HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development October 9 1990WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
October 9, 1990
The meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 1000
N. Forest St., by Committee Chairperson Marge Laidlaw.
Others Present: Absent:
Don Hansey None.
Emily Jackson (arrived late)
1. REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR FOURTH CORNER DEVELOPMENT
REGARDING LOCAL DEVELOPMENT MATCHING FUND PROGRAM
(AB90 -337) 121 -124
Present were Dave Bell of Fourth Corner Development, Dan Taylor of Planning and
Art Castle of the Building Industry Association. Castle, Taylor and Bell discussed the
matter with the Committee.
The Bellingham Chamber's economic development committee will provide in -kind
match, Fourth Comer will provide cash match. Art Castle said a drylands inventory will
help identify which industrially -zoned lands will be readily available for economic develop-
ment. Jackson arrived. Discussion continued. It was noted the grant is for $25,000.
HANSEY MOVED TO RATIFY AND CONFIRM THE LETTER OF OCT. 2
AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO WRITE A LETTER TO THAT EFFECT.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT ISSUES
(REQUESTED ON TENTATIVE BASIS BY DAN TAYLOR)
Taylor talked about the levels of accomplishment of the goals set forth in HB 2929,
the Growth Management legislation by the cities within Whatcom County. Lynden is far
ahead of the other small cities, but still will have difficulty meeting the deadlines set forth
by state law. Every Tuesday morning, representatives of each jurisdiction in Whatcom
County meet in the Council Chambers at 8 a.m. to coordinate and keep tabs on progress.
Taylor talked about the state money allocated for this project. His original proposal
of taking $75,000 out and dividing it equally among the jurisdictions by population hurts the
County. Jackson had proposed a way that would help the County. The funding issue is not
really being discussed at this time by the jurisdictions, Taylor said. He noted that City of
Bellingham Planning Director Bill Geyer said the City may be able to live with $200,000 to
cover the next couple of years. Discussion ensued.
Taylor said the funding issue is difficult to address because some small cities have
not been willing to spend money for planning, whereas the County and other jurisdictions
have been willing. It wouldn't be fair to hurt an entity that has planned ahead in favor of
Planning & Development Minutes, 10/9/90, Page 1
communities that have not. Jackson discussed funding cities on the basis of the need to be
brought up to speed with the new planning rule.
In early November Taylor said he hopes to present the Council with a resolution that
will result from these weekly meetings.
3. OTHER BUSINESS
Nov. 6 Committee of the Whole: Discussion took place about this meeting, whether
to have one.
Annexation: Laidlaw asked about the status of annexation in the urban fringe area;
the interlocal should've prohibited those from coming through until after urban fringe
planning. Taylor said he thought the original interlocal agreement was worthless. In any
case, the annexations are not opposed by Taylor (two) because both are residential or one
is a balance of residential and commercial. Laidlaw said she didn't think that was the issue;
it was more people understood we entered in to an agreement to do joint planning, then we
have these piecemeal annexations that may not work well with this system. If the city
stopped work on the planning process because are so busy, annexations shouldn't be
processed either. Taylor commented on this. Annexations take workload off the County
Planning staff.
Laidlaw noted that the WSAC received lots of positive feedback about the kinds of
things the County has in place already. She credited Taylor.
Castle said City of Tacoma has allocated $900,000 to meet the HB 2929 requirements
in the next three years.
There was no other business and the meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m.
ATTEST:
Ci
Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk
WHATCOM ' COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Margaret M. Laidlaw, Council Member
Planning & Development Minutes, 10/9/90, Page 2