HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole March 27 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee Of The Whole
March 27, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Kathy Kershner called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (3:04:01 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken Mann, Pete Kremen
and Carl Weimer
Absent: Sam Crawford
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE
20.14, WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS (AB2011 -223A)
Wain Harrison, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report.
The following people answered questions:
• Erik Weden, Weden Morris Wind Engineering
• Ken Kok, Electrical Engineer
• Brian Gentry, Puget Sound Energy
• Pinky Vargas, Puget Sound Energy
• Alex Cleanthus, Planning and Development Services Department
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether Mr. Weden thinks Whatcom
County is an appropriate place for large scale wind farms and about concerns from the
residents of other counties in which Mr. Weden worked on large scale wind energy system
ordinances.
Kremen asked and there was discussion of whether Mr. Weden worked on ordinances
for other counties generically or in response to specific proposals and how far away the
Nevada wind farms were from urban areas.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the setbacks in the ordinances from other
counties.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of low frequency noise impacts.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of how other counties handle visual
impacts.
Kremen asked and there was discussion of the number of turbines necessary to
make a commercial farm financially viable.
Special Committee of the Whole, 3/27/2012, Page 1
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Mann asked and there was discussion on whether any residents who have signed a
lease have returned with regrets and decided they don't want it due to impacts.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion about the likelihood and source of stray
voltage.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the County has any pending WES
permit applications.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of green energy.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of the Agricultural Advisory Committee's
recommendations.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the Planning Commission recommendation
that wind turbines be allowed in agricultural areas.
Kremen asked and there was discussion about the Agricultural Advisory Committee's
recommendation regarding areas that don't pertain to agriculture.
Kershner moved to remove the agricultural zone as allowable zone, in the 51
kilowatt (kW) or greater category. She stated and there was discussion of whether they can
preserve agricultural land given the concrete base of the wind energy system.
Kremen asked and there was discussion of the footprint or amount of concrete
proposed by the pending application.
Kershner withdrew her motion.
Kershner moved to prohibit wind energy systems (WES) the size of 51 kW or
greater in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kremen, Brenner, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (5)
Nays: Weimer (1)
Absent: Crawford (1)
Brenner moved to amend 20.14.052, to change the setback to 2,000 for WES in
the 51 kW or greater category.
(Clerk's Note: Councilmember Weimer left the meeting at 4:27 p.m.)
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kremen, Brenner, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (5)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford and Weimer (2)
Mann moved to amend the kilowatt category, which should be greater than 50
kilowatts, not 51 kilowatts or greater, throughout the ordinance.
Special Committee of the Whole, 3/27/2012, Page 2
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kremen, Brenner, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (5)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford and Weimer (2)
Mann moved to amend subsection .053(1), "The total height of a WES shall not
exceed 500 feet, . MET Towers
cannot exceed...." He asked and there was discussion of the staff's intent for this language
and allowable heights.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kremen, Brenner, Mann and Kershner (4)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Knutzen (out of the room), Crawford and Weimer (3)
Brenner stated and there was discussion of having the Planning Commission review
the recommendations from the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
Kershner moved to approve the first proposed change recommended by the
Agricultural Advisory Committee, "20.14.051(5), "Electrical controls, control wiring and
power lines shall be wireless or underground a minimum of forty -eight (48) inches (four
feet)."
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kremen, Brenner, Mann and Kershner (4)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Knutzen (out of the room), Crawford and Weimer (3)
Brenner stated and there was discussion of whether there are hazardous materials
left over on the system and foundation.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether foundations within 50 feet of a
building are allowed to remain.
Kremen asked and there was discussion about depth of wiring during installation.
He moved to amend the previous motion, the first proposed change recommended by the
Agricultural Advisory committee, "20.14.051(5), "Electrical controls, control wiring and
power lines shall be wireless or underground a minimum of forty -eight (48) inches (four
feet)" so the 48 inches applies only to the agricultural zone.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kremen, Brenner, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (5)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford and Weimer (2)
Mann moved to approve the Agricultural Advisory Committee recommendation
three, with one amendment, "...foundations left in place must be located...."
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kremen, Brenner, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (5)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford and Weimer (2)
Special Committee of the Whole, 3/27/2012, Page 3
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today.
Harrison stated the ordinance as amended will come forward for introduction.
Mann moved to recommend introduction and public hearing as it is presented
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kremen, Brenner, Mann and Kershner (4)
Nays: Knutzen (1)
Absent: Crawford and Weimer (2)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on April 24, 2012.
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
Special Committee of the Whole, 3/27/2012, Page 4