HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning January 15 20131
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
January 15, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Member Bill Knutzen called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(3:02:38 PM)
Present: Bill Knutzen and Barbara Brenner.
Absent: Ken Mann.
Also Present: Carl Weimer, Pete Kremen and Kathy Kershner.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TO ALLOW
AGRICULTURAL SLAUGHTERING FACILITIES IN THE AGRICULTURE ZONING
DISTRICT (AB2012 -300)
Mark Personious, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff
report and referenced the memo in the Council packet beginning on page 134. He
answered questions.
Joshua Fleischman, Planning and Development Services Department, described the
information in the memo and answered questions.
(Clerk's Note: Discussion continued later in the meeting.)
OTHER BUSINESS
ANNUAL REORGANIZATION OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL (AB2013 -021)
Brenner nominated Knutzen for Committee Chair.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Knutzen and Brenner (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TO ALLOW
AGRICULTURAL SLAUGHTERING FACILITIES IN THE AGRICULTURE ZONING
DISTRICT (AB2012 -300)
(Clerk's Note: Discussion continued from earlier in the meeting.)
Brenner asked and there was discussion of an average square footage of example
facilities listed in the staff memo and a 10,000 square foot limit as a permitted use, whether
Planning and Development Committee, 1/15/2013, Page 1
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a digester could be used as a waste disposal method, not addressing poultry barns in this
slaughterhouse ordinance, and limiting the footprint size only.
Knutzen moved to recommend approval of Exhibit A to the full Council.
Brenner moved to amend Exhibit A, section 20.40.114(3) and 20.40.139(3),
"...WCC 20.97.010.2, ' , of
animals slaughtered...." There was discussion about whether or not they should keep
incidental rendering in this ordinance or put it into another ordinance.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner (1)
Nays: Knutzen (1)
Absent: Mann (1)
Brenner moved to amend section 20.40.100 to change the use from an accessory
use to a permitted use. Personious stated and there was discussion of the staff
recommendation that the use be an accessory use to be consistent with the Growth
Management Act (GMA).
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Knutzen and Brenner (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
Fleischmann stated section number 20.40.100 would change to 20.40.050, and
section number.114 would also change
Brenner moved to amend .114(3) and .139(3), "...shall emit no noxious emissions
that are deteetable different from usual and accustom farm odors, at or beyond the property
line...." There was discussion about previous language that addressed noxious odors and
the Right to Farm ordinance.
Brenner withdrew the motion. She moved to amend 20.40.050, "The facility is no
larger than 5-088 10,000 square feet."
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Knutzen and Brenner (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
Brenner moved to amend 20.40.050, "The facility is no larger than 5,000 a 10,000
square feet foot footprint."
Knutzen stated and there was discussion of a reference to footprint being contrary to
language in the Code. He is opposed to the motion.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner (1)
Nays: Knutzen (1)
Absent: Mann (1)
Planning and Development Committee, 1/15/2013, Page 2
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Brenner moved to delete the administrative approval process , "The faeolity4s
between 5,909 and 10,090 squaFe feet.'
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Knutzen and Brenner (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
Brenner asked staff to come up with language about setbacks in section 20.80.255.
She asked and there was discussion of allowing an exemption or a reduced setback to build
a facility on a small lot.
Knutzen moved to hold in committee. Councilmembers can submit changes in
writing before the committee meeting.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Knutzen and Brenner (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
The following people spoke:
• Wes Kentch, Agricultural Advisory Committee, stated the ordinance is
becoming too complicated.
• Greg Sherman stated separate cooking from rendering and look at U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations.
• Waylon Eldridge stated allow multi -story facilities and don't limit size to
10,000 square feet.
• Ellen Baker stated don't require 50 percent of the product to be from
Whatcom County because it's too difficult to administer.
• Wendy Harris stated this ordinance doesn't protect agricultural land and
should be located in industrial -zoned land. Study the supply and demand for
this facility.
• Roger Bajema stated keep agriculture local, including the packing plants.
Don't limit the size to 10,000 square feet. This facility will help agricultural
land.
• Gabriel Claycamp stated the State doesn't allow development in the rural
industrial manufacturing (RIM) zone. A study in 2007 indicated a local
demand for a slaughtering facility. Get this done.
• Jessica Elenbaas stated there is a huge demand for this facility. The existing
facilities aren't enough to keep up with demand. Language could reference
cooking instead of rendering.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION IN THE
SMITH ROAD / GUIDE MERIDIAN AREA FROM RURAL TO RURAL COMMUNITY
AND AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING MAP FROM RSA
TO RIM (AB2012 -424) (4:14:56 PM)
Brenner moved to recommend forwarding to the full Council for concurrent review.
Planning and Development Committee, 1/15/2013, Page 3
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Knutzen and Brenner (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
OTHER BUSINESS
Knutzen stated and there was discussion about using plain language in the code
scrub.
Michelle Luke, Planning Commissioner, gave a report about using plain language.
Perry Eskridge volunteered his service at no charge to facilitate this project. She
recommends the Council consider his offer.
Perry Eskridge spoke about his qualifications for and experience with writing code
and rule- making in plain language. Plain language must convey the Council's intent, survive
scrutiny at every level, and be organized effectively. It reduces costs and requires less staff
time dedicated to answering the public's questions.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the definition of plain language and how
to let someone know they aren't using plain language.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of Mr. Eskridge's offer to volunteer for this
project and the Executive's code scrub committee and whether Planning staff would find a
plain language review helpful.
Wendy Harris stated don't put an attorney on the citizen code scrub committee
because it will change the group dynamic.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether an attorney would help or
hinder the code scrub committee.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:37 p.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
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51 360 - 676 -6690 or council4o.whatcom.wa.us
Planning and Development Committee, 1/15/2013, Page 4