HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development September 10 1991WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, September 10, 1991
The meeting was called to order at 2:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest St.,
2nd Floor, by Chairperson Marge Laidlaw.
Also present:
Emily Jackson
Don Hansey, late
Absent:
1. DISCUSSION OF FIRE DISTRICT CONCERNS REGARDING SERVICE
TO UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY (AB91 -200) 58
Bob Carmichael: Believes that a building permit can be made dependent on membership
in a fire protection district. Pointed out that Skagit County requires it temporarily now while
setting up permanent plans because of the growth in the county, and the police have the
power to require such a thing in terms of determining safety for their clients. Another
approach would be to say by way of an ordinance that it is required to be a member of a
fire protection district to get a building permit. Covered the possible ramifications of an
ordinance requiring membership. County could put in either an interim ordinance or a
permanent ordinance; either would be valid and would stand legally.
Dan Taylor: Answered questions about various zoning districts.
Jerry Joubert, Fire District #13: Pleased that the building permit requirement has a legal
foundation. It's important, too, because of the cooperation this would foster among
neighbors. A major problem, though, is funding_ for _the various fire departments and
districts. Another is that 911 calls are often routed to a district that has indicated it would
prefer not to go to certain areas, creating an awkward situation.
John Stewart, Fire District #16: Pointed out some of the problems faced by the fire districts
when they are adjacent to an area not included in a district. The Acme area has such an
area on Mosquito Lake Road which contains 39 to 40 homes. His concern is not in forcing
people to comply, but in legally allowing the fire districts to respond. They're there to serve
and want to be available, cooperating with other districts, and serving to the maximum.
Tom Fields, Fire District #2 and Whatcom County Association of Fire Chiefs: Fire Districts
provide services other than fire fighting. And with the building going on within the County,
the fire districts need to know when roads are build and where they are for identification
purposes. Pointed out that people often think they won't need the service, but when they do
P & D Minutes, 9/10/91, page 1
need it, all the reasons for not having protection disappear. -
Gary Russell, Fire District #7: Pointed out that eventually we are going to have a
residential fire death in the unprotected part of the County. Then people are going to ask
the Fire Districts and the County officials why they let this happen. People need to have this
protection.
Fields added that we need a vehicle in place right now so they know how to respond to a
call from 911 - -this problem places a legal restraint on the fire districts now and places
people in jeopardy. Something is needed right now.
Stewart also pointed out that they have been told by their superiors NOT to respond to a
call outside of their districts; they are not to go on the call.
Committee has asked staff to prepare a moratorium on building permits in uncovered
districts; moratorium to be brought back to Committee as soon as possible.
2. PUGET SOUND WATER QUALITY AUTHORITY, WETLANDS
REGULATIONS W4.1 (AB91 -189) SO
Terry Galvin was present to answer questions. There was a short discussion.
3. STORMWATER STANDARDS (AB91 -342) PA PPR
Galvin presented a summary and update of the standards for the committee. The bottom
line is that only part of the standards are being complied with at this time and for now. He
appointed out that chapters 1 and 2 are going to be law; the rest is for guidance. Deadline
for the review is some time in early spring, 1992, for adoption by the State. He answered
questions from staff.
4. REZONE FROM GC TO RR2 FOR A PROPERTY NEAR THE
INTERSECTION OF THE GUIDE MERIDIAN AND BARTLETT
(AB91)
M PPR
Taylor presented the rezoning request and answered questions. Mrs. Virginia Streets, owner
of one of the properties in question, was also present.
JACKSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO COUNCIL.
Motion carved unanimously.
P & D Minutes, 9/10/91, page 2
Because there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
NOTE: Don Hansey came in during the discussion with the Fire Chiefs, left, came in briefly
to vote on rezoning, then left again.
ATTEST: PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMM=E
B bars Maher, Depu erk Marge Lai aw, Chairperson
nc
P & D Minutes, 9/10/91, page 3