HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning September 27 20051
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
DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
September 27, 2005
Committee Chair Seth Fleetwood called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Barbara Brenner None
Dan McShane
Also Present:
None
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. APPROVAL OF REQUEST FROM JOHN COX, JONES ENGINEERS, FOR
EXTENSION OF THE PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL OF GOVERNOR
ROAD PHASE II (AB2005 -363)
John Cox, Jones Engineers, stated his request is for a long subdivision
extension.
Brenner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Cox stated one condition of approval of the subdivision was monitoring of the
regional retention facility they were to use for the entire upper Governor Road area.
From the time of the original plat of Wildflower, they started monitoring. Data has
all been collected and submitted to the County. The County approved the regional
detention facility for the plat, so now they can move forward with the final design.
As a condition of approval for this next division, the County will also require
monitoring. About a year ago, the City of Bellingham came up with issues with the
water revenue on Governor's Road. They couldn't serve the entire plat with the
existing water regime in place as it is now. The City will put a bond in place this
December, when they can build a reservoir. Then he'll be able to build the entire
plat in one phase.
McShane asked the reason for the delay in doing the sampling. Cox stated
he had to prove that the water quality in the detention facility would not be
inundated and effect vegetation in the wetland area. Monitoring could not take
place until there was full build out on another subdivision, which was done two
years ago. From then, he started monitoring the pond to make sure there were no
negative impacts to the wetlands or the facility. From then to now, they have
collected data and shown that the detention, water quality, and wetlands will not be
Planning and Development Committee, 9/27/2005, 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
47
DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
affected by the plat. The model shows that the detention works. Now, they're
ready to move forward with using the pond for Governor Road II at its detention
facility.
McShane asked how the drainage works. Cox stated it heads to Lake Padden
ultimately. There is an outfall from the detention pond that releases at pre -
development rates to the natural drainage facilities that are in place. There is a
drainage facility where the pond was. A tributary runs out of the pond and down
toward Lake Padden.
McShane stated there is another development up there. It's stormwater
facility drains under Yew Street Road. Cox stated that is the South Hills area. That
is a different route. His drainage flows directly south of the pond where it exists
today.
McShane stated there is a valley on the southwest part of the proposed
development. Cox stated that is correct. It is west of the South Hills development
and directly south of Wildflower. Wildflower is totally built out. The South Hills
development has its own detention and water quality facility built within the South
Hills development. His facility was built for the upper Governor Road areas, which
are the Wildflower, Governor Road I, Governor Road II, and another development.
Fleetwood asked if it is outside the city limits and inside the urban growth
area. Cox stated it is.
(Clerk's Note: Discussion continued below.)
2. ORDINANCE TO AMEND A PORTION OF THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM
COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 20.97 — DEFINITIONS AND
20.40.250 — MINIMUM LOT SIZE AND LAND SUBDIVISION (AB2005-
360)
Kraig Olason, Senior Planner, stated the amendment based on a request by
the Land Use Division staff. There was some confusion about the term "farmstead
cluster." This section of the code is an the agricultural zone. It allows for the
segregation of the existing house off of the farm. Sometimes there is a question of
whether the house and buildings should go together or whether the buildings
should go with the farm. Staff doesn't have guidance to determine what should go
or stay. The amendment defines the farmstead parcel and the farmstead home
site. In section 20.40.250, they looked at guidelines for determining whether or
not the buildings should go with the farm. Section 20.40 tries to minimize the
amount of acreage going off the farm.
Brenner asked if this is a scrub. Olason stated it is an embellished scrub.
Brenner stated there is an instance where people are trying to build a
building to sell produce. She asked if that is not allowed with the home site. If it is
Planning and Development Committee, 9/27/2005, Page 2
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
47
DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
allowed with the home site, the people would be eligible for 5,000 gallons of water
per day. They just want a bathroom in the building. Olason stated that if in the
agricultural zone, he would have to look at the specific situation. He doesn't know
if this would preclude that use.
Brenner asked if it would be allowed if the building were close enough to the
house to be part of the homestead. Olason stated they're trying to get at older
buildings that are dilapidated, antiquated, and of no use to the farm. Then the
building can stay with the home. If the property isn't in the agricultural zone, this
wouldn't apply. This only applies to Section 20.40. This provision is only for a
substandard lot creation for the purpose of getting rid of the house.
Brenner asked if they can use the 5,000 gallon exemption for a house, rather
than have to be under the agricultural provisions if they are in a rural zone. Olason
stated he'd have to look at the specifics.
Brenner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
1. APPROVAL OF REQUEST FROM JOHN COX, JONES ENGINEERS, FOR
EXTENSION OF THE PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL OF GOVERNOR
ROAD PHASE II (AB2005 -363)
(Clerk's Note: Discussion continued from above.)
McShane stated he appreciates the timeliness of the request. He approves of
the request.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:14 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Planning and Development Committee, 9/27/2005, Page 3
1
2
3
DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk Seth Fleetwood, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 9/27/2005, Page 4