HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development October 22 1991WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 22, 1991
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Marge Laidlaw at 2 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 1000 N. Forest Street.
Also Present:
Emily Jackson
Don Hansey
Absent:
None
1. RECEIPT OF PETITION FOR INCORPORATION OF BIRCH BAY (AB91 -351)
Laidlaw stated there will be no formal action taken, at this point, in determining the
merits of the petition.
JACKSON MOVED TO FORMALLY ACCEPTED THE PETITION AS
CERTIFIED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. DISCUSSION ON THE FIRS CONTRACT (AB90 -445)
Laidlaw informed Will Johnson that the Planning Department will be asking for a
SEPA checklist.
Issues discussed: The contract extension; a public hearing is needed at the Council
level; and performance requirements of projects.
Comments were made by: Will Johnson, representing The Firs; Randy Watts, Civil
Prosecuting Attorney; Laidlaw; Jackson.
JACKSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO HOLD A PUBLIC
HEARING ON THE ISSUE OF THE FIRS.
The motion carried unanimously.
3. DISCUSSION OF FOREST PRACTICE APPLICATION IN THE LAKE WHATCOM
SUBAREA (AB91 -129A)
Gordon Scott, Planning Department: Presented a brief review of Cub Creek's
Planning & Development Committee minutes, 10/22/91, page 1
- - -,
progress. He recommended to take all reasonable means to protect Lake Whatcom
and the trail system. At this point the application will do that. He requested that the
committee hold off until the boundaries are changed and Planning gets a chance to
look at it and make a determination in the field.
There was discussion between Scott, Laidlaw, and Jackson regarding the permit
procedures with DNR and the map accuracies of applications.
Jackson asked Scott to draft an letter of support from the Council.
JACKSON MOVED TO SEND A LETTER TO DNR REGARDING ADJUSTING
THE BOUNDARIES TO PROTECT THE TRAIL AND THE WATER QUALITY
AND RESERVING THE RIGHT TO APPEAL.
The motion passed unanimously.
Fred Miller, Friends of Lake Whatcom: There is a lawsuit filed by Washington
Environmental Council, Friends of Lake Whatcom, Lake Whatcom Defence
Coalition, North Cascades Audubon, and several others against the Forest Practices
Board and DNR, claiming DNR cannot make class 4 special determination. Joining
the lawsuit would be a positive direction for the Council. He requested that the
Committee ask DNR to supply in writing what their actual determination, plans, and
time lines are. He invited the Council to go out and look at the end of Lake
Whatcom where Cub Creek is located.
Sherilyn Wells, Friends of Lake Whatcom: She proposed that the committee invite
Dr. Matthews, Institute for Watershed Studies, to attend a meeting and discuss the
major impacts to the lake due to sedimentation after storm events and existing cuts.
Gordon Scott gave a brief review on Ridge Runner's progress.
No action will be taken at this point.
4. DISCUSSION OF FOREST PRACTICES BOARD PROPOSAL ON SIZE AND
TIMING OF CLEAR CUTS (AB91 -348)
Gordon Scott: He is unsure of why this proposal is coming forward to DNR, what
the proposal is supposed to do, and it's confusing to understand how it would be
implemented. He recommends it not to be implemented except for the section about
clear cutting on islands which he requested to change the definition from salt water
to salt and fresh water.
There was further discussion between Jackson, Hansey, Scott, and Laidlaw on this
issue.
Planning & Development Committee minutes, 10/22/91, page 2
JACKSON MOVED TO CONCUR WITH THE COMMENTS ON PAGE 62 AND
63 REGARDING CLEAR CUT SIZE AND TIMING RULE AND
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL TO ENDORSE THIS SUGGESTION TO THE
FOREST PRACTICE BOARD.
The motion passed unanimously.
5. RESOLUTION OPPOSING INITIATIVE 559, RELATING TO PROPERTY TADS
(AB91 -351)
Jackson abstained because of personnel conflict with taking ballot position involving
taxation of the people that spend taxes.
LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO COUNCIL.
The motion passed with Jackson abstaining.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
Chuck Stirling, Birch Bay, inquired on what the committee's recommendation was
for the Birch Bay Incorporation.
Laidlaw explained the position the Committee took, to accept the petition but no
formal action was taken.
Jackson informed Gordon Scott that she has received many complaints about a large
forest practice cut out on Birch Point and there is no pending application with DNR.
Gordon Scott stated that the County put a stop work order on the project until they
got a clearing permit.
The Committee agreed by consensus to get more information and report to Council.
The meeting adjourned 3:15 p.m.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Pamela Orloff
4 Marge law, Chairperson
Planning & Development Committee minutes, 10/22/91, page 3