HomeMy WebLinkAboutord1989-094billbord.ord INTRODUCED BY: Warner
PROPOSED BY: Warner
DATE: 11 -2 -89
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2, ORDINANCE NO. 89-94=
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4 AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE IMPOSING A 60 -DAY
5 MORATORIUM ON PROCESSING OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS
6 FOR BILLBOARDS IN WHATCOM COUNTY, PENDING STUDY
7 OF APPROPRIATE OFFICIAL CONTROLS
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10 WHEREAS, Section 2.40 of the Whatcom County Charter allows for passage of
11 an emergency ordinance obviating the need for a waiting period; and
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13 WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code Section 20.80.510 conditionally permits off -
14 premise advertising signs under some circumstances; and
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16 WHEREAS, Whatcom County is presently experiencing unprecedented interest
17 by the public in development and has recently received eight applications for
18 billboards, creating an exigent circumstance; and
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20 WHEREAS, billboards may block off or otherwise spoil significant views in
21 some areas and also may by proliferation become unattractive, obtrusive, oppressive
22 and dangerous even in areas with no special distinction; and
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24 WHEREAS, the proliferation of billboards may be accompanied by violations
25 of other laws, such as lighting restrictions in zoning controls, division of land
26 restrictions for purposes of lease in the subdivision regulations, clear vision
27 requirements relating to traffic safety; and
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29 WHEREAS, Whatcom County has expressed its resolution to study the official
30 controls necessary to the regulation of billboards in the changing future presented by
31 the present economy of Whatcom County; and
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33 WHEREAS, the public health, safety and welfare would be best protected and
34 preserved by such controls and the threat of present demand necessitates pause in
35 processing of conditional use permits for off -site advertising billboards, and this 60 -day
36 moratorium is necessary to implement meaningful land use controls;
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40 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council
41 that off site advertising signs shall not be regarded as permitted or conditionally
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permitted uses and the further acceptance of applications for the same shall be stayed
pending a 60 -day period of study of the impacts of such use and necessary official
controls; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an emergency does exist and this .
ordinance shall become effective immediately upon passage and the approval by the
Executive; further, the Whatcom County Council finds this ordinance is necessary for
the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and /or support of the
government.
ADOPTED this 2nd day of November, 1989.
ATTEST:
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Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCZffai�ey,'Cohairm!�n OUNCIL
T ASHINGTON
onald
(-,)'Approved( ) Denied
JZ4. UL
Shirley Van Zanten, Exe&dive
Date: I t - -It
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