HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning July 13 1993WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
July 13, 1993
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 N.
Forest St., 2nd floor by Dan Warner, Chair.
Also present:
Barbara Brenner
Absent:
Larry Harris
1. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS,
THEIR FORMAT AND PROCEDURE (AB93 -244)
Topics discussed: Format; explanation of the Ordinance; storm management
requirements; need for regulatory amendments; desire for immediate public hearing;
questions about and role of "administrator "; roles of legislature vs. executive; application
of development standards, even to Critical Areas Ordinance; review requirements for
ordinance; reflection of commitment of County through regulatory statements; technical
committee; Development Standards Committee.
Persons speaking: Nate Brown, Bldgs. & Code; Brenner; Warner; Terry Galvin,
Planning.
Mark Weinberg: Pointed out that other standards are adopted by ordinance; to
leave this up to an administrator is not conforming to procedure. He also has some
concerns about some of the contents of the Development Standards.
Bruce Boyle, 5603 Noon Rd.: Would like to give public input; there are issues of
environment, affordability, and growth. He has felt shut out before and would like to
have a forum for public input.
Art Castle, 1301 Meder: Very strongly would encourage a very open public
process particularly involving the engineers who work on projects affected by this
document.
Art Anderson, 5326 Williams Rd., Everson: Said he feels there are a lot of things
that need to be dealt with in public forum and would welcome the opportunity to come
to the table for public discussion.
Mike Jones, 1603 Elm St.: Said he is worried about the cost of the new stringent
standards. The question should be asked whether or not we should adopt the standards.
Are they really necessary? He said he saw these standards adopted in King County. Costs
have increased, but quality of buildings have not.
Harvey Pottle, 819 Lange Rd.: He, too, would like to have a public hearing.
Bruce Boyle: He recommends that no part be adopted until all the individual
parts have been worked through because they are all interrelated. He said that increasing
cost does not necessarily protect the environment, so developers and environmentalists
are not necessarily on opposite sides.
Sherilyn Wells, 1020 Geneva: Reviewed the reasons why the development
standards were originally developed and the work done by Lake Whatcom Watershed
Committee.
WARNER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL HOLD A SERIES
OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST PART OF THE
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, PAGES 1 THROUGH 8, THEN REFERRING THE
RESULTS ON TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE WHATCOM
COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE EXPANDING USE OF AIRCRAFT
LANDING AREAS TO ALLOW OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT FOR
PERSONAL USE IN THE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ZONES AS
A CONDITIONAL USE, AND TO ADD SECTIONS ALLOWING
AIRCRAFT LANDING AREAS AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE
RURAL FORESTRY AND COMMERCIAL FORESTRY ZONES AND
AS AN ACCESSORY USE IN THE COMMERCIAL FORESTRY
ZONES (AB93 -213)
This item is already scheduled for a hearing and does not belong in this
committee meeting.
3. DISCUSSION OF MARK WEINBERG PERMITTING ISSUE (AB93-
295)
Mark Weinberg, President of Strawberry Shores Association: Early in 1990 he
made application for short plats on 3 parcels in sensitive areas. Problems arose in
dealing with Buildings and Code which imposed stringent regulations not normally
required for short plats including changes "mid- stream" in requirements. The problems
from the delay, delay have cost the developer many dollars including expirations of
permits and bonds. Now he is facing lawsuits from every direction, thanks to the delays.
Weinberg thanked the Committee for giving him a chance to tell his story. He is
concerned, however, about the gridlock in the County created by those who do not want
any growth taking place in the county at all.
Nate Brown: Explained the information he has supporting the work that Buildings
and Code has done, including the problems created by the Critical Areas Ordinance
Planning Minutes, 7113193, Page 2
Referendum and by the changes in staff since the beginning of the project in 1990.
There was discussion among Brown, Weinberg, Brenner, and Warner.
Art Castle: Pointed out that the intent of the clearing ordinance was to cover the
gap between the forestry ordinance and the development ordinance.
The agreement was that Weinberg and Brown would get together and solve the
problem which now seemed more clearly defined for both parties. Warner thanked
Weinberg for the insights into some of the problems that contractors are facing in the
permitting process.
3. OTHER BUSINESS
Brenner asked about bringing a matter concerning lot consolidation to the
Committee next meeting. Warner agreed.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:11 p.m.
ATTEST:
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
t
T,fa—nc-y Co Assistant Clerk Daniel M. Warner, Chair
Planning Minutes, 7113193, Page 3