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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development April 24 1990WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE April 24, 1990 The meeting was called to order in the Council Conference Room by Committee Chairperson Marge Laidlaw at 1 p.m. Others present: Absent: Emily Jackson None. Don Hansey 1. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON PROCESSING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS FOR OFF - PREMISE ADVERTISING SIGNS FROM APRIL 30, 1990 TO JUNE 30, 1990 (AB90 -135) 2. ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON PROCESSING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS FOR OFF - PREMISE ADVERTISING SIGNS ... TO JUNE 30, 1990 (AB90 -135) The two items were discussed together. Taylor said a minority report from the Planning Commission will recommend the Council place more stringent restrictions on signage in the County. The emergency ordinance will extend the moratorium through July 30. There was discussion among Committee members and Taylor. Taylor said the Council could have its own hearing on this matter. The majority of the Planning Commission wanted to freeze billboards at the current level, with the elimination of illegal ones. JACKSON MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE (ITEM 2 ON THE AGENDA) BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. JACKSON MOVED THAT THE EMERGENCY ORDINANCE BE RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION, WITH THE DATE CHANGED TO MAY 4. Motion carried. 3. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAKE WHATCOM SUBAREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP FROM RURAL TO COMMERCIAL AND THE OFFICIAL COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE FROM RURAL TWO ACRES TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL FOR A.7 ACRE PARCEL AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLUE CANYON ROAD AND SOUTH BAY DRIVE (AB90 -136) Laidlaw asked if this deals with the old store located in that area. Taylor said P &D Minutes, 4/24/90, Page 1 yes, that it used to be a community center of sorts. He noted the concomitant agreement for this project had not yet been signed. The zoning issue is cut and dried, assuming the applicants will save the building (which is the issue addressed by the agreement, which will be signed prior to the evening meeting), Taylor said. He discussed the changes to the agreement, which makes the applicants' obligations more clear. Discussion ensued. Taylor said the applicants would need a conditional use permit to establish a store and restaurant at the location. The applicant, Mr. Van Houten, spoke on behalf of the rezone and explained some of the plans for the property. He showed pictures of the existing building. After some discussion: JACKSON MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.. Motion carried. Van Houten said if possible. work will begin in July. 4. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW CEMETERIES AS CONDITIONAL USES IN ... (CERTAIN) ZONING DESIGNATIONS (AB90 -137) Taylor said cemeteries are not allowed in any zones, so this fills in a missing piece of the County's zoning. He listed the exceptions and said the change was prompted by a request by a church in the northern County near Blaine to establish a cemetery. Jackson and Laidlaw discussed the matter. Jackson asked if density for cemeteries ever is considered. Taylor said if someone wants to reserve land for cemeteries, that would be their business; however, the market would have some impact on such a decision. Discussion ensued. Jackson suggested that land adjacent to the airport would best be used for cemeteries. Taylor said that certainly could be added at a later date, and agreed that Jackson had a good idea. HANSEY MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. . Hansey asked if the Committee could return to item number 1, asking if the Council had met all the criteria for establishing and /or extending a moratorium. Taylor said he had not looked at the criteria again, but noted that the original moratorium had been studied and prepared by Council Member Dan Warner and the Prosecutor's Office. It had been extended once since then. Taylor said he thought as long as the County is still working on a solution and not just delaying or stalling the process, the County would be in a legitimate position to extend the moratorium again. Jackson and Hansey discussed the matter further. Deputy Public Works Director John Tyler said one of the original reasons for establishing a moratorium was the large number of sign applications expected to come P &D Minutes, 4/24/90, Page 2 in. Tyler said the environmental impact concerns were such that he thought the moratorium was justified. 5. RESOLUTION TO FORM AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW, EVALUATE AND REVISE THE COUNTY'S DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS (AB90 -152) Tyler explained the rationale and intent of creating the committee. The mission would be to review Title 21, the subdivision standards, which need to be updated, and then the County's development standards, he said. It was noted that development standards would go before the Planning Commission as well; the Committee would get them ready for such review. Discussion of the project's scope ensued. It was decided the resolution should be amended to indicate the subdivision standards also will be studied, and that the work of the committee would be considered by the Planning Commission. Jackson suggested that the title be changed to add, "prior to public and Planning Commission review." Jackson suggested two people be .added to the Committee: A citizen, and a representative of the small cities (appointed by the Council of Governments). Tyler said he did not object to the changes, and there was consensus that they would be made. Laidlaw said she had told people the resolution would not be acted on at the Council meeting later in the evening, since she had understood the resolution must be introduced on one agenda and acted upon at another meeting. Discussion ensued about the possible amendments. Tyler said realtors, developers, Buildings and Code, Planning, and the construction industry already are slated for representation on the committee. There was discussion of the need for a small city representative. It was noted that the committee would be more of a technical committee, and that general public input would come later during the process, with opportunities at several points. Discussion continued. Laidlaw talked about the May 8 growth retreat, and the possibility of either pushing the Planning and Development Committee meeting to 2 p.m. or skipping the meeting all together; it was decided the meeting would be pushed to 2 p.m. Hansey said the Committee may or may not act on a resolution the same evening it is introduced; he said generally resolutions are adopted the same evening.they are introduced. There was discussion of the process. It was decided that amendments could be made to the resolution, in case the Council wishes to take action. Laidlaw suggested the amendment to change the title and the first "Now, therefore, be it resolved" to add the words, "AND TITLE 21 OF THE WHATCOM. COUNTY CODE (SUBDIVISION STANDARDS)." There was consensus, and a .bit of discussion about impacts of the creation of the committee. Hansey suggested that after where it says that the DEVELOPMENT AND TITLE 21 (SUBDIVISION) STANDARDS..., top line, scratch "Now therefore be it resolved" and just say "BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED." There was consensus. JACKSON MOVED TO ADD TO THE MEMBERSHIP LIST A PLANNING COMMISSION OR CITIZEN REPRESENTATIVE, AND ANOTHER MEMBERSHIP SLOT FOR A SMALL CITY REPRESENTATIVE (APPOINTED THROUGH THE P &D Minutes, 4/24/90, Page 3 COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS). Hansey said eight to 10 years ago, a similar committee met regularly and on a rigid schedule. He said perhaps a Planning Commission member may not be available to serve on such a committee, in light of his /her other commitments. Discussion ensued. Laidlaw asked if the vote on the addition of the two representatives could be separate, because she did not object to the COG representative, but did not see the need for a Planning Commission member to serve. Planning Commission member: Motion failed, with Jackson in favor. COG Small Town Rep.: Motion carried unanimously. Hansey asked Tyler if in the first NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that it be made clear this is a technical advisory committee, with the committee's findings going through the public process. Hansey noted the technical committee meetings would be open to the public. HANSEY MOVED THAT THE TITLE AND THE RESOLUTION BE THUS AMENDED TO INDICATE THIS IS A TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Motion carried. The Clerk was asked to include the technical committee on meetings at a glance; the Clerk said she would need adequate notice of the meetings. Hansey urged that the resolution be passed later in the evening. Laidlaw said she is very interested in seeing the development standards revised, and said she would defer to wishes of the Committee in having the Council asked to pass the resolution. Discussion ensued. HANSEY MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL BE ASKED TO ADOPT THE SUBSTITUTE (OR AMENDED) RESOLUTION. Motion carried. 6. OTHER BUSINESS Heron Resolution: Jackson reported that all the Counties from the Puget Sound and Western districts, have endorsed a resolution to support the purchase of the heron rookery by the state. Jackson said she would report on this item at the full Council meeting. There was some discussion. The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m. ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON P &D Minutes, 4/24/90, Page 4 --u c� &"Ur WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE April 24, 1990 VOLUNTARY ATTENDANCE LIST Name Organization jAddress Elaine L. Zonbrisk (illegible) 4000 Flynn Street, Bellingham Marchele D. Harper Park Store, Rt. 2, Box 390, Cathott, VA 22019 Robert G. Van ' Houten Park Store, 4145 Blue Canyon Road, Sedro - Woolley, WA Randi L. Martin 760 West Bakerview• Road Bob Imhof County Council Larry Harris 6375 Eastwood Rd., Deming Dan Taylor Planning John Tyler Buildings and Code Paul Rushing Public Works P &D Minutes, 4/24/90, Page 5