HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning December 17 1996I WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Planning and Development Committee
3
4 December 17, 1996
7 The meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. by Committee Chair Alvin Starkenburg in the
8 Council Committee Room, 311 Grand.
9
10 Also Present: Absent:
11 Marlene Dawson None
12 Kathy Sutter
13
14 REVIEW OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN,
15 DESIGN/INTRODUCTION (AB96 -051)
16
17 Staff Also Present:
18 Michael Knapp, Planning and Development Services
19 Elizabeth Sjostrom, Planning and Development Services
20 Ward Nelson, Council member
21 Tom Brown, Council member
22
23 Starkenburg noted Chapter 10, Design, will be discussed first, stating that it is a non-
'4 mandated section. Discussions had previously been held regarding this chapter. He proposed
25 committee consider having staff write into a few areas the economic part design can plan in the
26 County. Regarding the goals and policies, he requested committee consider the compatibility of
27 these goals with the economics of the County, holding the policies until later in 1997 when there
28 would be sufficient time to address them, as they are very broad and require much time to review.
29 Michael Knapp, Planning and Development Services, concurred with Starkenburg, noting that
30 design assists the tourism aspect of the County.
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32 Knapp then addressed Sutter's concern of Goal 10E -3 (page 10 -8) regarding historical
33 and archeological attributes. He thought this could be deleted for now but then changed his mind
34 after discussion with Starkenburg. Nelson wondered how there could be a design with policies
35 when the entire Comp Plan has not been completed, so he also concurred with Starkenburg.
36 Elizabeth Sjostrom, Planning and Development Services, spoke to Sutter's above concern, stating
37 this policy is required by the Growth Management Act (GMA). Brown said this is the most
38 controversial chapter and that people find this an intrusion into their private life. He thought the
39 entire design chapter should be deleted; anything which needs to be in the Plan should be placed in
40 other sections. Dawson concurred.
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42 Dawson stated her opinion was to set this section aside. Knapp commented, stating that
43 his staff is attempting to make Findings for the tourism communities. If the design chapter is
Planning Minutes, 12/17/96, Page 1
I refocused, it can help support those Findings. Nelson agreed with Knapp, stating "you don't toss
2 the baby out with the bath water ". The policies are the implementation of those goals, he stated.
3 He urged committee ensure there is a design section. Sutter wondered about the action plan of
4 this chapter. Knapp said it should be revisited next year. Sjostrom stated this is a very valuable
5 chapter and needs more time for work. Brown worried about the "skeleton coming back to haunt
6 us ". Knapp clarified the Plan can be amended within any given year after it has been adopted.
7
8 Starkenburg asked for a straw vote of committee requesting staff to rewrite this chapter
9 focused on the economic aspect and streamlining the development regulations. Staff would
10 examine the goals and refocus those necessary and report back to committee. Other than the
11 basics, the action plan would be set aside. All committee members agreed.
12
13 Starkenburg then turned committee's attention to the introduction chapter, which he
14 referred to as an important one because it is an "umbrella" for the remaining chapters. Nelson
15 requested clarification of "four land use alternatives ", page 1 -1, last paragraph. Staff was
16 instructed to make language changes. Starkenburg requested staff add language regarding the
17 recent Planning and Development Committee meetings that have taken place (page 1 -2, GMA
18 Goals). A brief discussion followed on the population growth charts (pages 1 -3 and 1 -4). Staff
19 will update the figures, as well as the chart (blank) on page 1 -5. Starkenburg inquired of the
20 Lummi population figures; staff continues work on this. Sutter pointed out (page 1 -4) that there
21 is a balance between urban and rural populations of approximately 47% over the past 16 years.
22 Gibson noted that from a legal standpoint, care must be taken, as one of the points of growth
23 management is to avoid urban sprawl. One of the side effects of this is to have higher
'4 concentrations of people within the cities. The more people in rural areas, the greater difficulty in
25 justifying the size of urban growth boundaries.
26
27 Starkenburg requested staff work on adding language addressing cultural resources
28 regarding ag and forestry, WWU, the proximity to the Canadian border, etc., to the
29 Demographics paragraph on page 1 -6. Nelson pointed out that growth management ignores our
30 County -wide cultural diversity. Sutter requested figures regarding the seasonal Canadian
31 residents, who have a significant impact.
32
33 Sutter requested staff delete the last sentence, first paragraph of Land Use History,
34 page 1 -7. She also requested wording be deleted on page 1 -8, first paragraph, last sentence:
35 "...the average farm size in Whatcom County is relatively sm about 86 acres--compared
36 statewide average of 468 acres". Discussion followed.
37
38 Starkenburg instructed staff work tourism in the Current Land Use section (page 1 -8). On
39 Table 4, page 1 -9, he stated "vacant and mining" should be separate items. Sutter suggested staff
40 insert percentages in order to be more graphic. Brown commented on non - federal lands, as did
41 Gibson, regarding figures. Nelson inquired of Knapp how other counties determine their forestry
42 lands. The uniqueness of Whatcom County was noted.
43
Planning Minutes, 12/17/96, Page 2
I Starkenburg requested staff provide a definition of "vacant lands" (page 1 -9), as well as
2 "ag usage ". Dawson suggested adding language (last sentence, page 1 -10) regarding the dairy
3 buy out being a limiting factor for certain agricultural properties. Starkenburg requested staff
4 change language on page 1 -10, last paragraph: "Future land use patterns in Whatcom County will
......:...................
5 likely be drivenz�e� to a large degree... ". Sutter was concerned about the maps needing to
6 be referred to (Future Land Use).
7
8 Starkenburg noted in Water Resources, page 1 -11, fourth paragraph, the issue is more
9 how the water is harnessed and how it is used rather than having an abundance of water, which
10 the County already has. Nelson commented about the water section, page 1 -11, and requested
11 the first sentence of the second paragraph be deleted or rewritten. Staff will rewrite the sentence.
12
13 On page 1 -12, Economics, Starkenburg suggested staff rewrite the fourth paragraph to
14 include raspberry growers, etc., to strengthen that paragraph. Sutter wanted to see some
15 discussion regarding new technology development, new farming methods and the viability of small
16 acreage farming. She pointed out that on page 1 -12, the third paragraph, the Fourth Corner
17 Economic Development Group is now referred to as the Bellingham- Whatcom Economic
18 Development Council.
19
20 On page 1 -13, third paragraph, Starkenburg suggested staff refer to the ports and docks to
21 expand this paragraph. Sutter pointed out that the second paragraph, page 1 -13, needs work
22 regarding language in order to establish clarity. Staff will be given her suggestions after
23 Starkenburg and Dawson have read them.
N4
25 Sutter noted the County's number one export is its educated work force and was
26 undecided where this should be placed. Discussion followed. The goal would be to retain those
27 educated workers to benefit this County, which would also add to the family values.
28
29 Starkenburg asked on Maps 1 and 2 if other colors could be used (maps are done in
30 shades of red, which are difficult to distinguish). Starkenburg was concerned about the accuracy
31 of Map 3. He was concerned about how the dots on Map 4 were determined and asked if there
32 was another way to accomplish the objective of the map and yet maintain clarity. On map 6,
33 Starkenburg requested a definition of "vacant land ". Knapp suggested the discrepancies should
34 either be pulled or corrected, to which the committee agreed. Sutter pointed out the
35 inconsistency between Maps 7 (single family residential) and 8 (multi - family residential). Map 9 is
36 consistent with Maps 1 and 2 regarding colors.
37
38 Sjostrom gave a report on the County -wide Planning Policies. Starkenburg requested she
39 communicate with each committee member to move this item forward for a recommendation
40 regarding the Oversight Committee. He acknowledged there is a difference between the cities and
41 County's perspective of their work.
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Planning Minutes, 12/17/96, Page 3
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ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
E ' abeth Bend t, Transcriptionist
ATTEST:
and rown- Davis, Counci Cler
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Alvin Starkenburg, Council Me er
Planning Minutes, 12/17/96, Page 4