HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources October 14 20141
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
October 14, 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
(9:32:50 AM)
Present: Carl Weimer, Sam Crawford and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen and Rud Browne.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING A PROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING
WHATCOM COUNTY /CITY OF BELLINGHAM JOINT GRANTING AUTHORITY
RECOMMENDATIONS ON SIX APPLICATIONS FOR OPEN SPACE CURRENT
USE ASSESSMENT ON LANDS LOCATED WITHIN CITY OF BELLINGHAM AS
AUTHORIZED BY THE OPEN SPACE TAXATION ACT, CHAPTER 84.34 RCW
(AB2014 -319)
Erin Osborne, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report
and described the open space application process in an incorporated area and applications
submitted in 2009. After the Council approved these applications, the City staff expressed
concerns. She has been working with City staff, and they are working on a joint granting
authority. She doesn't know why the City hasn't acted. She now recommends that the
Council continue to move forward. The County is under review by the Department of
Revenue for failure to conclude the application status. Hold a hearing on this draft
resolution. If the City indicates that it is willing to approve the conditions in the draft
resolution, the County could try to take separate action.
The Committee discussed the previous, normal approval process; the effect of these
applications if the City and County approve; the collective value shift in property value; the
City's concerns; the City's timeline, and; allowing the City to go through its process before
the County approves anything.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Crawford and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee, 10/14/2014, Page 1
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1. RESOLUTION REPEALING WHATCOM COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2009 -078,
RELATED TO PREVIOUS OPEN SPACE APPLICATION RECOMMENDATIONS
(AB2014 -320) (9:51:34 AM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Crawford and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. ORDINANCE TERMINATING OPEN SPACE TIMBER LAND CLASSIFICATION
AND CONSOLIDATING TIMBER LAND CLASSIFICATION WITH DESIGNATED
FOREST LAND CLASSIFICATION AND DECLARING LAND PREVIOUSLY
CLASSIFIED AS TIMBER LAND TO BE DESIGNATED FOREST LAND (AB2014-
300) (9 :52:06 AM)
Erin Osborne, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted
information (on file) and gave a staff report on recent changes by the State legislature
regarding designation requirements.
Keith Willnauer, Assessor, described the reason for the recent statute change and
answered questions.
Topics of discussion included: whether the statute change alters the number of
residences that can be developed; whether it's less likely that someone will manage a parcel
less than ten acres; whether a timber management plan is required; and whether those
currently in the open space timber land classification would automatically shift to designated
forest land.
The Committee also discussed comments from the County's Forestry Advisory
Committee, whether the ordinance can require timber management plans on all these
properties; whether amending the proposed ordinance to include a requirement for a timber
management plan requires a second public hearing; the threshold for requiring a timber
management plan; whether the Council will no longer have to approve these designations;
better communication between the Assessor's Office and the State Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), and; whether a five -acre parcel with a house would qualify.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Buchanan stated this is scheduled for public hearing this evening.
Crawford withdrew the motion.
The following staff answered questions:
• Royce Buckingham, Prosecutor's Office
• Dana Brown - Davis, County Council Office
OTHER BUSINESS
(10: 32: 47 AM)
Natural Resources Committee, 10/14/2014, Page 2
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Crawford referenced the lack of single family construction in Sudden Valley and
stated he asked the Executive to direct staff to look at historic trends of single family
residential construction. The no -net increase in phosphorous runoff requirement was
passed with the understanding that new single family residential construction was possible,
but it is not happening. He would like to have a committee discussion on the implication of
the regulation, making it a workable plan, and to invite community members to comment.
The Committee discussed other potential causes, expanding the discussion to the
entire watershed, and whether a recent board meeting in Sudden Valley addressed this
issue.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 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, 10/14/2014, Page 3