HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning November 12 20021
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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
November 12, 2002
The meeting was called to order at 2:30 p.m. by Committee Chair Dan
McShane in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington,
Present: Absent:
Seth Fleetwood None
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Also Present:
Sharon Roy
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER OF THE
WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (AB2002 -084R)
Caskey- Schreiber stated the proposal to widen Hannegan Road to Smith
Road leaves a problem at the East Pole and Hannegan intersection. It is a four -
way stop that backs up for miles. There was a recent accident at that intersection.
Make sure turn lanes are installed at Hannegan and the stoplight system is
updated.
Matt Aamot, Senior Planner, stated there is discussion with the State but no
timeframe on that project.
Mike Donahue, Engineering Manager - Traffic, stated he has been working
with the State. Hannegan Road has a higher volume than East Pole Road.
Fleetwood stated the Comprehensive Plan lays out general goals and
policies. The Transportation Chapter makes reference to specific road
improvements. He asked why that is. Aamot stated they wanted to identify major
projects that the County anticipates to do land use planning in conjunction with
transportation projects. Staff can remove the references to the number of lanes,
which may be more realistic.
McShane asked about the status of developing an impact and /or mitigation
fee ordinance. Donahue stated they are working on it. They are capable of doing
it in the 12 -month timeframe.
funds.
McShane asked if there would be an analysis of what that means to road
Planning and Development Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 1
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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.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated this language is already in the
Comprehensive Plan. The change is only to put a timeframe on it. The revenue
impact depends on what the Council adopts.
Caskey- Schreiber moved to recommend approval of the Transportation
Chapter to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RECREATION AND DESIGN CHAPTERS
OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (AB2002 -084U)
Matt Aamot, Senior Planner, stated they worked with the Parks Department
and Bike /Pedestrian Advisory Committee. He read the proposed changes and
rationale for each change.
The Planning Commission did not approve including the Bike /Pedestrian
Advisory Committee recommendations into the chapter. Some of the items were
put into the Transportation Chapter.
McShane asked if all the trails were added into the Transportation Chapter.
Aamot stated they were.
McShane moved to amend the Recreation Chapter Action Plan to include
those park facility and trail action plans that were in the original staff
recommendation to the Planning Commission: Galbreath /Lookout Mountain,
Stewart Mountain, Nooksack River Trail, Coast Millennium Trail, Blue Canyon
extension of the North Shore Trail, and Bay to Baker Trail.
Motion carried unanimously.
Fleetwood asked the original reason for including neighborhood parks in the
language. Aamot stated it makes sense to have neighborhood parks. The change
was a statement of the Parks Department as a provider of regional facilities, not
neighborhood parks.
Roger DeSpain, Parks and Recreation Department Director, stated one
element in the Comprehensive Plan is to do a neighborhood park. However, they
are finding that developers expect the Parks Department to develop parks in their
developments. The Parks Department is more of a regional parks developer. The
County doesn't have funding to develop neighborhood parks in private
developments.
Aamot asked if the City of Bellingham plans for neighborhood parks in the
urban growth area.
Planning and Development Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 2
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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.
DeSpain stated it does not. Now, he is looking at giving away the parks in
those areas. The cities, as they annex areas, are responsible for taking over park
services.
Fleetwood moved to schedule a public hearing on the ordinance as
amended.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ECONOMICS CHAPTER OF THE
WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (AB2002 -084S)
Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated the County started a
process a year ago with the Port of Bellingham and Partnership for Sustainable
Economy to produce the Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS),
which they did. As this project closed, they realized that the Economic
Development chapter is out of date. It referenced an old plan that the CEDS
replaced. The specific projects need to be in the Comprehensive Plan as well as in
the CEDS.
The Executive requests that they have a public hearing to add two policies
that have been added to the document in the Council packet. Staff concurs with
the request.
(Clerk's Note: The Committee took a one - minute break at 3:08 p.m.)
Nancy Jordan, NGJ Associates Consultant, stated this was a brief update to
this chapter along with the CEDS process.
Caskey- Schreiber questioned policy 7C -6 and asked if they are committing
financially to the EDC with this policy. Goodwin stated that is the original
language. If they are concerned about the phrase "support the EDC," then change
it to say, Investigate an east -west rail...."
Caskey- Schreiber moved to amend policy 7C -6, "support the EDC," then
change it to say "Suppert the EDC Investigate an east -west rail...."
Motion carried unanimously.
Caskey- Schreiber asked whether the language above Goal 7D has to do with
the item regarding a study they just approved. Jordan stated this is a different
project being funded by the Port to do an industrial land study.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the unemployment rate in the background
summary should reference the current unemployment rate being lower than in the
State unemployment rate in general.
Planning and Development Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 3
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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.
Roy stated Whatcom County is compared to the Puget Sound area, which
has the highest wages in the country due to the high - technology industries. It is a
comparison of apples and oranges. Jordan stated she could add language that, at
the moment, the statistic is different.
Roy suggested making a comparison of cities of a comparable size and
distance from the high - technology employee areas.
Caskey- Schreiber moved to add language that the unemployment statistic is
different at the moment and to make a comparison of cities of a comparable size
and distance from the high - technology industry in the Puget Sound area.
Motion carried unanimously.
Caskey- Schreiber questioned Policy 713-1, "Support the EDC in its efforts to
attract all types of industry to Whatcom County...." She asked if the County is
making a commitment to the EDC by saying this. She would rather attract only
environmentally compatible businesses.
Fleetwood stated attracting all types of industry conflicts with the proposed
goal to ensure sustainable development and uses of natural resources.
McShane moved to strike policy 713-1, and amend policy 713-2, "...the Port of
Bellingham, and the Convention and Visitor Bureau, the EDC, and other groups...."
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Motion carried unanimously.
Goodwin suggested adding a portion of the language from policy 713-1 to
policy 7B -2.
McShane moved to add language to policy 713-2, "Work with the Partnership
for a Sustainable Economy, Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Bellingham, the
EDC, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and other groups en eeenernie issues to
attract sustainable industry to Whatcom County and to assist expansion and
retention of local industry."
Motion carried unanimously.
Caskey- Schreiber stated they need to make the same change to policy 7C -6
on page 288, "SUPPeFt the EDG Investigate an east -west rail
line...." Jordan stated this is a copy of the other page.
The committee concurred.
Planning and Development Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 4
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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.
McShane asked if the Port of Bellingham would look at the broad
environmental issues relating to economic vitality goals in conjunction with its
inventory of the industrial and commercial land supply. He asked if the County is
concerned that land zoned industrial may never be developed because of
environmental constraints.
Steve Jilk, Port of Bellingham, stated the Port is approaching the industrial
land analysis in two phases. The first phase is to do a thorough analysis of the
properties that are zoned industrial, whether they are developed, available
infrastructure at the sites, and identify potential environmental issues. The second
phase is to take a selected number of those sites, and do a thorough analysis of
what the environmental issues are, determine whether they can be mitigated, and
determine the cost of mitigation.
McShane asked who pays for the analysis. Jilk stated the first phase is
funded partially from a portion of the grant the County received to do the
Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The Port will fund the other
portion. When they get to the second phase, the Washington State Office of Trade
and Economic Development (OTED) plans to put it in their budget for next year.
Roy asked for strong language of support for the Point Roberts, Foothills,
and Birch Bay economic development organizations that are trying to promote
tourism. There is not much reference to tourism in this chapter. Goodwin stated
Goal 7E and that section addresses tourism.
Fleetwood stated this section is about the benefit to these communities'
efforts, and the efforts to support those committees. This section is not to
promote specific industries.
Roy stated they need more and stronger support than just inviting people to
an occasional meeting. Goodwin stated staff could write a policy and bring forward
language directed at economic support for these areas.
Caskey- Schreiber stated they want to support these three areas as much as
the other areas of the county.
McShane stated they could have a separate policy that calls out tourism in
those specific areas.
Jilk stated support those areas, but don't limit the support to tourism.
Roy agreed. These areas need support and money, which usually goes to
the big areas, such as Bellingham.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she would like a goal that targets the
unincorporated areas of the County. Goodwin stated it is in goal 7K regarding
Planning and Development Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 5
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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.
geographic diversity. The staff could suggest policies that talk about the
unincorporated areas.
Roy agreed.
McShane moved to amend language in the section entitled Proximity to
Canada, on Council packet page 290, "...value of the Canadian dollar and more
recently due to the border security yes issues imposed
after terrorist activities of Septorn bee 1,�_. Between 1995 and 2001...." The
border issues change all the time.
Fleetwood stated there are historical trends that exist because of the
fluctuating Canadian dollar. They don't have to qualify it with a reference to one
specific event in the historical fluctuations.
Motion carried unanimously.
Caskey- Schreiber moved to amend language on page 294 in the section
entitled Unemployment and Underemployment to add language about the current
local unemployment rate being lower than the current state employment rate.
Motion carried unanimously.
Fleetwood asked what the term "industrial development" in Policy 7K -6
means. Jordan stated it could be anything from small, light industry up to heavy
industry. This section is about finding sustainable work jobs that offer long -term
employment. It brings more focus to that area of the county.
Goodwin stated former Councilmember Tom Brown wanted to keep the
options open to create an industrial area along the highway near Deming. That
was the purpose of this policy. That industrial area hasn't happened. Under
Growth Management, they can do an industrial land bank outside of an urban
growth area.
Caskey- Schreiber stated this is contrary to what the local citizens in that
area want. Jilk stated they could make a statement to support development as
identified in those subarea economic development strategies. Those are all
referenced in the CEDS. It makes a statement about supporting the local efforts
as long as they comply with the County.
Goodwin stated the east county subarea plan is half done and not yet
adopted.
McShane moved to amend Policy 7K -6, "Support indUStFial development
long -term employment efforts in the eastern part of the county."
Motion carried unanimously.
Planning and Development Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 6
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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.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if is necessary to mention the loss of the tax base in
the Mt. Baker School District in the section entitled Geographic Diversity. She
asked if it is still an issue. Goodwin stated it is an even bigger issue because that
area lost the timber tax money it used to have. The Mt. Baker School District
continues to be in trouble. The whole east county economic development effort
was to try and generate a tax base for the school district. She can do some
research and update that language.
Caskey- Schreiber referenced page 296, number one, and asked why they
included the EDC but not the Chamber of Commerce. She asked if they know at
what level they are going to support the EDC. It is something the Council will
figure out after the budget for 2003 discussion is over.
McShane moved to strike Action Plan item number two.
Motion carried unanimously.
Caskey- Schreiber moved to amend Action Plan item number one,
"...Sustainable Economy, the chambers of commerce, the Economic Development
Council, and other agencies...."
(Clerk's Note: The committee did not vote on this motion, but it concurred
with the motion.)
Goodwin stated there is a discrepancy between action items three and five.
She suggested language.
McShane moved to amend action item three, '...jurisdictions to implement
and upd the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies annually eF as
designated."
Motion carried unanimously.
McShane asked about action item six. The third goal is about improving
permit processing time. He asked if that is something they still need to work on.
Goodwin stated they are still doing a good job, but the Planning Commission
wanted to leave those policies in. There is always opportunity to improve
turnaround time for permitting.
Caskey- Schreiber suggested that they strike all of the recommendations of
the Jobs Based Economy Committee. Jordan stated those goals are meant as
templates for benchmarking.
Goodwin stated the Finance Committee just approved a contract today to
start working on these benchmarks.
Planning and Development Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 7
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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.
McShane moved to amend action item six regarding the recommendations
of the Jobs Based Economy Committee goals:
• Delete the reference to the Jobs Based Economy Committee in action
item six,
• Delete the item to improve turn around time on the development
permit processing,
• Delete the item to increase the percentage of "owner occupied"
dwellings in the county, and
• Amend the item to "Assess the degree to which the commitments
stated in the jebs Based Ecenerny Reselution CEDS are
implemented."
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side B.)
Motion carried unanimously.
McShane moved to amend the first X point on Council packet page 297,
"Consider Aany additional recommendations which may surface as a result of the
goals and policies adopted by the EDC and local governments, such as cities,
towns, and port authorities."
Caskey- Schreiber asked Ms. Jordan to make any changes so the EDC is not
the focus entity and so the County does not exclude other agencies.
The committee concurred with Councilmember Caskey - Schreiber's request.
Motion to amend the first X point on Council packet page 297 carried
unanimously.
McShane moved to amend action item eight, "Provide adequate levels of
cost - effective service FO_ industrial sites and etheF FesoUFce Felated ind }_;^s such
h
in all areas in the county in adopting and
updating capital facilities plans."
Motion carried unanimously.
McShane asked about the last item in action item 11. Goodwin stated at
one point it dealt with yard waste and composting. The Solid Waste Advisory
Committee docketed an amendment that dealt with composting and yard waste.
They wanted to allow composting anywhere, even in residential areas. The staff
convinced the committee to withdraw it because it wasn't well thought out. The
committee never brought the issue back.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she would like to strike that item anyway.
McShane stated there might be other issues. It doesn't commit the County
to removing all barriers to recycle product manufacturing. Goodwin stated the
Planning and Development Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 8
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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.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee still has an interest in this. As the Clean Green
station on Lakeway Avenue closes, there will be no recycling facility for yard waste.
There may also be issues about recycling paper or aluminum. Those things
weren't considered when the County developed the zoning code in the 1970's.
They do need to figure out where the appropriate place is.
Caskey- Schreiber agreed.
McShane moved to recommend scheduling a public hearing on the
Economics Chapter as amended by the committee.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dan McShane, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 9