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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development December 10 1991WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE December 10, 1991 The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest, 2nd floor, by Chairperson Marge Laidlaw. Also present: Emily Jackson Don Hansey (late) Absent: 1. RESOLUTION AGREEING TO A MULTI -YEAR REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTING THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS TO RECEIVE AND DISBURSE GROWTH MANAGEMENT FUNDS (AB91- 441) 94 -101 Dan Taylor was present to answer questions. He passed out the revised copy of The Regional Growth Management Strategy (attached) and explained the few changes. Jackson requested that in the future the document explain the rationale for the differences in the per capita amounts given to the Lummi tribe and the Nooksack tribe. HANSEY MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL. Motion carried unanimously. 2. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING CONDITIONS OF THE THOMAS & INGEBORG NESSET TRUST AND THE NESSET CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR A FUTURE 104 -ACRE PARK (AB91 -426) 102 -119 Roger DeSpain was present to explain the issue and answer questions from the Committee. JACKSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL. Motion carried unanimously. 3. • ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BIRCH BAY- BLAINE SUBAREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP FROM COMMERCIAL - RESORT TO COMMERCIAL- GENERAL AND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FROM RESORT- COMMERCIAL TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL SUBJECT TO A Planning & Development Minutes, 12/10/91, page 1 CONCOMITANT AGREEMENT FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 15 ACRE PARCEL IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF THE BIRCH BAY- LYNDEN_ ROAD AND HARBORVIEW ROAD (AB91- 289) 120-141 Dan Taylor explained the changes in the contract and answered questions from the Committee. JACKSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND PASS. Motion carried unanimously. Because there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ATTEST: Nancy Cahn, Acting Clerk PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Marge I4idlaw, Chairperson Planning & Development Minutes, 12/10/91, page 2 REGIONAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT STRATEGY NOVEMBER 23, 1991 PAGE 1 WHATCOM COUNTY REGIONAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WHATCOM COUNTY REGIONAL UNINCORPORATED AREA Task 1: Critical Area and Resource Lands This task is a priority for funding for this year. It took quite a bit more time and money than was originally anticipated. .The County budget includes initial technical assistance to the cities on critical areas. 1. The prime mineral resource lands are also prime agricultural lands, with considerable public conflict already having occurred over the location of mining in agricultural areas. In addition, the mineral resource lands and prime agricultural lands surround several of the small cities, where urban growth areas would otherwise be logical. Finally, there are concerns about the groundwater impacts of mining on the well sources for some of the cities. For these reasons, the inventory and regulation development for resource lands is taking a major effort during this funding year. 2. Paper inventories have been completed for most critical areas. These include wetlands, geological hazards, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, aquifer recharge areas, alluvial fan hazard areas, and frequently flooded areas. Public process is a major part of the critical areas program and has been time consuming, but should prevent problems later. 3. The purchase of the hardware and software for a GIS was coordinated in a joint project with Western Washington University. An accurate base map, a variety of data sources, and training of personnel is being accomplished so that the second half of this program year the GIS may be used for analysis of aquifer recharge areas, frequently flooded areas, and alluvial fan hazard areas; as well as finishing the analysis for the resource lands. 4. As part of the GIS process, LANDSAT satellite data is being obtained to provide current land use. All of the GIS information will be available to the Cities and Tribes, and the County is furnishing a half -time graduate student to provide analysis capabilities for them. 5. The County will attempt to adopt temporary designations and regulations for critical areas to meet the March 1 deadline, while continuing the systematic process of inventorying and policy /regulation development through 1993. In terms of interim regulations for natural resources, the primary focus will be on mineral resources. The County will adopt preliminary mineral resource areas (MRAs) by February. Meanwhile, we have a moratorium in place on surface mining and are tracking the proposed State revisions to surface mining act. These preliminary MRAs are based on soils, surficial geology, and -local knowledge. A geology consultant will be hired to refine these boundaries. REGIONAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT STRATEGY NOVEMBER 23, 1991 PAGE 3 Task 4: Existing Land Use and Facility Inventor 1. An urban area inventory of existing transportation networks, including current characteristics. and capacities has been completed as part of an urbanized regional transportation plan. 2. Inventory and analysis of the other capital facility plans will begin in the second half of this fiscal year. The County provided a workshop for all of the cities and other agencies on the "what and how of CFP." Contact with utilities,. fire districts, school districts, parks department, and other entities has been made. The third year will focus intensively on this task. Interim impact fee regulations or policies may emerge in 1992. 3. With the very large costs of examining critical areas in a primarily low density development county, there is not enough funding to rectify the lack of any prior plan development for housing. We will use the census data and the GIS, along with some limited staff time, to inventory housing in the unincorporated area. The population /economic consultant report provides a good basis for comparison -and determination of the affordability of housing in the county, and what will be needed in the future. Task 5: Comprehensive Plan Elements Utilities A Utilities Committee has been meeting to generate background information. This will be compiled and existing corridors located on the GIS. Working with Puget Power, a demand study will be started and preliminary new corridors defined as necessary. The optional solar energy and conservation elements will be worked into this element with the major effort.in the third year. Rural Element The rural element has been largely completed as part of past subarea work. Changes related to county -wide policies and innovative techniques will begin in the third funding year. Open Space Corridors Major work will begin in third year utilizing GIS, after work on critical areas and utility corridors is further along and other data is available. However, on- going coordination with Cities will take place throughout this funding year based on the Heritage Task Force Plan and the Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan that are already available. Transportation An urbanized area transportation plan has been completed and the Council of Governments has adopted the policy portion of the plan. This plan covers the REGIONAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT STRATEGY NOVEMBER 23, 1991 PAGE 5 DISBURSEMENT OF GRANT FUNDS Funds provided to implement the-Washington State Growth Management Act will be distributed as follows: Bellingham $95,002 Blaine $12,606 Everson $10,694 Nooksack $9,186 *Everson - Nooksack $19,880 Ferndale $17,193 * *Lynden $19,210 Sumas $9,479 * *Whatcom County $107,880 plus $2,000 to generate background data on the Lummi Reservation of mutual interest to the Lummi Nation and Whatcom County. Council of Governments $2,000 for information support, workshops, etc. Lummi Nation (see Whatcom County above) Nooksack Tribe $2,000 Copy /Printing /Mailing $474 to be utilized as necessary by the County or City of Bellingham to defray expenditures in these categories related to jurisdictional coordination. 1. Funds that cannot be effectively spent by the jurisdictions may be reallocated based on needs assessment by the Oversight Committee. Such reallocation shall be formally documented. Oversight Committee decisions on any changes in the scope of work or distribution of State funds shall be made by consensus, if possible, or by vote. One representative from each of the seven Cities and one representative from the County may vote, with votes representing 75% of the total county population and 60% of the jurisdictions required to make a change. 2. * The money for Everson and Nooksack will be pooled and disbursed by the County for consulting services under a three party interlocal agreement. 3. ** The City of Lynden and Whatcom County each contributed $1,500 in order that the Cities of Everson and Nooksack could meet their minimum need during the first funding year. This was returned as an 'increase over their proportionate share in this second year funding.