HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning July 18 1995WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning & Development Committee
July 18, 1995
The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m. by Committee Chair Ward Nelson in
the Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present:
Marlene Dawson
Larry Harris
Absent:
None
COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PUBLIC BENEFIT RATING
SYSTEM REMOVING OPEN SPACE /TIMBER FROM PLANNING
COMMISSION EVALUATION AND ADDING A NEW
CLASSIFICATION, FARM AND AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION
(AB95 -308)
Jeff Griffin, Planning Services, explained this issue. The state law was amended
in 1993 and removed open space /timber from Planning Commission evaluation. This is
not subject to the public benefit rating system. Open space /timber now goes directly
before the County Council. The new classification is an alternative to owners of what
used to be a farm or could potentially be a farm to receive a current use tax assessment,
allowing the owners to retain the property in open space until the land is later farmed.
This is, however, mostly for small parcels. After approval of the amended ordinance,
this proposal would then be in compliance with state law.
Those also speaking included:
Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Bob Woods, Council Budget /Program Analyst
Anthony Robb, Bellingham
Skip Richards, Bellingham
Alvin Starkenburg, Council Member
Nate Brown, Planning & Development Services
Harris moved to recommend for approval.
Motion carried 2 -1 with Dawson opposed.
Harris moved to delete on page 94, line 14: "Agriculture
in the... ".
Planning Minutes, 7/18/95, Page 1
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Motion to amend carried unanimously..
Harris moved to recommend amended main motion for approval.
Motion carried 2 -1 with Dawson opposed.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING
TITLE 20, THE OFFICIAL
ORDINANCE (AB95 -309)
LAND CLEARING REGULATIONS IN
WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING
Bob Andersen, citizen, distributed. a handout regarding public hearings. He was
particularly concerned about the stormwater issue.
Nate Brown, Planning & Development Services, reiterated the fact that the
development standards are basically a policy and procedure manual for the benefit of the
Council. The Technical Review Committee was established to ensure consistency in
implementing the ordinances adopted by the Council and developed by the Planning &
Development Services. Brown further stated that the Planning Commission reviews the
legislative process; the Technical Advisory Committee reviews the administrative process.
Those speaking included:
23 Anthony Robb, Bellingham
4 Skip Richards, Bellingham
L5 Valerie Smith, Bellingham
26 Bob Woods, Council Budget /Program Analyst
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28 Terry Galvin, Planning Services, commented about land use and stormwater
29 management.
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31 Nelson moved to recommend for a public hearing.
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33 Motion carried unanimously.
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35 OTHER BUSINESS
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37 Dawson inquired of the status of lot consolidation with the Planning Commission:
38 She wanted to know if it could be bumped up in their scheduling.
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ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
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17 Dana town- Davis, Council rk
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
el
Ward Nelson, Coun 1 Member
Planning Minutes, 7/18/95, Page 3