HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development August 14 1989WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
August 14, 1989
The meeting was called to order at 1 :00 p.m. by committee chairman Tom
Burton with members Will Roehl and Emily Jackson present. Others present were
Dan Taylor, Diane Harper, Planning; Roger DeSpain, Park; Pat Jones; Art Nelson;
and Dale Krause.
1. ORDINANCE ADOPTING A COMPREHENSIVE PARK AND RECREATION OPEN SPACE
PLAN AND ADOPTING A SIX -YEAR PARK AND RECREATION OPEN SPACE CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR 1990 TO 1996
DeSpain handed out copies of the new plan. Burton asked if the County had
any binding obligation to purchase any property recommended if they adopt this
plan. DeSpain stated that as each request comes to the Council, it would have
the option of determining if it was acceptable and if the funding was adequate.
This document will be updated annually; this is required by State laws and
makes the Park and Recreation Department eligible for State grants. Having the
list of properties that the Park and Recreation Department might be interested
in acquiring helps the Planning Department in their overall comprehensive
planning of the County. There was some discussion of the proposed fee increase;
it was decided that it shouidn't be an automatic annual 10% increase but should
be looked at each year and determined at that time.
Jackson stated she was concerned with the extensive use of the Nooksack
River for trails. She said there is a fine Iine between pubiic access and
allowing the Nooksack to be ruined. Jackson said she is against Federal uses
as they would impact the Ag zones. She definitely would prefer a smaller
section of the river be considered. Jackson stated that in the plan it reads
"we shall work with the State and Federal governments to pursue
designation... every effort to implement the Nooksack River plan." She feels
it's too late once that is accepted; all the river bottom is prime ag land and
they are doing their utmost to maintain it as such. This will not be possible
if we have such an extensive trail system. Jackson asked if a certain segment
of the river could be designated rather than the whole area; she also disagreed
with putting a trail system in the long term flood plan. DeSpain said that if
it were designated as a trail system, it would be maintained better than it is
now because we would have a law enforcement agency to police the trails.
DeSpain agreed to work on that segment quoted by Jackson and come back before
the Council meeting August 17 with better language.
Roehl asked that DeSpain reword the fee increase section of the plan to
state that any increase would have to be discussed and approved; he also asked
that the last two sentences in 9. of VII - 48 in the proposed plan be deleted.
(They stated that the reserve at the end of a year go Into a maintenance fund
and not be returned to the General Fund as is now the case.)
Burton said he had hoped to see more programming. DeSpain said the
current Park concept is not into sports and if it was, there would be a need for
more space or money to rent buildings. DeSpain said he feels we need to acquire
Planning and Development, 8- 14 -89, page 2
both saltwater and trail properties before they are priced beyond our
capabilities. Programming could be added at a later date if that was the
direction we wanted to go. Jackson asked when we would say we have acquired
enough. DeSpain said when people stop visiting and moving here in the staggering
numbers they presently do. Taylor said that the voters decide that at the polls.
Roehl stated that he was in favor of space acquisition.
Jackson said most parks she visits have many paying RV sites that bring
in a lot of revenue; we need to develop more recreational vehicle spaces that
will more than pay their own way. Jackson gave DeSpain a letter from a Point
Roberts residents discussing the Park situation there.
ROEHL MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION TO THE COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY URBAN FRINGE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP FROM URBAN RESIDENTIAL TO RURAL AND AMENDING
THE OFF I CI AL ZONI NG MAP FROM URBAN RES I DENTI AL -4 TO RURAL -5 ACRE FOR
APPROXIMATELY 12 ACRES SOUTH OF MOUNT BAKER HIGHWAY AND WEST OF OLD
BRITTON ROAD
Taylor explained that the new owners wish to build a horse arena which is
permitted in R5. They would rent spaces, have practice times, have shows, etc.
It was determined that it would not impact homes because it is isolated by the
power lines and Mount Baker Highway.
JACKSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION TO COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
3. NELSON REZONE
Mr. Nelson said that he had been taken off open space -open space. Burton
stated that there had been some difficulty getting to the nicer parts of the
property because of dogs and the front area had not been well kept.
Mr. Nelson had opted out of OS -OS during the window of time that he would
not have to pay penalties. He was told that if he could correct the problems
and make certain there would be public access, he could re- apply.
4. MAGRATH ROAD VACATION DISCUSSION
Taylor explained the resolution that he produced. Taylor said he had met
with the City staff and it had not been totally satisfactory. The main
direction of the resolution is to maintain Magrath as a general access road
only; allow no direct connection to Mount Baker Highway; have no connection
north beyond Northern Heights until East West road such as McLeod Road can be
developed; consider Westview Road as a collector route; have 3 way stops to slow
traffic; Jones' transportation study; and City /County study of the whole area.
Jones stated the Hearing Examiner will come to no conclusion until the Council
decides on Magrath Road. This will impact the developer economically as a delay
will add to the cost of each lot. He recommends a change in the Magrath Road
from general collector to local access only.
Planning and Development, 8- 14 -89, page 3
5. NEILSON REZONE
Neilson wants to accept the original ordinance with a one -word change.
It originally specified two parcels but the one word change would make it
applicable to the Neilson property only. It will have to say "northwest"
instead of west side of Tyee Drive. A one -word minor change does not require
a hearing so this will be ready for a decision September 7.
Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
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Barbara Maher, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Tom Burton, Member