HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services September 14 1993WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PUBLIC SERVICES AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE
September 14, 1993
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chairman Bob Imhof at 6:35 p.m.
in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest Street.
Also Present:
Brenner
Vander Yacht
Absent:
None
1. DECISION ON PETPITON FOR VACATION OF A PORTION OF GULF
ROAD, FILED BY J.M. SHECKTER, CHERRY POINT INDUSTRIAL PARK
LTD., ET AL. (AB93 -085) (HEARING HELD 5/25)
Speakers: Konrad Liegel, Preston, Thorgrimson, Shidler, Gates & Ellis of Seattle;
and Bill Chambers of the Anvil Corporation. Both represent Joe Scheckter, proponent
of the Cherry Point Industrial Park.
Mr. Liegel displayed an aerial view of the proposed vacation site, similar to the
map that is on file in the Council Office. He noted that there was a question at the May
25 Council hearing about ownership of the tide flats. He addressed the question, noting
that in this case the state transferred the tidelands to Cherry Point Industrial Park prior
to 1982. Therefore CPIP proposes that the road be vacated so that no ownership issues
are changed, and the shoreline permit addressed in AB93 -252 will determine public
access to the beach. There were comments by Brenner and Imhof. Part of the condition
for the vacation could be an easement retained by the County, Liegel said. He outlined
several possibilities for access to the beach. Chambers said Scheckter is committed to
public access.
Liegel said there are two issues: Where along road you vacate and when you
vacate. Council Member Ken Henderson joined in the conversations, asking about the
government's authority to vacate roads that abut or dead end into water. There was
discussion by Imhof, Liegel, Henderson and Brenner.
Liegel also said the value of the property should be considered. The contributory
value of the road improvements, as indicated in the appraisal, should not be included, he
said. He felt the comparable sales value was fine, but the value of the improvement
(replacement value) of $58,000 is objectionable. He asked the Council to include
language that the road vacation shall take place upon payment of the required appraised
value of the property. Scheckter will determine with the County whether the $120,000 is
appropriate or a lesser amount. Imhof explained why he did not understand this logic.
Public Services Minutes, 9/14/93, Page 1
Henderson, Imhof and Brenner commented. It was decided that the Engineer
could address some of the questions raised at this time when this matter is discussed by
the Council later in the evening.
Liegel said other jurisdictions do not use this formula for appraisals of this type.
There was concern that the appraiser used does not always use the same formula that
he /she should, if not familiar with road vacation -type appraisals.
Imhof made a motion but later withdrew it.
HENDERSON SUGGESTED TO THE COMMITTEE THAT THE MOTION
BE THAT THE ROAD BE VACATED, WITH THE APPRAISED VALUE OF THE
ROAD BEING PAID TO THE COUNTY. THE EXACT VALUE AND
APPROPRIATE AMOUNT TO BE PAID (INCLUDING WHETHER THE ROAD
IMPROVEMENT SHOULD BE INCLUDED OR NOT) CAN BE NEGOTIATED
WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER.
The chair accepted this as a motion of the committee.
Motion carried unanimsouly.
2. DISCUSSION /UPDATE REGARDING BUILDINGS & CODE PERMIT
PROCESS WITH NATE BROWN (AB93 -369)
Brown reported to the Committee on the permitting process. The appointment -
only process for residential construction has been implemented. In cooperation with BIA
and BIC, they have accelerated the plan check process. Plan checking was completely
under the B & C division's control. He talked about the shift in duties and funds to help
and said that 232 plans were checked in August. Prior to that, the largest number ever
checked in a month was 120. It was a significant improvement, he said. He and the
staff feel great about being able to get out from underneath the backlog while working
with private industry. He explalined further, noting that permit turn - around time is down
to six weeks with the goal of four weeks. The Committee indicated it was impressed.
He addressed concerns that people had raised about the appointment -only service.
He said he felt it was working well and explained why. He also addressed other areas of
improvement and fielded questions from the Committee.
Public Services Minutes, 9/14/93, Page 2
3. OTHER BUSINESS
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
ATTEST:
Ramona Reeves, Clerk of the Council
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Bob knhof, Courtcil Me r er
Public Services Minutes, 9/14/93, Page 3