highways having substandard right -of -way widths; where the
Guide Meridian Improvement Plan, Title 22, doesn't apply on the Guide
Meridian corridor, a 100 foot right -of -way shall be set aside; and
encouragement of the use of shared access roads from commercial, industrial
and residential developments to limit intersections with arterials.
9. The proposal is a logical expansion to meet the needs of business growth.
10. There are no land use conflicts associated with this proposal that would
not be addressed by the setback and buffer standards of the General
Commercial zone.
11. If the rezone can address the existing public safety concerns on the
adjacent property in the same ownership, then there is a public advantage
and the rezone would be consistent with the general rezone criteria.
CONCLUSIONS
The proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezone for the subject property
would be consistent with the Lynden - Nooksack Valley Subarea Comprehensive Plan
amendment criteria if the applicant contractually agrees with Whatcom County,
as conditions of this rezone to (1) move the RV's being offered for sale so that
they are in compliance with county setback requirements; (2) to submit and
implement a parking, access and landscaping design consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan policies enumerated in the preceding sections; and (3) to
dedicate ten feet of Right -of -way adjacent to the 0.78 acre rezone parcel.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Planning Staff recommends approval of Charles Vogel's request to amend the
Lynden- Nooksack Valley Subarea Comprehensive Plan Map for a 0.78 acre parcel from
Residential Rural to General Commercial and to rezone the property from
Residential Rural -Two Dwellings per Acre to General Commercial subject to a
concomitant agreement to address public safety concerns associated with parking
of RV's for sale and access for customer parking and to dedicate ten feet of
right -of -way to help bring the Guide Meridian closer to the standard for State
Highways articulated in the Comprehensive Plan.