HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole June 8 20101
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
Special Committee Of The Whole
June 8, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:45 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Ken Mann, Bill
Knutzen and Carl Weimer
Absent: L. Ward Nelson
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. RURAL ELEMENT UPDATE - DISCUSSION OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT
REQUIREMENTS AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
(AB2010 -072) (11:46:32 AM)
Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file).
Discussion included how the County shows to the Hearings Board its analysis used
for arriving at the limited areas of more intense rural development (LAMIRD) designation
and maps; whether the State allows the boundaries to be set according to the roads;
whether they have to change the LAMIRD boundaries or just better - define the reasons for
the boundaries; water lines; whether the State allows consistency in the shape of LAMIRDs;
Hearings Board decisions on allowing future growth versus growth restrictions in LAMIRDs;
leaving the Guide Meridian as it is currently zoned, and just changing the Countywide
Planning Policies and Comprehensive Plan; the change from general commercial to rural
commercial; other options for rural general commercial; whether the entire Guide Meridian
can be an urban growth area (UGA); the economic development goals of the Growth
Management Act; why the general commercial designation wouldn't work within LAMIRDs,
instead of having to use rural general commercial; why they would want to increase
setbacks between businesses; making sweeping changes in the Council's approach that will
require much staff support to justify legal challenges; properly analyzing the boundaries;
next steps, and; possibly contracting with a consultant to get some of this work done.
The following person answered questions:
• Samya Lutz, Planning and Development Services Department
Wain Harrison, Planning and Development Services Department, stated the Planning
Department can allocate time to modify the proposal for the rural element LAMIRD
ordinance. The net affect would be that other items on the long range work plan would be
affected. Also, staffing levels will need to be considered.
Davis asked for specific direction from the councilmembers.
Special Committee of the Whole, 6/8/2010, 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
Crawford stated he would like to see more consistency in rounding out the
intersections and information on water line analysis. He is okay with the rural general
commercial and rural light impact industrial zones, as long as there isn't a big negative
impact to existing business owners. Use every credible rationale they can use to achieve a
route that is least painful.
Knutzen asked if they can work through and finish some of the easier LAMIRDs.
Brenner stated she agrees with Councilmember Knutzen about getting a few of the
LAMIRDs done. Show the Council is working in good faith.
Kershner stated look at what is inside the LAMIRD boundaries and also the
downzoning proposal on the outside of the boundaries. She cannot support the downzone
proposal regarding rural, one unit per ten acres (R10A).
Weimer stated he is ready to pass the fall version, except the change regarding
R10A. They are stalling and wasting a lot of time. They are not going to get done with this
any time soon.
Brenner stated the choice is not between unlimited expansion or no expansion at all.
They can find something in between.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:33 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council &o.w hatcom .wa.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Sam Crawford, Council Chair
Special Committee of the Whole, 6/8/2010, Page 2