HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning May 7 20131
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
May 7, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Member Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(3:08:24 PM)
Present: Ken Mann and Barbara Brenner.
Absent: Bill Knutzen.
Also Present: Kathy Kershner, Carl Weimer, and Pete Kremen.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION BY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF OF THE
RECENT LEAN ACADEMY TRAINING ON PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS (AB2013-
175)
Sam Ryan, Planning and Development Services Department Director, gave a staff
report and described the Lean Kaizen training staff received for process changes.
Tyler Schroeder, Planning and Development Services Department, described the flow
chart for the current Planning Department processes and a streamlined process developed
using the Lean Kaizen training methods.
Mann asked and there was discussion of knowing at the beginning of the permitting
process what information is needed.
Kremen asked and there was discussion of how long it takes to accomplish the
natural resource assessment before the permit application.
Jack Louws, County Executive, thanked the staff for taking initiative and being
creative to improve the process. If they can make improvements in the next 90 days, he
would like to implement this effort in other areas of County government.
2. DISCUSSION OF AGRICULTURE STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION —
AGRICULTURE AREA AMENDMENTS (AB2013 -128) (3 :31 :48 PM)
Amy Keenan, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file).
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the reason for having a remainder parcel
that must be over ten acres. She asked whether farmland has a setback that allows people
to spray, compared to where a well is located.
Planning and Development Committee, 5/7/2013, Page 1
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(3:46:05 PM)
Mann asked and there was discussion of how this is related to items in the memo.
Kremen referenced the siting criteria of a residential parcel, which shall be located
close to existing roads. He asked and there was discussion of how they define what is
close.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether this is different from what was
presented on April 9.
Samya Lutz, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions.
Mann stated he's still making up his mind about agricultural parcel reconfiguration.
It was taken out of this item. In two weeks, bring forward a version that allows ag parcel
reconfiguration. Lutz asked if they want a second ordinance that runs in parallel.
Brenner stated Henry Bierlink suggested a phased approach for parcel
reconfiguration. Lutz stated there is a fear in the community that ag parcel reconfiguration
will accelerate development and discussion about allowing a few of these done per year to
see how it goes.
Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department, answered
questions. A limit would have to be done via a sunset clause in the ordinance.
Kremen stated a limit could also be achieved through a pilot program for a limited
amount of time.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of Planning Commission work on this item.
Linda Twitchell, Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, stated the
advantage would be if someone wanted to build or sell the land separately. She asked what
is the determining factor for deciding on one to three acres, and if there is any flexibility.
Keenan stated they start at one acre and build up the size from that, depending on where
things are located, including the well and septic. If there is no development, they will keep
the lot as close to one acre as possible.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether the lot can be less than an acre.
Keenan stated it would be difficult.
Kershner asked the process now on a 40 -acre agricultural process. Keenan stated
they just get a building permit. They can only subdivide the lot after the home is built. The
proposal is to allow subdividing the lot before the house is built.
Michelle Luke stated looking at the density maps will be helpful. The Planning
Commission thought some people could take advantage of it, and others would designate
the lot to allow borrowing power at the bank.
Brenner asked if the Planning Commission discussed whether the parent parcel could
be smaller. Luke stated they did not.
Planning and Development Committee, 5/7/2013, Page 2
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Wendy Harris asked the total amount of agricultural acreage that could be lost to
residential development. Lutz stated there will be no net loss of agricultural land, since the
development potential exists now. They are are not adding any new development rights.
Brenner stated she likes the idea of a pilot project for a limited time to see what
happens. She's nervous about allowing clustering.
Twitchell stated there is a cluster subdivision rule that the Right -to -Farm be on the
deed. That could apply to this.
Carole Perry stated farming practices change, and they must be flexible to allow
market changes. The issue is very confusing.
Harris stated the proposal still encourages development. It makes it easy for a
farmer to subdivide a development lot from the agricultural lot. Don't make zoning laws to
accommodate short -term financial situations. Protect ag land. Don't encourage people to
develop quicker.
Kris Halterman stated farmers may need loan money from a development parcel to
continue to farm and use their land. They must be flexible.
Lorraine Newman stated this is a simple item that just fixes zoning to work with new
banking requirements. It was removed from the more complicated parcel reconfiguration
item.
Mann stated this is a good idea because it protects farming operations while allowing
flexibility for the development, which will happen anyway. He's unsure about
reconfiguration. He asked if they want staff to bring forward reconfiguration.
Kershner asked about development limitations with reconfiguration. Lutz stated six
total are allowed. Any additional development rights would be lost. Parcel reconfiguration
must be related to an agricultural purpose, such as committing to reduce density.
Kershner stated reconfiguration could reduce density. Look at ag parcel
reconfiguration in addition to today's amendments.
Brenner stated she is okay with today's amendments, but has mixed feelings about
reconfiguration. Deal with them separately.
Kremen stated he is more inclined to support today's amendments, but is willing to
revisit reconfiguration.
Mann stated he is in favor of today's amendments and is open to discussing parcel
reconfiguration. He asked if they can do those separately. Have today's amendments in a
public hearing in two weeks. Have the ag parcel reconfiguration with options and potential
sunset in committee in the future.
Kremen stated and there was discussion of scheduling today's amendments and ag
parcel reconfiguration all at one public hearing or separately. Take time to add a sunset
date or establish a pilot program.
Planning and Development Committee, 5/7/2013, Page 3
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Mann stated bring ag parcel reconfiguration back in two weeks. Hold in committee.
The three amendments today are good. Talk more about reconfiguration, and the
committee may request a sunset.
The Committee concurred.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN
FOR WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT
REGULATION AMENDMENTS (AB2013 -177) (4:47:56 PM)
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report.
The proposed changes from last year's plan aren't great, but include amendments the
Council docketed in Resolution 2013 -007, and deleted the amendments that have gone
through the review process.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the water resources inventory area
(WRIA) 1 Joint Management Team.
Mann moved to recommend approval of the plan to the full Council.
Brenner suggested a friendly amendment to add the Planning Unit to Table 2.1
on Council packet page 173.
Mann accepted the friendly amendment.
Kris Halterman stated the Planning Unit is more public than the WRIA 1 Management
Team.
Wendy Harris stated the rezone for slaughterhouses should be higher than a level
one. It needs more public process. Also, it's important to have a County comprehensive
conservation plan and a citizen advisory group to work on wildlife management. Identify
high conservation areas to not allow fill of high conservation wetlands in order to recreate
wetlands elsewhere that has a lower conservation value.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of creating a conservation advisory
committee and changing the public participation level of the proposed slaughterhouse
ordinance. She suggested a friendly amendment that the slaughterhouse ordinance be
a level 2 project.
Mann did not accept the friendly amendment. It's already been moved to the
Council, and he's not interested in starting over with the Planning Commission.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Brenner (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Knutzen (1)
Brenner stated consider creating a County conservation management advisory
committee.
Planning and Development Committee, 5/7/2013, Page 4
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OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�omhatcomma.us
Planning and Development Committee, 5/7/2013, Page 5