HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services April 14 1992WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PUBLIC SERVICES AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE
April 14, 1992
The meeting was called to order at 6:43 p.m. by Committee Chairman Robert Imhof
in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest St., 2nd floor.
Also Present:
Barbara Brenner
Dennis Vander Yacht
Absent:
1. LAKE WHATCOM CONNECTOR STUDY DISCUSSION AND UPDATE
(ALSO WILL TAKE PLACE 4/28) (AB91 -365A)
Paul Masten, Director of Transportation Engineering, Reid - Middleton. Also project
manager for the Lake Whatcom Transportation study. With him is Wendell Johnson, the
assistant project manager. The two men were at the meeting to answer questions from the
committee and from those present in the audience. Items discussed: the scope of the study;
the feasibility of a new east /west roadway; recommendations for short term solutions;
priorities for things that need to be fixed; perceived need for roadway over the top;
justification of the $18 million cost to build it; forecasted use of current roadways; zoning
on which recommendations were made; participation of the City of Bellingham in the cost
of the project.
Andrew Ross, 812 Indian Terrace, Bellingham: Asked when the proposed Lake
Whatcom Connecter would become obsolescent, what the feasibility of car pooling and
public transportation would be, and how economics would affect the project.
Lee Halleck, 833 Lake Whatcom Blvd: Many of those who live on dead end roads
in the area object to the Connector for fear their roads will become throughways; is it
possible those could be left dead end, not connected to the Connector. Masten said this is
certain possible; some should not be connected. Halleck also expressed concern about
development in the area that the Connector might bring. He suggested that current zoning
be maintained, pointing out the number of lots at Sudden Valley and Geneva that are
already there and couldn't be down- zoned.
Randy German, 2015 Old Fairhaven Parkway: Said it seems stupid to him to assume
that anyone could assume fuel prices and availability will remain the same into the next
century. Fuel supply will undoubtedly be less than half the present supply, prices will be up
considerably, and people will not be able to drive like they do now, so traffic will have
decreased.
Bobbie McCardy, 21 Austin Creek Lane, Sudden Valley: Concerned about Lake
Public Services Minutes, 4/14/92, page 1
Louise Blvd. During the time of the study both lake Louise and Lake Whatcom Blvd. had
the same number of fatal accidents and the same number of injury accidents. If Lake Louise
is not to be improved, how can Lake Louise Road handle 55% more traffic, as the use is
projected. Upscaling density is probably the only way to finance this road in part;
improvement of Lake Louise Road would affect all residents of Sudden Valley. Masten
assured her that the $18 million includes an upgrade of Lake Louise Road. She is also
concerned about maintaining the safety /security aspects of Sudden Valley, about water
purity, and Samish Way connections to Connector.
Philip Urso, 16 Par Place, Sudden Valley: Couldn't believe that the previous Council
was going to table the Connector, completely depriortizing the building of it. Urges the
Council to keep the issue open.
Fred Miller, 3229 North Shore Rd.: Suggested that the growth projections used in the
study be re- examined. Current growth rates were used, not buildout figures. Look carefully
at the zoning considerations you're getting.
Jay Taber, 1212 Raymond, Whatcom Falls Neighborhood Assn: Said that it's the
Lake Whatcom Transportation Study, not the Lake Whatcom Connector Study as put in the
agenda. While we can debate the County's responsibilities to serve the lots in Sudden
Valley, the question still remains about whether or not we need to do more studies before
the sub -area plan is updated.
Donna Clark: She has lived in the area for 26 years, and before the environmentalists
came in, everything was fine. The traffic on Lake Whatcom is unacceptable now; the County
is responsible for the growth and the increase of traffic, and the problems need to be solved
now.
Roger Boren, Lake Whatcom Blvd.: Questioned what the costs would be in 2005 if
we wait. Costs will escalate, but cars will still need a road, regardless of what fuels the cars.
Carol Lee Gallagher, 1810 Wilson: She lived in Sudden Valley for seven months, just
recently moving to Fairhaven. Suggested that the very fast study that had to be done is on
the watershed and the current stresses that development is producing for our watershed.
This study should be done in consultation with Water District # 10. Also, some study should
be made of the buildable vs. the unbuildable lots in Sudden Valley.
Brenner asked about a logging road that might be another possible southern route.
Due to lack of time, this was deferred to another meeting.
2. JEFF MARGOLIS AND THE PARKS DEPT. PRESENTATION AND IDEAS
ON THE SOUTH FORK TUBING CRISIS (AB92 -172)
Jeff Margolis, 5465 Potter Rd., Van Zandt: From about June 1 to September 15, the
Public Services Minutes, 4/14/92, page 2
South Fork Valley becomes a recreation area. It's the biggest unorganized, anarchist
situation in the world. Somehow, this needs to be organized with. rules and planning. The
inner - tubers are vandalizing the river and polluting it and misusing it. There needs to be a
development of facilities on the river, done with long -range planning, to provide for the
heavy use of the river. He suggests a shuttle bus to the river from a controlled parking area.
But something has to be done; the chaos cannot be permitted to continue.
Roger DeSpain, Parks and Recreation: Agrees with Margolis about the problem on
the river and that solutions must be found. County has leased some land for parking, but
people say, "I'm not going to pay," and they park elsewhere. The County has been working
on the problem, but the state and the DNR also have responsibilities. Use numbers need
to be address. DeSpain and Margolis and others will get together to discuss this further.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
ATTEST.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PUBLIC SERVICES & SOLID WASTE
COMMITTEE
� �Ovr,�C�
Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk Ro ert Imhof, Chairman
Public Services Minutes, 4/14/92, page 3