HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works June 3 20031
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
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
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
June 3, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 1:35 p.m. by Committee Chair Barbara
Brenner in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
L. Ward Nelson Sam Crawford
Also Present:
Dan McShane
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING PARKING SITE ALTERNATIVES AT THE
ISLAND STORE ON LUMMI ISLAND (AB2003 -179)
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, submitted a report on the Lummi Island
ferry (on file). Following the recommendation to develop the County -owned parcel,
they are still hoping to develop parking at or adjacent to the Islander store. There
is a letter from Malcolm Hutchings regarding that option. The County is in
negotiations with the owner of the Islander store. They are looking at alternatives.
He can't disclose too much information without the owner's permission. He thought
he would have information for this committee by now. The contact with the
storeowner has been positive. It's likely they will put together a proposal. The
most likely next direction is getting a detailed cost estimate for both sites. He's not
confident that the site next to the store will be less expensive to develop.
A question was raised about the property to the west of the store. He did
not make contact with that property owner. He tried to ascertain whether the
County could have legal access through the neighboring properties to get to the
ferry. That access is in question. He abandoned that option and focuses on the
other two properties.
Malcolm Hutchings, 2115 S. Nugent Road, Lummi Island, asked if the Public
Works Department has addressed the items in his letter. On one side of the
Islander store, it is heavily contaminated. To the north, the land is very wet. It
floods in the winter.
Monsen stated he couldn't say they've addressed those issues. There are
issues regarding parts of that property that will make it cost at least as much to
develop as the cost of the County's property.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 6/3/2003, 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
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.
Hutchings asked the length of the lease. If it is not a substantial length, they
could be back in this situation in a number of years. Don't enter into a lease for a
short length of time.
Monsen stated he agreed.
Brenner stated she would have another committee meeting on this when Mr.
Monsen lets her know that there is more definitive information.
Monsen stated his next step is to bring any viable proposals to the
Committee of the Whole in executive session.
Hutchings stated he is surprised that the Public Works Department found
that the area around the library was less viable than the other alternatives. The
library could benefit from developing that property as a parking lot.
Brenner stated she heard people talk about the store location being the
preference at the meeting she attended. Hutchings stated the library would provide
better access to the ferry.
Dennis Matheson, 2183 South Nugent Road, Lummi Island, stated he lives
near the County's property and owns the property to the west of the store. It
would be much safer and more aesthetic to use the property behind the store. It's
closer than the County property. The neighbors around the County property are
concerned about a well going dry if the property is drained and covered over. The
recharge will not function anymore. The parking lot on the County property is less
than 15 feet from the bedroom of one house. The lights from the property will flash
through his house. He asked how he would be protected from noise, pollution, and
his well drying up.
Monsen stated the purpose of the permitting process is to gather those
issues and to mitigate appropriately. Until the County decides on the site to use
and applies for the permit, he can't resolve those issues.
Brenner stated there would be a level of mitigation required for either site.
They will deal with lighting, noise, and water quality impacts. Monsen agreed.
Either site will require a conditional use permit, which provides for a public
comment period.
Matheson stated it's not known for sure if the property around the store is
contaminated. There is a risk for it, but it's not been tested.
Monsen stated he knows about the history of the site and potential
contamination. He's not confirming whether or not there is contamination. He
knows it is an issue.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 6/3/2003, 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
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.
Craig Smith, 2522 Taft Drive, Lummi Island, stated that right now, they are
getting into the busy time of year. That parking lot overflows every morning.
Whatever they do, do it soon.
Brenner asked when the administration would have something more
concrete, and if the work could be done this year. Monsen stated that even if they
know which site they want to develop, the chance is remote that they can do
anything this year.
Robert Embry, 2158 South Nugent, Lummi Island, stated it was not ever
mentioned that the access at the library would be through the library or taking
away from the library access. It would be alongside the library.
Monsen stated staff looked at property along the frontage and other areas at
the library, and found issues with each. There are legal issues with the Granger
property because it is in trust.
OTHER BUSINESS
Bill Lee, 2171 Tuttle Lane, Lummi Island, spoke regarding the discussion
regarding signage at the Lummi Island ferry docks (AB2003 -213) and
stated that at the previous committee meeting, they talked about the speed limit
issue. There is something that is an indicator of broad island sentiment. A land
use survey was done a while back. He submitted that information (on file).
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 6/3/2003, Page 3