HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources April 24 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
April 24, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (9:32:43 AM)
Present: Carl Weimer, Bill Knutzen and Sam Crawford.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner and Kathy Kershner.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR TO APPLY FOR PDR EASEMENT PURCHASE
MATCH FUNDING TO THE WASHINGTON STATE RECREATION
CONSERVATION OFFICE, WASHINGTON WILDLIFE AND RECREATION
PROGRAM - FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM (AB2012 -157)
- and -
2. RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE PDR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE RANKING AND
AUTHORIZING WHATCOM COUNTY PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENTS RIGHT
ADMINISTRATOR AND WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO PROCEED WITH
THE ACQUISITION PROCESS FOR PDR APPLICATIONS (AB2012 -159)
Samya Lutz, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file) and gave a staff report.
Brenner asked the difference between an easement and a purchase. Lutz stated the
terms in this case are used interchangeably. She continued the presentation and described
the subject properties.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of why they would purchase only one
development right in an agricultural area.
Lutz continued the presentation to describe the subject properties.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether the County is outreaching to
property owners in the best areas.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether these three applications were the only ones received this year.
• The total number of scoring points possible.
• Whether the PDR Oversight Committee expressed the same concerns about
waiting for properties in the target areas.
Natural Resources Committee, 4/24/2012, Page 1
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Lutz continued the presentation about the PDR appraisal process.
Brenner stated she would like to know the assessed value of the properties as
assessed by the County Assessor.
Lutz concluded the presentation on the matching funds for the grant application.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of whether strings are attached to the grant
funds that require the County or property owners to use the easement for some kind of park
or habitat conservation land.
Weimer asked the next step in the process.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether the legislature could change how
they manage the conservation easements.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether the Council can vote on each
application individually.
Crawford moved to recommend that the Council approve the first resolution, the
resolution authorizing the Purchase of Development Rights Program Administrator to apply
for PDR easement purchase match funding to the Washington State Recreation Conservation
Office, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program - Farmland Protection Program (AB2012-
157).
Knutzen asked why this has come forward at the last minute, with the deadline only
a week away.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Knutzen and Crawford (3)
Nays: None (0)
Crawford asked and there was discussion about the Hubbard property details and
whether any of the property was ever forested and whether they plan to use conservation
futures fund monies. He questions the program, but they're using the conservation futures
fund, which the public voted to approve for this use. He has concerns about the Hubbard
property.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether the development regulations dictate where a house would have to be
located on the Hubbard property.
• Whether the Holz property is on prime soils.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of the addressing policies that drive the
scoring rather than not approving one of the applications. He prefers to have that policy
discussion.
Brenner stated identify all the property with prime agricultural land in rural, one unit
per five acres (R5A) zoning and that haven't been developed. Outreach to those parcels.
Knutzen stated most of these properties will continue to be used for agriculture.
Target development areas that have potential for converting from agricultural land.
Natural Resources Committee, 4/24/2012, Page 2
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Weimer asked and there was discussion of past attempts to dedicate a portion of the
conservation futures fund specifically for agricultural land.
Crawford moved to recommend that the Council approve the resolution affirming
the PDR Oversight Committee ranking and authorizing Whatcom County Purchase of
Developments Right Administrator and Whatcom County Executive to proceed with the
acquisition process for PDR applications (AB2012 -159).
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer and Crawford (2)
Nays: None (0)
Abstain: Knutzen (1)
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated he met with the PDR Oversight Committee,
and they discussed dedicating funds for agricultural lands from the conservation futures
fund. They will continue exploring that option as they move into the budget process.
Crawford stated he would like a policy discussion on the point system and their
priorities.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:16 a.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�.o.w hatcom .wa.us
Natural Resources Committee, 4/24/2012, Page 3