HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning May 5 1998I WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Planning and Development Committee
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4 May 5, 1998
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6 The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Committee Chair Kathy Sutter in the
7 Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington
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9 Also Present: Absent:
10 Barbara Brenner None
11 Ward Nelson
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13 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
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15 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING MAP
16 FROM RURAL FIVE ACRES (R5A) TO URBAN RESIDENTIAL FOUR UNITS PER
17 ACRE (UR4) FOR APPROXIMATELY 412 ACRES IN THE BIRCH BAY - BLAINE
18 SUBAREA (AB98 -175)
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20 Sutter stated that this is a Comprehensive Plan update. The property is in the Blaine
21 Urban Growth Area (UGA) and is also in the short-term planning area. There was preliminary
22 plat approval granted in 1997 for 124 residential lots. It is served by Birch Bay Water and
23 Sewer. There are some small wetlands delineated that would be adequately protected by the
24 Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).
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26 There was discussion regarding the problems between the City of Blaine and the Birch
27 Bay Water and Sewer District, and water and sewer service for the area.
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29 Nelson moved to recommend approval.
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31 Sherilyn Wells, 1020 Geneva, Bellingham, questioned what provisions have been made
32 to encourage in -fill within the UGA. She discussed the premise of the Growth Management Act.
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34 Brenner stated that it is a short -term planning area.
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36 There was discussion regarding the in -fill, short-term boundaries, wetlands and approval
37 of the project, back up water sources, and Birch Bay Water & Sewer District policies.
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39 Those commenting included:
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41 Jon Sitkin, Attorney, 1616 Cornwall, Bellingham.
42 Sharon Deming, 1026 North Forest, Bellingham.
43 Deb Lambert, 3277 North Shore Road, Bellingham, Water District #10 Commissioner.
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45 Knapp clarified that his department does not make the decisions, the Planning
46 Commission does. This is a Planning Commission recommendation.
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Sue Blake, County Water Resources, commented about water supply in this area. Several
agencies and jurisdictions are working together in the area.
Goodwin stated there is adequate water supply for Blaine's UGA for the next 20 years.
The question is can they get water rights to all of that water and do they have enough water to
serve the rest of Birch Bay that is not in the City's UGA.
Nelson stated that if there is not adequate water, a development couldn't be built. The
County is operating under the context of the law.
Sitkin stated that this development received a letter from Birch Bay Water & Sewer
saying they will serve water. Blaine is supportive of the underlying development proposal.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING MAP
FROM RURAL FIVE ACRES (R5A) TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (NC)
FOR APPROXIMATELY 1. 18 ACRES OF A 6.18 ACRE PARCEL IN THE LYNDEN-
NOOKSACK VALLEY SUBAREA (AB98 -176)
Sutter gave background information on this item.
Mark Anderson, property owner, commented regarding his situation.
Sylvia Goodwin, Planning and Development Services Manager, commented regarding
commercial development in the floodplain ordinance.
Brenner moved to recommend approval.
There was discussion on the motion regarding the neighborhood commercial zoning
designation.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. RESOLUTION INITIATING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS (AB98 -171)
Sutter stated that item #12 will not go before the Planning Commission. There was a
request to add an item regarding the Lummi Island rock quarry.
The committee discussion including the rock quarry item, Council Member Hoag's
paperwork, the Mineral Resource Land (MRL) designation meeting criteria,
Brenner moved to approve adding the Lummi Island rock quarry to the docket.
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Motion carried unanimously.
Brenner moved to recommend approval of the resolution.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE RE- INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
IMPOSING INTERIM ZONING REGULATIONS IN THE LAKE WHATCOM
WATERSHED (AB98 -181)
Sylvia Goodwin, Planning and Development Services Manager, addressed her handout
(on file). There are six alternatives for Lake Whatcom land use and development regulations.
She stated the Land Use Commission recommended a combination of items 2, 3 and 5. The
Planning Commission will review this at its Thursday meeting.
Topics of discussion included zoning; elimination of household pesticides and toxic
chemicals; and demonstration of vesting.
Sue Blake, Planning and Development Services Water Resources Planner, commented
regarding working with individual situations.
Sherilyn Wells, 1020 Geneva, noted that vesting is limited to five years and believed a
temporary moratorium was appropriate.
Council Member Marlene Dawson commented regarding item #5. Knapp clarified this is
for the continuation of final development regulations.
Nelson had questions regarding the necessity of this issue. Blake responded that the
interim moratorium would give more time for further information to be gathered.
Sharon Deming, 1026 North Forest, commented about public input and community
resources. They should plan now for the future.
Council Member Tom Brown commented and had questions regarding definitions of
"large animals ".
Hoag questioned large animals within 1,000 feet, which she thought was a lot of footage.
Goodwin replied that Best Management Practices (BMP) would have to be done.
Wells pointed out that #5 does not comply with the Growth Management Hearings Board
(GMHB).
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Deb Lambert, Water District #10 Commissioner, also commented regarding the water
quality of basin two.
Dawson spoke of a newspaper article.
Marion Biddell, 36 Seeley, Bellingham, spoke about stormwater.
Nelson was concerned about various water quality issues, Water District #10, and City
densities in the Lake Whatcom Watershed.
Brenner commented on #5 regarding it being against the law. Knapp responded
regarding reviewing the GMHB's decision.
Skip Richards, citizen, commented on a moratorium and the logic of restriction of future
development.
Roy Inham, citizen, commented regarding future development exacerbating restrictions
placed in the area.
Deming commented regarding citizen input.
Wells commented about development standards.
Knapp responded to the issue of the history of the Seattle watershed mentioned earlier in
the discussion.
Hoag commented about balance in developments in the Watershed.
Biddell commented about technical terms, a moratorium, and the responsibility of elected
officials.
Brenner questioned proof of need.
Sutter stated the Planning Commission will receive a copy of Goodwin's handout, as well
as Skip Richard's handout (on file).
Knapp invited all present to the Thursday meeting at 4:00 p.m. of the Planning
Commission and Land Use Study Commission in the Hearing Examiner's Room.
2. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WHATCOM COUNTY, AND WATER DISTRICT 10
CONCERNING JOINT MANAGEMENT OF LAKE WHATCOM (AB98 -195)
Sue Blake, Planning and Development Services Water Resources Planner, commented
about funding.
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Louise Bjornson, Bellingham City Council, commented.
Nelson had concerns about funding regarding the date of the Spring Joint meeting.
The Joint Council meeting will be May 28, 1998. Blake stated that comments were
welcome.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:45 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Records Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kathy Sutter, Committee Member
Planning & Development Services, 5/5/98, Page 5