HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources June 17 20141
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
June 17, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(9:33:10 AM)
Present: Carl Weimer, Sam Crawford and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen, and Rud Browne.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE BY WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING &
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF ON GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND LANDSLIDE
AREAS IN WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2014 -169)
John Thompson, Public Works Department, described his background in landslide
geology. He submitted and read from a presentation (on file).
Kremen asked and there was discussion about potential sloughing problems and
possible risks at Cherry Point and the Chuckanut Mountain area.
Brenner asked if there are maps that show the different types of geology.
Thompson concluded the presentation and read through a handout of the geologic
hazards information enhancements (on file).
(10:01:39 AM)
Buchanan asked and there was discussion about whether the County can make
available simple geologic information and maps per parcel for citizens.
Weimer asked and there was discussion about adding various maps to the Assessor's
database.
Mike Pellela, Administrative Services Department, answered questions.
Brenner asked if the County staff work with the Western Washington University
geology department.
Browne stated he hopes the different departments coordinate to create one unified
system rather than several individual systems. He hopes the County takes advantage of the
underlying technology that is available.
Natural Resources Committee, 6/17/2014, Page 1
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Crawford asked and there was discussion about educating people who live in or are
considering developing in hazard areas similar to the landslide area in Oso, Washington.
Avoid questions that occur in the aftermath of such a situation regarding citizen notification
by adding language to property deeds so people acknowledge they are in a hazardous area.
He asked and there was discussion about whether people receive any notification when they
want to build now in an alluvial fan area. He asked if there is a process for consideration
and notification in these areas and whether the County should strengthen any consideration
and notification it currently does. He asked the level of analysis the County should do in the
areas of Church Mountain, Racehorse Creek, and other areas.
Thompson stated any solution must have several prongs to address the different
types of landslides. Evaluate all the hazards, then address them systematically through the
work plan. Other counties make a notation of hazard areas on recorded documents, so it's
an option.
Crawford asked if there are basic things the County can do, such as notification and
signage in areas, that would elevate everyone's awareness. Provide tools for citizens to
investigate their specific property. Know what they are going to do with the information
first before deciding on how to collect the data.
Thompson stated the County already creates aerial photographs. Light Detection
and Ranging ( LIDAR) costs about $500 per square mile, but the State may do some of that
work.
Crawford asked if the County has the authority to regulate disclosure requirements
of hazardous areas at the time of property purchase and what the County does when people
want to build in a landslide hazardous area.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, stated he's not aware of requirements for notice
on title in geologic hazard areas. There is review for new development of single - family
residential projects that includes geologic hazard areas. He described the review process
using LIDAR and geographic information system (GIS) maps. Current regulations require
critical area approval for geologic hazard areas. It doesn't allow for subdivisions within
existing geologic hazard areas. He described plans for funding hazard availability
information in the 2015 -2016 Budget.
Crawford stated he's open to regulatory enhancement, but only in a way that makes
residents aware of what they're doing. Make new buyers aware of what they're getting into.
Weimer asked how to prioritize these types of things and whether they can be paid
for using flood funds.
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, stated legal counsel will need to
answer that question.
Roland Middleton, Public Works Department, stated they probably could use flood
funds for alluvial fan areas. The proposed geologic hazard information enhancements are
projects that can also be funded by the State. The purpose of the projects on this list is for
staff to show the State that the County is prepared to do these types of programs.
Weimer asked and there was discussion about the timeline for looking at the
priorities and funding sources. Schroeder stated he anticipates having an initial discussion
Natural Resources Committee, 6/17/2014, Page 2
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on the water action plan with the Council on July 8. There is another opportunity at the
August 5 meeting to finalize those budget discussions and priorities. They must consider all
the priorities and funding sources. Staff and the administration will present its priorities to
the Council. They have discussed using flood funds for projects in the water action plan.
Brenner stated don't put information on property titles, but give people information
at the time of sale. Don't make the County liable for saying something is hazardous when it
isn't.
Abart thanked the staff from several different departments for working on this issue
at the Council's request and working to narrow the issues down to some actionable items for
moving forward.
Browne stated the flood fund is about hazard identification and prevention and public
safety. This is the same issue. Also, the Puget Sound LIDAR Consortium seems to no
longer be working. He asked staff to provide suggestions for where he can get that data.
Weimer stated the Council hasn't provided a consensus to narrow the potential
action items. He is interested in putting a disclosure in the critical areas ordinance and
improving disclosure countywide. That seems to be something the Assessor is doing.
Before the Council provides consensus, the Council needs to know what questions it is being
asked.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:33 a.m.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barry Buchanan, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 6/17/2014, Page 3