HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning December 17 1992WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
December 17, 1992
The meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest
St., 2nd floor, by Ken Henderson, Chairman.
Also present: Absent:
Larry Harris
Dennis Vander Yacht
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED EXCHANGE OF
FOREST LANDS IN WHATCOM COUNTY BETWEEN THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON AND THE TRILLIUM CORPORATION (EXCHANGE
NO. 460)(AB.92 -195)
Topics discussed: Overview and framework of the exchange; areas gifted to Whatcom
County by Trillium; potential environmental impacts; Natural Heritage goals used as
guidelines; talks with Trillium on environmental protection issues; Chuckanut Mountain
ecosystem; financial impact to the County; compliments to the Land Trust people and
Trillium for their work; response to Bruce Harris's concerns about Finney Creek; DNR's
response to R. Hyatt's concerns; gains in wildlife (Eagle) nesting areas; problems that DNR
is facing regarding planning and management; explanation of priorities of DNR, Trillium,
and the County, values balanced with acres; steep slopes in Finney Creek area; Finney
Creek critical to Trillium; Bellingham's interest in Finney Creek area.
Persons speaking: Gordon Scott, Planning; Harris; Henderson; Dick Olsen, Dept. of
Natural Resources (DNR); Vander Yacht.
Bruce Harris, 135 Lake Samish Rd.: Reported on the study of Finney Creek that
feeds into Lake Samish. Expressed concerns about that parcel moving from public ownership
to private ownership because of its potential for flood damage to roads and private dwellings
as well as the lake. Protested the transfer of the land to Trillium and challenged the Council
to read their reports and letters on this subject. Will submit further requirements in writing,
but wanted Committee to know that the citizens of the area have had a running battle with
both DNR and Trillium and that Trillium did not own any contiguous property because
Bloedell- Donovan owned it.
IL Hyatt: Questioned the management practices of DNR in generating income. He
asked about what kind of control the County would have in the management plan.;
r
Paul Johnson, 30 Green Point Rd.: Property owner on Finney Creek who is
concerned about the extreme run -off from the creek and the potential problems within the
watershed. Wanted to stress Bruce Harris's concerns and their validity. Asked for
clarification about DNB's plans for the area and the handling of the steep slopes in the
area. Also concerned about those who live at the terminus of Friday Creek.
.Bill Wallace, Regional Manager, DNR: Explained that the predominate owner on
the Finney Creek side of Lookout Mountain is Trillium; this exchange balances out the
ownership of land and the exchange (because of the timber value balance needed).
Explained the Forest Practices Act of which DNR is the implementing agency, so must
review anything Trillium does. Pointed out that the issues involved on that side of Lookout
have been thoroughly discussed with Trillium who has acknowledged the sensitivity of the
area and will address them with any planning they do for the area.
HARRIS MOVED, TO RECOMMEND PASS.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. OTHER BUSINESS
Dan Taylor, Planning, reported on Beechwood., Asked the Committee and Council
to resolve the issue, if possible.
Topics discussed: History of issue; time problems of Planning; Hearing Examiner's
decision.
Persons speaking: Harris; Henderson; Taylor.
Taylor reported that Cordata North, an industrial development in Ferndale, and a
few other items will be coming forward in January. Asked the Committee for time to discuss
Growth Management and discussed the general plans for developing the full package. Taylor
is to communicate with the new chairman after the first of the year so that the time can be
blocked in.
Taylor said that Planning could provide a report on the material gathered at the
December 3 Mt. Baker meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:14 p.m.
ATTEST: PLANNING & DEVE P1
Nancy Assistant Clerk en Henderson, Chairman
Planning Minutes, 12117192, Page 2
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