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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development May 22 1990WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE May 22, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 1 p.m. by Committee Chairperson Marge Laidlaw. Also Present: Absent: Don Hansey Emily Jackson The Council Clerk noted that Jackson was attending an out of town meeting, but would be present for the evening Council meeting. 1.' ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ... ZONING ORDINANCE ... TO MODIFY ... RESORT COMMERCIAL AND GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL SIGN REGULATIONS, AND ... TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON OFF - PREMISE ADVERTISING SIGNS (AB90 -164) Laidlaw said she understood this .matter was brought to the Planning and Development Committee for a recommendation on whether a hearing is required. Taylor noted that the Council. could conceivably act on the ordinance later in the evening. Hansey said he wondered why a hearing would be necessary. Taylor noted that some Planning Commission members felt they needed more information in making this decision. Taylor outlined the proposed ordinance, which allows for existing signs to remain, with six years to get into conformance with County regulations. Taylor said the number of signs, 24, may not be correct. Hansey said the number of signs included could be changed to correctly indicate the number of signs in existence. Taylor said he wasn't sure if such a change would require a hearing. A new inventory of the existing signs is needed, he said, because some were erected with state permits but without county permits, and some were erected illegally during the moratorium. Discussion continued. Laidlaw said she would be willing to have this matter go forward with a recommendation for the Council's consideration. HANSEY MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT IT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. Haney said he made the motion in order to move the ordinance out of the Planning and Development Committee, since it would have died otherwise (with Jackson absent). He said he may not support the motion to have a hearing at the full Council meeting, however. It was decided that if a hearing is to take place, it could be scheduled for June 12. There was discussion. Motion carried. . 2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CHERRY POINT - FERNDALE SUBAREA COMP PLAN MAP.. AND THE OFFICIAL ... ZONING P &D Minutes, 5/22/90, Page 1 MAP ... FROM RURAL RESIDENTIAL ONE DWELLING UNIT PER ACRE TO URBAN RESIDENTIAL-FOUR DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE FOR APPROXIMATELY 17 ACRES ON THE NORTH SIDE OF WEST SMITH ROAD, APPROXIMATELY ONE -HALF MILE EAST OF THE .SMITH ROAD /I -5 INTERSECTION (AB90 -165) This also is known as the Bouma rezone. Taylor said the rezone makes sense, particularly since sewer and water soon will be available. Discussion ensued. HANSEY MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND THE ORDINANCE FOR A DO PASS TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL. Taylor noted the rezone was initiated by the owner with the intent . to subdivide (the subdivision adjoining this property is known as "Belfern "). Taylor said actually the neighboring properties would logically fit into the same zoning category, but due to the way the rezone was advertised, the Planning Commission could not consider such a change. Discussion continued. Motion carried. 3. POINT ROBERTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND RELATED DOCUMENTS On page three of the special district paperwork (dated May 17), distributed at this meeting, Taylor said he wanted clarification of the buffer limitations as related to the Bradbury property. The owners could form a planned unit development and have more flexibility in the use of the property, while protecting the trees, shorelines and views. The section under discussion in the district document was 20.72.271. Discussion took place. Taylor explained the changes reflected in the document. Taylor said he thought the Council was going to review and confirm the changes. Hansey said he thought that was correct, and the changes should be presented to the Council that evening. The map changes will be finished soon. Laidlaw noted that the paperwork had been prepared by the Planning Department staff within two working days due t6 the extra effort of that staff and the efficiency created by the Council's new laptop computer. 5. . UPDATE ON COUNTY STREET /ROAD ADDRESS SYSTEM This matter was postponed to a later meeting and the request of Buildings and Code. 6. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ON LAKE WHATCOM FORESTRY TASK FORCE FINDINGS (SEE TIM DOUGLAS LETTER DATED 4/27/90) Taylor said he would like to include this matter in the South Fork plan. Also, the growth management bill may have some affect on the guidelines that will be used. As a result, Taylor said he would prefer that the Council not act on this immediately. P &D Minutes, 5/22/90, Page 2 It would havt. a be a full -blown study a._- the Planning Commission would need to review it. Laidlaw asked when the South Fork Plan would be ready; Taylor said it is a relatively straight - forward process and a document should be presented to the Council by spring of 1991. Laidlaw said she would write a response to Douglas. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Open Space: Laidlaw noted that Jackson had been working with a subcommittee to clarify open space procedures, possibly working with Planning Department and City staff. Laidlaw had hoped for a report at this meeting, but one was not available. Sensitive Areas Ordinance: A citizens group has written a "sensitive areas" ordinance and submitted it to Laidlaw and Council Member Dan Warner, she said. Warner had been contacted about this ordinance last fall, she said. She asked if the Committee should make a formal recommendation to the Council that it be sent to the Administration for review and to appoint a blue ribbon committee. Hansey suggested that the Committee receive it and forward it to the Administration for appropriate action. Discussion continued. It was determined that Laidlaw would move that the full Council receive the letter and draft ordinance and forward it to the Executive for appropriate action. Water Quality Authority: Taylor said the authority would like to make a half hour presentation to the Council sometime in June, a courtesy presentation about the new water quality plan. Laidlaw said she would like to know more about the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority structure. After some discussion, Hansey said it should be proposed to the Council, and once a date is set the Council Clerk will be notified to schedule it on an agenda. 4. PRELIMINARY PRESENTATION OF STATE'S GROWTH LEGISLATION, BY PLANNING DIRECTOR DAN TAYLOR Taylor went into detail about the growth legislation, explaining that there were no real surprises involved for Whatcom County, which is already meeting some of the criteria set forth in the legislation. Granted, more staff will be needed to implement some of the requirements, but Taylor said this was expected. Discussion continued; it was noted that Taylor would make a similar presentation to the full Council on June 5. Laidlaw suggested that Taylor prepare a chart showing what things have been accomplished and what need to be accomplished by Whatcom County. Discussion took place about staffing needs, and the difficulty in finding qualified Planners in today's market. Taylor said consultants could be used for some of the work. Discussion ensued. There was no other business and the meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk Margaret 6m. Laidlaw, Member P &D Minutes, 5/22/90, Page 3