HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning February 25 1992WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
February 25, 1992
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest, 2nd
floor, by Chairperson Ken Henderson.
Present Absent
Larry Harris Dennis Vander Yacht
1. POSSIBLE FOREST PRACTICES UPDATE FROM PLANNING STAFF
REGARDING SUMAS MOUNTAIN (AB92 -003) AND THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS IN
THE BLUE CANYON AREA (AB92 -104).
Topics discussed: Submittal of application by TAT Corp. to harvest of 71 acres
(the first cut of a total 1300 acres) above Cabrant Road; asking to have Doug Goldthorp
of County Engineers look at the area to give his geologic point of view; ID team to view the
area (who qualifies to be on ID team); request the County to work together with the DNR
as a team; will Class 4 priority answer all necessary questions regarding impact of logging;
Also discussed was the Blue Canyon area: area was reviewed very extensively in the
Lake Whatcom Forestry Forum and it is a very complicated application on probably the
most difficult terrain in the Lake Whatcom Watershed in terms of slope stability, erosion,
hydrology, and alluvial fan hazards; using helicopters to transport logs rather than building
roads and leaving a certain percentage of the canopy intact rather than clearing to reduce
the hydrologic impact; some logging violations - that too much had been cut; concerns about
property ending up in the lake; a disagreement of the interpretation of terms (regarding the
25' setback from the topographic break); there is a definite problem in the Blue Canyon
area.
Persons speaking: Gordon Scott, Planning Dept.; Larry Harris; Boyd Norton, Dept
of Natural Resources; Ken Henderson; Jean Westgate; Rita Foley; Susan Struthers; Kip
Kelly, DNR; Larry Chapman, Forester for Neilson Brothers; Sherilyn Wells.
A document referred to by Wells is called the Storm Water Runoff Monitoring
Pro'e January 13, 1992 which states that the southern basin area of Lake Whatcom has
the highest risk.
HARRIS MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT A SECOND
LETTER BE WRITTEN. TO THE DNR WITH SPECIFIC GEOLOGIC AND
HYDROLOGIC AREAS OF CONCERN THAT THE COUNTY HAS. ALSO
INCLUDED IN THE MOTION IS THAT THE STAFF HELP FRAME THOSE
QUESTIONS.
The motion carried unanimously.
Planning & Development Minutes, 2/25/92, page 1
Harris asked how the County could stop this cut until this is straightened out. Scott
answered that he believed the County could send a notice to the DNR saying we think there
has been a violation and we would like you to rectify it within ten days. If that doesn't
occur to your satisfaction you can begin an action in Superior Court. This is spelled out in
the RCWs. Henderson recommended seeking legal advice and said this item would . be
brought forward at the Council Meeting that evening.
2. DISCUSSION OF SCHEDULE FOR CONSIDERATION OF SHORELINES
RESOLUTION (BEING RE- INTRODUCED AT THE EVENING MEETING, FOR
PURPOSES OF INCREASING PUBLIC NOTICE) (AB91 -347)
Henderson said it may be April before this can be brought forward. Dan Taylor said
it could be March 24 but a decision needs to be made this week because it must be
advertised for three consecutive weeks in the newspaper.
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 20.92.205,
EXPANDING THE HEARING EXAMINER DUTIES AND POWERS TO INCLUDE
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ON
PROPOSED LAKE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT RATES AND CHARGES OR SPECIAL
ASSESSMENTS (AB92 -074).
Topics discussed: Originally thought to be a local Lk. Samish Management District
controlled by the people who live at the lake; now it is totally out of the hands of the
people who live at Lake Samish; Hearing Examiner's role in the assessments.
Persons speaking: Pat Whitney, 451 E. Lk Samish Dr.; Larry Harris; Linda Irvin,
Executive Office; Ken Henderson.
HARRIS MOVED TO FORWARD THIS TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
The motion carried unanimously.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
Topics discussed: June Road within the Cordata Planned Unit Development is
now being requested to be put in and is in progress at this time; concerns over the proposed
greenbelt area; questions about the mineral resource ordinance; it will be reintroduced in
two weeks.
Persons speaking: Bob Woods; Ken Henderson; Scott Pitman, 3398 Breckenridge
Road; Dan Taylor, WC Planning _
Meeting adjourned.
Planning & Development Minutes, 2/25/92, page 2
ATTEST:
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
CONIlVIITTEE
Marina A. McAllister, Assistant Clerk Ken Henderson, Member
Planning & Development Minutes, 2/25/92, page 3