HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning January 28 1992WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
January 28, 1992
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest, 2nd
floor, by acting Chairperson Ken Henderson.
Present Absent
Larry Harris None
Dennis Vander Yacht
1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE OFFICERS (AB92 -001B)
HARRIS MOVED TO ELECT KEN HENDERSON AS CHAIR OF THE
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. ESTABLISHING REGULAR STARTING TIME FOR COMMITTEE
MEETINGS (AB92 -001C)
Consensus was to hold meetings at 1:30. No action was taken.
3. ORDINANCE ADOPTING INTERIM REGULATIONS PROHIBITING THE
ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS OUTSIDE OF ESTABLISHED FIRE
DISTRICT BOUNDARIES FOR A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS OR UNTIL
COMPLETION OF THE COMMERCIAL/RURAL FORESTRY SPLIT AND
ANNEXATION INTO EXISTING FIRE DISTRICTS OR CREATION OF
NEW DISTRICTS (AB91 -200A)
Topics discussed included: Context of the ordinance; township boundaries;
background of the issue; problems created by County -wide 911 services; time span for
expected annexation; purpose of a moratorium; location of bounds; mutual aid between
districts; legality of a moratorium; efforts made by Districts to contact those unprotected;
providing information to those outside districts; problems Districts face physically when
trying to provide services; inter- District mutual aid agreement; various options available to
solve the problem; willingness /unwillingness of those not covered to join a :district; legality
of a moratorium; ordinance versus resolution for this situation; holding in committee versus
rushing a draft resolution for tonight's Council meeting; holding an appeal process; Eliza
Island.
Comments were make by: Harris; Henderson; Vander Yacht; Council Budget and
Program Analyst Bob Woods; Jerry Joubert, Fire District #13; John Stewart, Fire District
Planning & Development Minutes, 1/28/92, p. 1
# 16; Chief Russell, Fire District #7; Klaus Wergin, Emergency Services; John Tyler, Public
Works.
HARRIS MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION WITH THE FOLLOWING
AMENDMENT: A 90-DAY WAITING PERIOD DURING WHICH TIME THE FIRE
DISTRICTS WOULD (1) PUBLICIZE THE FACT THAT A MORATORIUM WAS
GOING TO BE PUT IN PLACE AND WHAT ITS CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE AND
(2) MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO CONTACT ALL THOSE LIVING IN THE
UNPROTECTED AREAS.
Harris withdrew his motion.
VANDER YACHT MOVED TO HOLD THE ORDINANCE IN COMMITTEE TO
ALLOW FURTHER CONSIDERATION WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT A
RESOLUTION WILL BE DRAFTED SETTING UP THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE
FULFILLED .T ED BEFORE THE PRESENTATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO FULL
COUNCIL.
The motion carried unanimously.
4. FRIENDS OF SUMAS MOUNTAIN: CONCERNS ABOUT LOGGING IMPACTS (AB92-
003) (DISCUSSION ONLY)
Topics discussed: Effects of a clear cut on those living downhill; effects on water from
the creek; slides; soil instability; request of Friends of Sumas Mountain for an unbiased
independent study; torrent problems; slope failure; DNR's inability to enforce both their
own requirements and the State's or County's; steps Trillium has taken to protect the
streams; the State's outlook; TAT Company's order for a geology report (class 4 special);
problems that have been created by the home builders in the area.
Comments were made by: Jean Westgate, resident of foothills of Sumas Mountain;
Ken Ryan; Gordon Scott; Fred Nowickie, 3341 Berg Rd.; Art Hyatt, Friends of Lake
Whatcom; Ed Henken; Mr. Menish, TAT Company; Harris; Henderson.
This issue is to be scheduled for discussion at a later date.
Meeting adjourned.
ATTEST:
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
Dana Br -Davis, sistant Clerk Ken Henderson, Member
Planning & Development Minutes, 1/28/92, p. 2