HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning January 10 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
January 10, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Member Bill Knutzen called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (3:03:03 PM)
Present: Ken Mann, Bill Knutzen and Barbara Brenner.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Sam Crawford and Carl Weimer.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING TWO RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF
PARTICIPATION IN THE VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM CONSISTENT
WITH RCW 36.70A.710 (AS AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO CRITICAL
AREAS PROTECTION FOR AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES) (AB2011 -279C)
Peter Gill, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report and
presented the two resolution options in the Council packet.
The following staff answered questions:
• Royce Buckingham, Prosecutor's Office
Knutzen stated and there was discussion of the potential for the State to fund the
program.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of:
• Who approves the plan if the County opts in.
• Whether the plan comes before the Council at any point in the process.
• Whether opting in ensures that the County won't be sued or challenged.
• Whether the current critical areas ordinance (CAO) provides opportunity for
the same thing as the program.
• What standards the County would have to meet in ten years.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether they can amend the resolution so the plan comes to the County
Council for final decision, before it's forwarded to State agencies.
• Brenner asked if someone can sue the County at any time on related issues.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether the promised $100,000 or $150,000 from the State would cover
County costs.
The following people spoke:
• Ellen Baker stated that if opting in, farm plans will no longer be required. She
asked if the staff prepared an opt out resolution. There is no benefit to the
citizens of Whatcom County.
Planning and Development Committee, 1/10/2012, Page 1
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• Wendy Harris stated this won't be successful without funding. Focus on the
environmental improvement that will result. This program isn't good for the
County to enter into. It will delay watershed improvements.
• Roger Almskaar submitted and read from a handout (on file). Do not opt into
this program. Council attorneys should review whether or not anyone can
challenge the rules. After a few years, the funding becomes available.
• Skip Richards stated he submitted information to the Council earlier. The
Farm Bureau comments have been misleading and their meetings have been
exclusive. Don't opt in. If the County chooses to opt in, designate the same
area as is designated for water resource inventory area (WRIA) 1.
Mann asked and there was discussion of how much staff time and money has been
spent on this decision.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of how the language in the Revised Code of
Washington (RCW) would indemnify the County from legal action.
The following person also spoke:
• Wes Kentch stated the program makes promises that the State can't keep.
He is opposed to the program. Comments that agriculture has done
environmental damage from fecal coliform is misinformation.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of why the Farm Bureau advocates for the
program.
Knutzen stated and there was discussion of:
• The local Farm Bureau hiring a local attorney.
• The local advisory group having the power in the situation.
The following people also spoke:
• Sarah (inaudible) stated she is opposed to the program because it's not free.
Don't give control of the County away to the State.
• Ellen Baker spoke again and stated the legislature can change the rules at
any time.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of when the County can opt out of the
program.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING CODE TO ALLOW
ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE (AB2011 -431)
Brenner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the battery life of a vehicle.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of adding language about disposal of and
recycling old batteries.
(4:07:59 PM)
Planning and Development Committee, 1/10/2012, Page 2
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Davis continued the staff report about the three levels of charging stations.
Mann asked and there was discussion of
• Whether the definition of "electric vehicle charging station" in 20.97.113
establishes where it's allowed.
• Why the definition addresses where the use is allowed.
• Why a charging station is an accessory to food markets with gasoline pump
islands in the urban residential, mixed use (UR -MX) zone.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of the length of time it takes to charge a
vehicle, which takes much longer than it does to fill a gas tank.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Knutzen and Brenner (3)
Nays: None (0)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL —
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
MAP AND WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING MAP TO REMOVE A MINERAL
RESOURCE LANDS (MRL) ZONING OVERLAY FROM THE EXISTING RURAL
(11110) ZONE AND CHANGE THE MRL DESIGNATION TO RURAL FOR
APPROXIMATELY 90 ACRES ON ALDRICH ROAD (AB2011 -435)
(Clerk's Note: This item was withdrawn from the agenda.)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:19 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 &o.w hatcom .wa.us
Planning and Development Committee, 1/10/2012, Page 3