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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development February 1 1989WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE February 1, 1989 The meeting was called to order by Committee Chairman Tom Burton with member Emily Jackson present. Will Roehl was absent. Also present were Dan Taylor and Carl Batchelor, Planning; Ed Henken, Engineering; Lee Murphy, KGMI; Albert and Sheila Marshall and Charles Evans of Lummi Island; Martin Keeley and Glynnis Christie of Point Roberts. ORDINANCE IMPOSING A MORATORIUM_ ON THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OR EXPANSION OF GAS STATIONS AT POINT ROBERTS Taylor stated that there were three different options being put forward: (1) a 30 day emergency interim moratorium, (2) a one year moratorium and (3) a zoning code change. Taylor will be explaining these options at both the Council meeting February 7 at 7 p.m. and the Public Hearing in Point Roberts on February 9 at 7 p.m. Henken mentioned the land use along Tyee Drive. Originally this was , meant to be used as a storage lane but is now used as a regular lane. Often both lanes are blocked for some distance at the entry to Canada. The only way to make another lane would be to enclose drains and gutters which is very costly and not on the 6 year plan. RESOLUTION REVISING THE PUBLIC BENEFIT RATING SYSTEM USED BY WHATCOM COUNTY TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR OPEN SPACE AND TIMBER APPLICATIONS PURSUANT TO RCW 84.34 Batchelor discussed the progress that has been made on the proposed system. Both Burton and Jackson are concerned with the language "timber harvest" in the document. Taylor says original intent was to log rather than suburbanize. Batchelor stated that even after clear cutting and replanting, the property would still be considered as forestry so would qualify for a tax break. Burton felt we should add a "preservation" clause. Mrs. Marshall objected to the sign; she felt it attracted the casual as opposed to the concerned visitor. There was some suggestion that each owner could add his own list of requirements on the sign including a statement that the owner must give permission for entry. Mrs. Marshall suggested keeping a list and map of open space permits at the planning department, library, etc. and then only concerned people would go to the bother of finding them. The sign with OPEN SPACE in large print and the restrictions in small print attracts people looking for a place to party and puts a lot of liability on the property owner. Mr. Marshall listed his objections to the idea of the public rating system in an attached letter.