HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole September 14 20101
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee Of The Whole
September 14, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. in the Council
Conference Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford,
Ward Nelson and Carl Weimer
Absent: None
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken Mann, L.
1. DISCUSSION WITH SENIOR DEPUTY PROSECUTOR KAREN FRAKES
REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION (AB2010 -018)
Crawford stated that discussion of agenda item one may take place in executive
session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i). Executive session will conclude no later than 11
a.m. If the meeting extends beyond the stated conclusion time, he will step out of the
meeting to make a public announcement.
Knutzen moved to go into executive session until no later than 11:00 a.m. to
discuss the agenda item, pursuant to RCW citations as announced by the Council Chair.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen, Mann, Nelson and Weimer (7)
Nays: None (0)
(Clerk's Note: The Committee came out of executive session and resumed the
meeting in the County Council Chambers at 10 :10 a.m.)
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING A DRAFT ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM
COUNTY ZONING CODE TITLE 20, THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING
MAP, AND THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND MAPS, TO
IMPLEMENT CHANGES RELATING TO RURAL LAND USE PLANNING (AB2010-
072A) (10 :13: 07 AM)
Committee of the Whole, 9/14/2010, Page 1
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Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted handouts
and submitted and read from a presentation (on file). He described specific citizen requests
for certain areas at Maple Falls, Chuckanut Drive, Hinotes Corner, Smith Road and Guide
Meridian, and Birch Bay - Lynden Road and Interstate 5.
Discussion included whether the one -acre zoning at Fort Bellingham is due to being
in the limited area of more intense rural development (LAMIRD); the spacing requirements
for Type III LAMIRDs; whether the density overlay applies to the two -acre zoning; if the
residential density areas are not in a LAMIRD because they don't qualify; the status of Pole
Road Water Association in 1990; ten -acre zoning in a LAMIRD in the Glacier area, and; next
steps. (10:51:28 AM)
Brenner stated she would like a discussion on the limit on rural industrial and rural
general commercial zones. If someone has existing businesses, don't limit their expansion
capability. Just don't let them expand beyond their lot boundaries. Businesses are being
told they can't expand on their own lot. Davis stated that restriction is due to not
expanding a business beyond the size, scale, and use that existed in 1990.
Knutzen stated he would like a list of the building used for the criteria. There may
have been some larger buildings, such as the cement plant, that existed prior to 1990 that
would justify increasing that number.
Brenner stated they aren't allowed to count farm buildings because they are
considered agriculture, but they are part of the character of the area. That is a hit against
resource -based industries. They must consider size and character of an area, not just
zoning.
Kershner referenced the Birch Bay - Lynden Road area. She asked if the eastern part
could be included in the Type III LAMIRD. Davis stated there was not an operational
business there in 2005, when the County was found out of compliance. Bringing a Type III
LAMIRD across the freeway and a vacant parcel is problematic.
Kershner asked if the criteria used belongs to the County or the Growth Management
Act (GMA). Davis stated that is County criteria. The GMA doesn't have criteria for when
businesses existed.
Crawford stated continue this discussion with interested parties, advocates, and
landowners in two weeks. The goal would be give staff direction to introduce an ordinance
in October.
Knutzen asked if changes have to go back to the Planning Commission.
Crawford stated they don't. It is a separate issue.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Committee of the Whole, 9/14/2010, Page 2
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:02 a.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
Committee of the Whole, 9/14/2010, Page 3