HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning April 22 20141
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
April 22, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(3:03:20 PM)
Present: Ken Mann, Barbara Brenner and Rud Browne.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Carl Weimer, Pete Kremen, Sam Crawford and Barry Buchanan.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION OF THE 2014 COUNTY -WIDE POPULATION GROWTH
MONITORING REPORT (AB2014 -097A)
Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report
regarding different estimate methodology for population and the estimates on Council
packet page 250.
Browne asked and there was discussion of listing Cherry Point as a separate area.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the Bellingham urban growth area
(UGA) only is in Table 3 or whether that table also includes the city and the reason for the
large deficits from overestimating growth in certain areas. The County must learn what
makes it more attractive to build in the unincorporated area and less attractive in the cities.
Brenner referenced Table 4. She asked and there was discussion of proposed
increases for certain areas beyond their capacity.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated it's interesting that they only achieved 60
percent of the growth anticipated. If Bellingham and the cities didn't accept any growth,
the county growth would have been 100 percent. Be careful with the statistics they choose.
The cities must accept their portion of the growth. Whatcom County has done well with its
population growth in the last five years.
2. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM
COUNTY CODE TO ALLOW PACKINGHOUSES AND SLAUGHTERHOUSES IN
THE AGRICULTURE ZONING DISTRICT AS ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL
USES (AB2014 -060B) (3:16:35 PM)
Joshua Fleischmann, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff
report and described the most recent changes.
Mann referenced Council packet page 261 and stated item 20.40.139(7) is confusing.
He asked and there was discussion of whether the Department of Ecology would only grant
Planning and Development Committee, 4/22/2014, Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
a permit if there is adequate storage. Delete that reference to adequate storage. Staff
should restructure the language to just list the different permits. He suggests "Where
required, the following permits from the State Department of Ecology: 1. State waste
discharge permit, 2. Industrial stormwater permit, and /or 3. NPDES permit.
Brenner referenced the second paragraph in Finding 12 on Council packet page 257
and stated add, "slaughtering services and value -added services" throughout the ordinance,
including Findings 13 and 17. They are talking about processing in addition to slaughter.
She referenced Finding 26 on Council packet page 6 and stated add language, "...a
lack of local slaughter and processing capacity...."
plural.
Mann stated make sure the Findings are consistent with slaughtering and packing.
Brenner referenced the two conclusions and make sure both are either singular or
Crawford stated make both plural, "amendments."
Mann referenced sections 20.80.255(3) and (4). He asked and there was discussion
of whether it's necessary to have slaughterhouse setbacks from schools. Include language
on slaughterhouses, not just packinghouses.
Mann moved to recommend approval with the following changes:
1. Amend section 20.40.139(7) to remove the words "adequate storage" and
"where required" and restructure the paragraph so its meaning is clearer.
2. Amend Findings 12, 13, and 17, "slaughtering services and value -added
services."
3. Amend Finding 26, "a lack of local slaughter and processing capacity."
4. Amend Conclusion 2, "subjee-t proposed amendments."
5. Amend section 20.80.255 to include a reference to slaughterhouses, not just
packinghouses, throughout the paragraph and subsections.
Browne referenced Council packet page 261. He stated and there was discussion of
amending item (4) to change the amount allowed from three to ten. It would better -
accommodate the number of cows that are slaughtered each year.
Mann accepted a friendly amendment to amend Council packet page 261,
section 20.40.139(4) to change the amount allowed from three to five.
Brenner stated and there was discussion that the definition for poultry should not
include rabbits.
Kremen referenced and there was discussion of the change from allowing three to
five and stated there are differences between packinghouses and slaughtering houses.
Mann amended the friendly amendment he accepted to limit the cumulative
number to nor more than 3 packinghouses and no more than 3 slaughterhouses.
Mann restated his motion to recommend approval with the following changes:
1. Amend section 20.40.139(7) to remove the words "adequate storage" and
"where required" and restructure the paragraph so its meaning is clearer.
Planning and Development Committee, 4/22/2014, Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
2. Amend Findings 12, 13, and 17, "slaughtering services and value -added
services."
3. Amend Finding 26, °a lack of local slaughter and processing capacity."
4. Amend Conclusion 2, "subjeet proposed amendments."
5. Amend section 20.80.255 to include a reference to slaughterhouses, not just
packinghouses, throughout the paragraph and subsections.
6. Amend Council packet page 261, section 20.40.139(4) to change the cumulative
amount allowed, "...three packinghouses eF slaughteFheuses and no more than
three slaughterhouses...."
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the definition of slaughtering and whether
that includes processing.
Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department, answered
questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Brenner and Browne (3)
Nays: None (0)
Mann stated the substitute ordinance that staff will prepare will be introduced at this
evening's Council meeting.
Browne asked for both a clean version and a version with the amendments.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY CODE REGARDING CORNER
LOT AND THROUGH LOT BUILDING SETBACKS (AB2014 -146) (3:48:45 PM)
Nick Smith, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file) and gave a staff report.
Browne asked and there was discussion of the logic for having bigger setbacks on
major roads.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of how the proposed language affects site
distances.
Browne asked and there was discussion of vegetation that may block site distances.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of whether a rear yard setback of 17 and a
half feet is more than enough and of adding exceptions or allowing sheds if there is a
culvert.
Browne asked and there was discussion of whether staff considered the possibility of
having to widen the major roads or road right -of -way in the future.
Crawford referenced the proposed amendment to 20.80.210(i). He asked and there
was discussion of whether it means the built structure.
Mann asked and there was discussion of public comment received during the
Planning Commission.
Planning and Development Committee, 4/22/2014, Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
Crawford referenced the Harborview plat. He asked and there was discussion of
whether someone could bring in a recreational vehicle off of Harborview Road to store in the
backyard.
Browne asked and there was discussion of whether this would facilitate the
construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Brenner and Browne (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN
(AB2014 -168) (4 :12:57 PM)
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report
and stated the County is updating the plan. The Planning Commission recommended
approval. He described the draft plan levels and changes from last year's plan as shown in
the staff report on Council packet page 280.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether there is a process for removing
older docket items that no one is pursuing.
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Brenner and Browne (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:18 p.m.
ATTEST:
, Council Clerk
-, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Ken Mann, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 4/22/2014, Page 4