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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development November 27 1990WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE November 27, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest St., by Committee Chairperson Marge Laidlaw. Also Present: Absent: Don Hansey Emily Jackson 1. RECOMMENDED DENIAL OF REQUEST TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FROM RURAL -ONE DWELLING PER TEN ACRES TO RURAL ONE DWELLING PER FIVE ACRES FOR AN AREA SMALLER THAN THE ORIGINALLY REQUESTED 1350 ACRES IN THE BIRCH BAY -BLAINE SUBAREA (AB90 -197A) Laidlaw said the item is scheduled for hearing later in the evening. Attorney Bob Tull requested the hearing be continued; Planning Director Dan Taylor said he had no objection because of a conflicting meeting of the Planning Commission. HANSEY MOVED TO RECOMMEND OPENING THE HEARING AND CONTINUING IT TO THE DECEMBER 4 MEETING. Motion carried unanimously. 2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP FROM R10A TO R5A FOR APPROXIMATELY 19.7 ACRES ON WEST LAUREL ROAD (AB90 -394) Taylor explained this issue; he said the contract referred to in the packet has been signed. Tull said he represented the applicant and commented briefly in favor of the matter. Laidlaw asked questions, to which Taylor and Tull responded. LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE. Motion carried unanimously. 3. REVIEW OF PLANNING COMMISSION'S DENIAL OF A REZONE FOR 116 ACRES IN THE CHERRY POINT - FERNDALE SUBAREA (WEST AXTON, WASCHKE, AND WEST SMITH ROADS) (AB90 -395) Laidlaw said she is consistently seeing the Planning Commission members abstaining from votes without providing adequate reasons. There was some discussion; it was noted by Laidlaw that a person should abstain if he or she has a conflict of interest, but for few other reasons. Discussion continued. P &D Minutes, 11/27/90, Page 1 She said both the Planning Commission and staff recommended denial. Carl Batchelor of Planning said the applicant had not contacted the department prior to the application being filed; attorney Phil Serka, representing the applicant, corrected Batchelor, saying he had spoken with Taylor. There was discussion of a potential conflict with the water association. Serka introduced Mel Walton, who represented property owners who applied for the rezone. Serka went over the proposal, which the applicants thought would make sense because of some zoning changes since 1981, when it was originally zoned (including the extension of a water main into the area and the upgrade of a local water reservoir). He said the applicants suggested a compromise; if RR1 is too dense for the area, perhaps R2A (one dwelling unit for two acres) would work better. They requested the Council have a hearing on this possibility, which would then enable the Council to consider adoption of the compromise measure. This compromise was not brought forward initially. Walton spoke on behalf of the proposal. There was discussion. It was noted the Planning Commission could consider a compromise if it had another hearing. Taylor said staff doesn't necessarily favor R2, but the Council could initiate such an investigation. Hansey said the Growth Management legislation seems to indicate a need for either larger parcels of land or more densely populated areas. Conversely, Laidlaw said she felt the legislation was reason for upholding the Planning Commission's denial. LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION OF DENIAL. She said such a rezone may be premature at this time; she may favor such a change at a later date, after certain issues have been addressed. There was some discussion. Motion carried unanimously. 4. REVIEW OF PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDED DENIAL OF REQUEST TO AMEND THE LAKE WHATCOM SUBAREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP AND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FROM FORESTRY TO RURAL AND RURAL -ONE DWELLING UNIT PER FIVE ACRES FOR A 19 ACRE PARCEL (AB90 -396) Taylor noted the Council did not get the full packet of information, and is missing a few pages of the staff report. Laidlaw noted this was another case in which improper abstentions took place. Planning Commission summaries are very helpful, she noted. The applicant had applied for a logging permit, then a year later wanted to convert the land; Serka pointed out that the logging had never taken place as planned. The parcel juts into surrounding forestry areas. Taylor said the area is fairly steep and is located within the Lake Whatcom watershed. It was decided the Committee would recommend that the Planning Commission be upheld. P &D Minutes, 11/27/90, Page 2 5. PROPOSAL FOR COUNTY -WIDE ADDRESSING SYSTEM (BY JOHN TYLER, DEPUTY PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, AND STAFF) (AB90 -201) Tyler gave an abbreviated presentation, noting he would explain the full proposal to the Council that night. He distributed two things: A 1991 cost estimate for addressing, based on a six-month period; and a packet explaining the proposal (both on file with agenda bill). He said he estimated 250 signs could be erected in a six-month period in 1991. The total amount requested for funding of this program is $53,828. Laidlaw asked where the money for this program would come from. Tyler said he would request that it be funded on a priority basis from any additional revenues available. He said this may not be possible, however, due to the intensive flooding damage suffered in the region during the past two weeks. Hansey left the room. Laidlaw said the minutes from the June and October Planning and Development meetings indicated a plan would be developed for contacting the public; she asked when this would be ready. Tyler said it would be formed after staff became available to work on it, and the Post Office would help with the effort to some degree. The system probably would be explained at public meetings in the regions being changed. Tyler said he would like the Council to endorse the concept, encourage Public Works to undertake the project, and support funding for the program if available. Laidlaw questioned him further, asking if once the grid is created new addresses could be assigned under the new grid system immediately; Tyler said yes. Tyler said he would say the need for this comprehensive addressing system is very high in terms of the public health, safety and welfare. Growth has occurred with such speed, the corresponding impact on emergency response agencies is almost unmanageable. Discussion continued. Hansey returned. Laidlaw asked if he agreed that the proposal should be recommended as Tyler requested; he said yes. The meeting was adjourned at 2:58 p.m. ATTEST: i Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Marge � idlaw, Member P &D Minutes, 11/27/90, Page 3 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE September 25, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 2:15 p.m. in the Council Meeting Room by Committee Chairperson Marge Laidlaw. Also Present: Absent: Don Hansey None. Emily Jackson 1. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING WETLAND POLICIES AND REGULATIONS TO BE USED UNTIL SUCH TIME AS WHATCOM COUNTY HAS A WETLANDS ORDINANCE (AB90 -317) 114 -119 Laidlaw asked for comments from Jerry Mixon, of Buildings and Code, and Dan Taylor, Planning Director. Mixon said the version in the Council's packet was not the version signed by John Tyler, Buildings and Code Director. Haney requested that copies be made for the Council members to consider. Jackson left the room to get this done. Discussion took place. Mixon said after HB 2929 was adopted, it became apparent the County was operating without any policies to deal with wetlands. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does have regulations in place, and encouraged cities and counties to be alert to the presence of wetlands. Mixon explained how the proposed policy came about. It is written to provide consistency among the Public Works division, but is not meant to serve any other purpose. A more comprehensive policy will be needed to meet state standards. Laidlaw said earlier in the summer it became clear to her that some policies were needed at least as an interim measure because the public did not have any way to know what the County's policy was. This policy will help people work through the existing process, and revisions will come forward in the future to better address critical areas of the County. Mixon noted differences between the two version of the policy; Mixon said number two adds reference to a map. Page 117 of the packet is a draft memo directing people to consult with the Corps of Engineers. A newer draft is available; Jackson left the room to make copies. Doug Campbell, 1401 Astor Street, addressed the Committee. He noted some confusing language in item number 9B on the third page. Mixon explained the intent of the language. Mixon asked the Council to throw out the wetlands policy that was not signed by Tyler. Laidlaw said she had prepared questions based on the old draft of the policy. She asked about item 1 and item 3; Mixon noted again this policy was created for use by Public Works staff, a stop -gap measure. Therefore, there may be in- consistencies present in the Department's wetlands policy. Tyler arrived. Laidlaw noted the inconsistency between the draft in the packet and the draft provided by Mixon. Jackson said she did not think the policy helped uncomplicate issues. She felt County employees may be assuming too much responsibility. Mixon P &D Minutes, 9/25/90, Page 1 responded. Jackson commented. Mixon said this policy would be used until the Planning Department develops more formal policies; whether the County adopts the resolution or not, Public Works would use the policy, he said. Laidlaw said she had some amendments prepared for the resolution. A copy of her proposed changes are on file. She said it makes sense to acknowledge the existing procedure as an interim measure. Jackson commented. Discussion took place among Taylor, Jackson, Laidlaw. HANSEY MOVED THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO THE FULL COUNCIL, WITH AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY LAIDLAW. Jackson and Laidlaw discussed the matter. Haney commented. It was agreed that a procedure was being established, not a policy, and it will be an interim measure. Art Castle suggested correction of a typo under item 4, putting a "d" at the end of proposed. He asked a question of Mixon, and Mixon responded. Motion carried 2 -1, with Jackson opposed. 2. OTHER BUSINESS Bakerview: Taylor presented a memo indicating the Bakerview rezone is on hold; a copy is on file. Discussion ensued. The meeting was adjourned at 3 p.m. ATTEST: Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON \ 1 ! Margaret . Laidlaw, Member P &D Minutes, 9/25/90, Page 2