HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources March 17 20091
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
March 17, 2009
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Seth Fleetwood None
Bob Kelly
Also Present:
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Sam Crawford
Barbara Brenner
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE PDR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE RANKING AND
AUTHORIZING WHATCOM COUNTY PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO PROCEED WITH THE
ACQUISITION PROCESS FOR ROUND SEVEN APPLICATIONS (AB2009 -138)
Samya Lutz, Planning and Development Services, submitted a handout (on file) and
gave a staff report. The application from the Perry Family Farm has been withdrawn.
There was discussion regarding going forward with the purchases whether or not
matching funds will be available, the Executive's authorization to enter into the agreements,
and the formula used to determine development value separate from the land value.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she is in favor of going forward with the purchase of all
these properties, even if matching funds aren't available.
Crawford stated amend the program overall to include an evaluation of what it would
take to develop these properties. Lutz stated she would bring in copies of other appraisals
as examples of the depth of the detail of the appraisals.
There was discussion regarding the use of the Conservation Futures fund,
considering whether the land is buildable and the cost of development in certain areas, and
the ability to borrow money to purchase open land.
Fleetwood moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 3 -0.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION BY PUBLIC WORKS STAFF ON THE RECENTLY COMPLETED
MICROBIAL SOURCE TRACKING STUDY IN THE DRAYTON HARBOR
WATERSHED (AB2009 -157)
Natural Resources Committee, 3/17/2009, Page 1
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2 Erika Stroebel, Public Works Department, gave a staff report.
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4 The following people spoke:
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6 • Julie Hirsch, Hirsch Consulting Services, submitted and read from a
7 presentation on the Drayton Harbor and California Creek Microbial Source
8 Tracking Pilot Study (on file) and answered questions.
9 . Erika Stroebel, Public Works Department, submitted and read from the
10 beginning and end of a presentation on the Drayton Harbor Watershed:
11 Strategic Approach to Improving Water Quality (on file) and answered
12 questions.
13 . George Boggs, Whatcom Conservation District, continued to read the
14 presentation on the Drayton Harbor Watershed: Strategic Approach to
15 Improving Water Quality, regarding the broad look at agricultural sources,
16 and answered questions.
17 . Kyle Dodd, Health Department, continued to read the presentation on the
18 Drayton Harbor Watershed: Strategic Approach to Improving Water Quality,
19 regarding the broad look at septic systems, and answered questions.
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21 Discussion included the total number of sites studied on California Creek; specific
22 identified sources; the failure rate versus the maintenance - needed rate; staff and agency
23 coordination; how far bacteria can travel; incentive program and low- interest loan program,
24 and; focusing on long -term incentives, compliance, and enforcement.
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26 Kelly stated he would like a detailed presentation on compliance and enforcement.
27
28 2. PRESENTATION BY WENDY STEFFENSEN FROM RE SOURCES REGARDING
29 FINDINGS OF CITIZEN MONITORING OF STORMWATER DISCHARGES, AND
30 HOW THESE FINDINGS RELATE TO PHASE 2 NPDES PERMITS (AB2009 -158)
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32 Weimer stated this item will be held in committee for two weeks.
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34 3. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE IMPOSING AN
35 INTERIM MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF NEW APPLICATIONS FOR
36 DIVISIONS OF LAND RESULTING IN LOTS SMALLER THAN FIVE ACRES
37 WITHIN THE LAKE WHATCOM WATERSHED (AB2008 -114C)
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39 Rebecca Craven, Council Policy Analyst, gave a staff report. The work to make the
40 interim ordinance permanent is not on the Planning Department work plan. It is related to
41 some of her projects, so she is willing to put together a moratorium response, in
42 conjunction with the City of Bellingham.
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44 Weimer stated the Council must direct Ms. Craven to do the work on a moratorium
45 response ordinance.
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47 Crawford stated he would like to discuss with the Prosecutor's Office the implications
48 of the property rights group versus Sims. It has legal implications on impervious surface
49 restrictions and tree retention restrictions in the watershed. He questions whether or not
50 the Council should adjust the County Code.
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Natural Resources Committee, 3/17/2009, Page 2
1 OTHER BUSINESS
2
3 APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY (ALTERNATE OR GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATIVE)
4 ON THE FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, APPLICANT: JIM
5 HANSON (AB2009 -136)
6
7 There was discussion regarding the alternate appointment process for the Flood
8 Control Zone District Advisory Committee and the scope and membership of the Advisory
9 Committee.
10
11 Weimer moved to recommend that the Council refer this item to committee.
12
13 Motion carried 3 -0.
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15
16 ADJOURN
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18 The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Cdr, eimer, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 3/17/2009, Page 3