HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning March 17 2009WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
March 17, 2009
Committee Chair Laurie Caskey- Schreiber called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Bob Kelly None
Carl Weimer
Also Present:
Seth Fleetwood
Barbara Brenner
Sam Crawford
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. DIRECTION ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION THAT
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY STATUS AS A UGA BE REMOVED AND THAT IT BE
CONSIDERED AS A LAMIRD (AB2009 -131)
Roland Middleton, Public Works Department, gave a staff report. Executive Kremen
asked him to remind the councilmembers to remember the time and effort put into the plan
by the community members.
The following people spoke in favor of the Columbia Valley Urban Growth Area (UGA)
Subarea Plan:
• Richard Banel, 8525 Juniper Place, submitted a handout of today's speakers
(on file).
• Sandy Mackie, Perkins Coie attorney.
• Jack Hovenier, 2740 E. 56 Vista, Bellingham.
• Rebecca Boonstra, Mt. Baker Foothills Community Development Association.
• Heather Wolf, land use attorney.
• Norma Otto, 8519 Bluebell Court, Foothills Subarea Plan Advisory Committee
Columbia Valley UGA Representative.
• Rabel Burdge, Whatcom County Planning Commission Member.
The following people spoke in favor of approving the Whatcom County Planning
Commission recommendation and creating a limited area of more intense rural development
(LAMIRD).
• Jan Eskola, 8895 Glacier Court, Glacier, submitted and read from a handout
and petition (on file).
• Lori Nelson - Clonts, 7770 Ambridge Road, Maple Falls.
• Leta Koon, 6186 Silver Spruce Way, Maple Falls.
• Karen Reich, Foothills resident.
• Susan Morgan, Peaceful Valley Drive, Kendall.
• Amy Mower, Silver Lake Road, Maple Falls.
• Dave Pros, 1466 Roy Road, Whatcom County Planning Commission.
Planning and Development Committee, 3/17/2009, Page 1
1 . Brady Webb, 7464 Olsen Drive, Glacier.
2
3 The following people spoke in general.
4
5 . Bob Wiesen, 3314 Douglas Road, Ferndale, stated a LAMIRD will continue
6 existing problems. The average citizen doesn't understand or get involved in
7 the process. Have a vote of the citizens.
8 • Gary Galing, Maple Falls, stated the process has become a platform for pitting
9 one group against another.
10 . Ellen Baker, 9945 Mt. Baker Highway, stated more people in Columbia Valley
11 than she thought prefer less growth over continuing the UGA and becoming a
12 city. Also, business development hasn't happened while the UGA has existed.
13
14 Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report on
15 the location of Columbia Valley in Whatcom County, the three alternatives, and aerial
16 photos depicting the area before and after 1990.
17
18 David Stalheim, Planning and Development Services Director, submitted a handout
19 (on file) and gave a staff report regarding LAMIRDs.
20
21 Discussion included forcing more growth into rural areas with the LAMIRD option; the
22 County requirement for a capital facilities plan for the Columbia Valley; whether the public
23 can challenge the adequacy of capital facilities plans; the population projection if the area
24 stays a UGA, and; the process to amend the Comprehensive Plan for protections to ensure
25 the UGA doesn't grow.
26
27 Weimer moved uphold the Planning Commission recommendation.
28
29 Motion carried 2 -1 with Caskey- Schreiber opposed.
30
31
32 OTHER BUSINESS
33
34 There was no other business.
35
36
37 ADJOURN
38
39 The meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m.
41
42
43 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
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52 Dan& Brown ,®� j� • ratil `$rk Laurie Caskey- chreiber, Committee Chair
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