HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning August 7 2007WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
August 7, 2007
Committee Chair Seth Fleetwood called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present:
Dan McShane
Absent:
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Also Present:
Sam Crawford
Carl Weimer,`
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE -ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE UR ZONING DISTRICT
RELATING TO ESTABLISHING AN URBAN RESIDENTIAL 6 UNITS /ACRE
DISTRICT AND REQUIRING MINIMUM DENSITIES IN THE UR4 AND UR6
DISTRICTS (AB2007 -316)
Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report and
stated this is to establish an urban residential, six units per acre (UR -6) density
classification and minimum required net densities for UR -4 and UR -6 zones. Minimum net
densities help the County ensure that designated densities in the Comprehensive Plan and
Growth Management Act (GMA) are met in the urban growth areas (UGA's). The UR -4
density wasn't challenged or found in non - compliance, but it's helpful to County staff to
ensure that minimum urban density is met in the UGA's.
Crawford stated he has no problem with this. He suggests adding language that
says that if an existing parcel in these zones is completely surrounded by other parcels with
no access, it is exempted from these requirements. Minimum densities should apply, of
course. This is fine for new plats. For existing land locked parcels, a minimum density
standard, when the goal of the property owner is to increase density, doesn't work well for
someone who needs that exception. It's probably a situation that doesn't come up often.
Let this go forward concurrent with the other items, but be aware it may be an issue.
McShane stated the intent for Lake Padden and Lake Whatcom was to create new
zones for those areas. Davis stated that's correct. They shouldn't be affected. They don't
know what form those areas will take just yet.
Fleetwood asked if this is just for Ferndale and Lynden. Davis stated it is not. The
report cites the Comprehensive Plan's goal densities for the Ferndale and Lynden UGA's.
Now, there isn't a UR -6 zoning classification that could deal with those goals and assure that
those goals are met. This applies to all urban growth areas.
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
Planning and Development Committee, 8/712007, Page 1
1 OTHER BUSINESS
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3 There was no other Business.
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6 ADJOURN
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8 T meet' adjourned at 3:18 p.m.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Planning and Development Committee, 8/7/2007, Page 2