HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning March 28 19951 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Planning & Development Committee
3
4 The meeting was opened at 3 p.m. by Committee Chair Ward Nelson in the
5 Committee Room of the Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
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7 Also Present: Absent:
8 Marlene Dawson None
9 Larry Harris
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11 COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
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13 1. ORDINANCE CONVERTING ACCESSORY DWELLINGS FROM
14 CONDITIONAL USES TO ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL USES,
15 MODIFYING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LAKE WHATCOM AND
16 LUMMI ISLAND, CREATING AN ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL
17 SECTION FOR THE RESORT - COMMERCIAL ZONE, AND
18 MODIFYING THE REQUIREMENTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE
19 APPROVALS (AB95 -098) (FROM 3/14)
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21 Nate Brown, Planning Department, provided a handout regarding various
22 Washington State counties' ordinances relating to the square footage of accessory
23 dwellings. Discussion ensued. Permanent vs. temporary housing, building codes for
24 mobile homes and rental issues were also discussed.
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26 Others speaking included:
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28 Barbara Brenner, Council Member
29 Ken Henderson, Council Member
30 Gail Pattenaude
31 Renee Troutner
32 Debbie Kingsly, P.U.D.
33 Bill Florea, Planning Department
34 Bob Wiesen
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36 Dawson moved any mobile homes placed on a property are not to exceed ten (10)
37 years of age.
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39 (Clerk's Note. No vote was taken on the motion.)
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41 There was discussion on the subject of neighbor approval /objection to the
42 addition of an accessory housing unit (administrative approval). Brown pointed out that
43 if the Council wishes to alter the language so this process would continue to be
44 conditional use, the Administrative has authority, under limited circumstances, to
Planning Minutes, 3/28/95, Page 1
1 approve, which would change the nature of the process. Then, if there is an appeal,
2 based on the appropriateness of the land use, the appeal would go to the Hearing
3 Examiner. Bill Florea, Planning, suggested the Committee keep the administrative
4 approval process simple and objective, and if there are neighborhood concerns, word the
5 final document so the appeal is based on the conditional use criteria.
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7 Nelson moved to delete the current R5A zoning language regarding the Lake
8 Whatcom Watershed and insert: ... "A development of parcel with a primary residence an
9 accessory apartment or detached accessory dwelling may only occur on lots of five (5)
10 acres or larger minus any right of way, easements or restrictions and that adjacent
11 properties in the same ownership may be bound by covenants to comply with the acreage
12 requirement." (Pg 4, Section 11A)
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14 Motion carried unanimously.
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16 Nelson moved for the Planning Department to work on language addressing
17 conditional use vs. administrative appeal and whether or not there will be legal problems
18 involved. He requested the Planning Department bring their information forward to the
19 next Committee meeting.
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21 (Clerk's Note: No vote was taken on the motion, as this was a specific request.)
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23 Harris moved for an accessory dwelling to be a single storied building.
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25 Motion failed 1 - 2 with Harris in favor.
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27 Harris moved for an accessory dwelling's occupant to be an identifiable family
28 member.
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30 Motion failed 1 - 2 with Harris in favor.
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32 Harris moved for an accessory dwelling not to be a rental.
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34 Motion failed 1 - 2 with Harris in favor.
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36 Nelson moved to hold this item in Committee until April 11. Planning
37 Department is to give the Committee the appropriate requested language.
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39 Motion carried unanimously.
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41 2. REFERRAL OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE (REMOVING LOT
42 CONSOLIDATION REQUIREMENTS FROM TITLE 20) TO THE
43 PLANNING COMMISSION AND PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
44 SERVICES DEPARTMENT (AB94 -516A) (FROM 1/24)
Planning Minutes, 3/28/95, Page 2
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Nate Brown, Planning Department, spoke.
This item was tabled until the first meeting in July 1995.
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON WHATCOM COUNTY'S
PROPOSED APPLICATION FOR A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PLANNING ONLY GRANT (AB95 -172)
Speakers included:
Shirley Van Zanten, Executive
Karen Madsen, Opportunity Council
Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Nate Brown, Planning Department
Harris moved to recommend for approval of the block grant.
Motion failed 1 -2 with Harris in favor.
Harris and Dawson agreed to work together drafting proposed language on a
resolution to begin action on this matter.
This item was held in Committee until April 11.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dawson brought up the subject of land disturbance. She requested the definition
of land clearing, which is still being drafted by the Planning Department.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana r - 's; cil Clerk I War'd' Nelson, Cou it Member
Planning Minutes, 3/28/95, Page 3