HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources February 8 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
February 8, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (9:31:51 AM)
Present: Carl Weimer, Bill Knutzen and Sam Crawford.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE LIGHT TABLE DESIGN
COLLECTIVE'S PLANNING AND DESIGN EFFORTS FOR THE PROPOSED
SOUTH FORK PARK (AB2011 -061)
Chris Hatch, South Fork Heritage Association, stated the South Fork Heritage
Association engaged the Light Table Design Collective to plan and host community
workshops about the proposed County park. Community design builds a partnership with
the community. The designs and decisions will remain sustainable over time. He described
the process used by the Light Table Design Collective. He submitted the final report from
the Light Table Design Collective (on file). He also submitted and read from a presentation
(on file). The community hopes the report conveys the fact that the community wants to be
part of the effort. The community believes additional work on the design process needs to
be done. The report synthesizes many of the community issues and focuses additional
discussion.
Discussion with Chris Hatch included how this report came up with a different design
process from the Parks Department process and design; a description of the report's design
suggestions for wildlife and habitat management, trails and circulation, entrances and
parking, and recreation, heritage, and education programming; whether the Nesset
property has access without property from the State Department of Natural Resources
(DNR); whether DNR has been a part of this design process; protecting timber production in
the area; whether participants in the process are opposed to the current Parks Department
planned access point, and why; whether the Parks Department proposal includes a parking
access at Hutchinson Creek; potential negative consequences of the various proposed
parking areas; working with the community to come up with a favorable proposal; how
proposed parking areas will be used; (10:05:30 AM) providing equestrian access; including
horsemen in the report process; whether there are existing trails from Hutchison Creek to
Natural Resources Committee, 2/8/2011, Page 1
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the Overby property; whether the Hutchison Creek campground is currently used, and;
whether data from community questionnaires used earlier in the process were used in this
design process.
(10:16:56 AM)
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Rand Jack, Whatcom Land Trust, stated the community representation at
these community meetings was limited. The Light Table Design Collective has
no experience with park planning. The Parks Department proposal was not
provided to the public at the community meetings. Mr. Hatch is speaking for
a small part of the community, not the entire community. There is a
difference between not hearing community comments and not agreeing with
community comments. Use the Nesset Farm to recreate the Norwegian and
Scandinavian immigrant pioneer experience. (10 :22 :54 AM) Use the Galbraith
Farm, which will continue to be farmed. The Nesset family bequeathed
property to the Land Trust to teach people about nature and the pioneer
experience.
• John Lamont, resident, stated the first meeting with the South Fork Heritage
Association included 209 people, which is a lot of people. He told the
Planning Commission that there was no access from the south.
• Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director, (10:32 :52 AM)
stated this isn't the South Fork Heritage Association plan. Ownership of the
Hutchinson Creek campground area is an issue, and the Light Table Design
Collective representatives should be here. The DNR has legitimate concerns
about opening that up to the public. The Parks Department has twice asked
for reconveyance and easements. DNR has not been responsive. He
described the efforts made to contact DNR and acquire the property. The Elk
use isn't an issue. The herd is doing well, but is also causing problems in the
valley. Elk are very adaptable, and won't be affected. The Light Table Design
Collective didn't look at County codes. They've tried to minimize impacts
from parking areas. This is a low impact park. Maintaining heritage aspects
are very important. Recreation facilities are limited. If Hutchison Creek
campground were County property, they would not locate parking there
because of the problems with illegal activity. The overall design of the trails
is consistent between the two plans. The Parks plan is a community plan that
has been developed over 20 years.
Discussion included the history of the Hutchison Creek campground; whether the
Council was told that there was public access when the County purchased the Nesset Farm;
potential access points from the south; preventing vandalism at the Mosquito Lake Road
proposed parking lot; the trust status of the Galbraith Farm property and Overby Farm
property; the possibility of selling the park properties; compromise between the Parks
Department and community; the lack of an historic structure on the Galbraith Farm
property; community meeting attendance; the best way to present this report to the
Council, and; working collaboratively.
(Clerk's Note: Committee Chair Weimer left the meeting at 10:43 a.m.
Councilmember Knutzen assumed the duties of the Chair.)
Natural Resources Committee, 2/8/2011, Page 2
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OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:49 a.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�omhatcomma.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 2/8/2011, Page 3