HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning November 26 20131
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
November 26, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Bill Knutzen called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(3:34:45 PM)
Present: Ken Mann, Bill Knutzen and Barbara Brenner.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Carl Weimer and Pete Kremen.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (AB2013 -396)
Knutzen stated a property owner wanted to transfer one of his property rights from
his property in the watershed to his other property outside the watershed, and it seemed
like a win -win opportunity. He would like to know if staff can suggest ways to develop a
functional method for such a transaction.
Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report
and answered questions regarding the density transfer chapter of the County Code.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether they can add properties heavily
downzoned retroactively, so people can hope to get part of their value restored.
Tyler Schroeder, Planning and Development Services Department, answered
questions.
Mann asked and there was discussion of when the County must get cooperation from
the cities on requiring transfers of development rights (TDRs) when doing an upzone to
realize increased potential density units.
Kremen stated and there was discussion of the City's ability to provide viable
receiving areas.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of whether they would have to docket by the
end of the year any Code amendment to make this work and whether the County can force
cities to be a part of a TDR program if they want to expand their urban growth boundaries.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether there is an option to create
receiving areas on reserve tracts.
Planning and Development Committee, 11/26/2013, 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
Linda Twitchell, Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, spoke on the
policy statements from the City of Bellingham about its population projections.
Knutzen stated he hopes there is more flexibility in the program to accommodate
scenarios that benefit everyone.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL (ACTING AS THE
WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS) REGARDING REPRESENTATION ON THE WRIA 1 PLANNING
UNIT (AB2013 -401) (4:02:03 PM)
Brenner gave a report and stated this item was brought forward by Roger Brown,
who represents the water districts on the Planning Unit. It's a good idea to include
representation of the local Flood Control Zone District on the Planning Unit.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether this is to add another person to
the Planning Unit that is a member of the Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) Board of
Supervisors.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether a resolution would be to include a
FCZD supervisor on the Planning Unit or about Planning Unit representation overall.
Weimer stated he supports documentation from groups to show who they represent.
He stated and there was discussion of the County's existing administrative representative on
the Planning Unit representing policy that the Council sets.
Roger Brown, Birch Bay Water and Sewer District General Manager, spoke about
allowing the Flood Control Zone District, a separate government and the source of most
watershed planning funding, to have a seat at the Planning Unit.
Ellen Baker, Water District Caucus Member, spoke on the role of the Planning Unit.
Skip Richards, Non - Government Water Systems Caucus Member, spoke about
authority of the Joint Board and the Planning Unit.
Patrick Alesse stated money for the water resources inventory area (WRIA)
university study was misspent. Keep the elected officials involved.
Knutzen stated this is a discussion item at this evening's Council meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Planning and Development Committee, 11/26/2013, Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:24 p.m.
ATTEST:
, Council Clerk
- Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Bill Knutzen, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 11/26/2013, Page 3