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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development July 31 1989WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE July 31, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by W i l l Roehl with Emil y Jackson present. Tom Burton was absent. Others present were Don Hansey; Dan Taylor, Planning; Roger.DeSpain,.Park; John Tyler, Ed Henken, Public Works; Bob Tulll Craig Hayes; Larry Harris;;' at Jones,,,,. 2. REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF PLANOfNG COMMI,SSION'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE LYNDEN $ORDER CR$.(SI NG REZONE TO TOAST COMMFRCI AL Taylor explained this request did go. §efore the Planning Commission; there were only six members('present. ::: Three voted with the staff recommendation against the rezone; two..voted fof° the rezone and one person abstained. Hayes would tike to proceed with a traffic study and a SEPA study then bring it before the Council. there would be throe and a half acres of area that are presently wooded and not used for agriculture that would be used in this project. Initially Mr. Mixon said there was no need for an E.1 S. so a declaration of non - Significance was issued. Soon after there was a change in the staff attitude and the staff became very concerned with the traffic impacts. Hayes would like some assurance that it would be rezoned if they spend several thousands of dollars on a traffic study. It could be rezoned but no building permits issued until a specific project is presented, a traffic study has been made and if necessary an environmental impact statement made. There have been cases upheld where this route was followed. The Council would still have full authority over whether any development would happen. Hayes said they would put a gas station and minimart off the Guide so it would not impede or affect the border traffic. Tull represents three dairy farmers in the area who are opposed to any development. Tull commended the staff for a well prepared staff report. Tull feels that commercial development in this area would impact the commerce in Lyndon. Tull stated that the plan for this commercial area would eventually include: a gas station; minimart; auto parts store; carwash; and small shopping center of 9 shops including a restaurant. He states that there is a concern by the Canadian Customs that the more development there is, the more casual border crossing there will be. The Commission voted this project down for the above reasons. Jackson said she was totally opposed to this project and would not support it unless the Guide was widened to four lanes. She stated that the Ag zone needs to be protected and is a good buffer at this time. Hayes asked if traffic is the problem or is it encroachment into Ag zones. Roehl stated his concern about the low turnouts at the Planning Commission with only six out of nine present. He does think the whole Council should hear this. Taylor said it is dead now but if the Council brings it up for review, the applicants will have to comply with a SEPA review. Council could hear it or send it back to the Planning Commission. Hayes said they would comply with a SEPA review. Tull said he felt it undermines the Planning Commission by keeping it alive. Roehl wants it to go before the full Council with no recommendation. Jackson disagreed. Roehl said he wlII get support to have it on an upcoming agenda with no recommendation. Taylor said he would like a formal appeal process instituted to avoid this situation. Planning and Development Committee, 7/31/89, page 2 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 (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT; WILL APPEAR ON 7/31 AGENDA AS WELL AS THE 8/14 AGENDA) Taylor explained the proposed changes on the handout. On d. the Planning department and Park Board have agreed that the word "Bay" should be eliminated to read Upper Chuckanut and Lower Chuckanut; this would make it more generic. He stated that in f. the ORV statements were highlighted so they could be seen. There is no change in wording. In b. (1) there were some questions about fee increases. DeSpain said the fees should be reviewed each year and raised when appropriate. In b.- (2) Jackson stated the committee could not state that a certain percentage of the budget could be targeted for certain purposes or that left over money be left in the department. Tull stated that he represents a client and does not want it to be considered favoritism so would like it more generic. Taylor says the revised plan will be out on the 9th. 3. RESOLUTION OF INTENT IN THE MATTER OF THE VACATION AND ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF MAGRATH ROAD LOCATED IN THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 15, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 3 EAST, W.M. (WAS REFERRED BACK TO COMMITTEE 7/20 AFTER PUBLIC HEARING) Roehl explained that the Council does want some assurance that if Magrath is not vacated, it will not be developed until there is an alternate north -south access developed. Jackson stated that we need an alternate access route. She wondered if not vacated, should it be kept as a "park area so the County would retain ownership. Jackson said that Corky Johnson had said if it is vacated, the County would lose it forever so an alternative should be examined. Jones said the Magrath owners do not want their road to interconnect with other major roads but do not necessarily want it closed to inside movement. He further stated there is an urgent need for the County to have a comprehensive traffic plan. His firm has undertaken a traffic study of that section with a 10 -15 year scope including circulation. Jones showed a map of the area in question, showing Burns Way as an east-west arterial that probably will go in during the next 3 -4 years. Northern Heights proposes to build McLeod Just inside the project as a collector street from Britton to the west side of the project. It would be inappropriate to use Magrath as a feeder street to the south. if it is established that a connector from Alabama to Sunset is required, an alignment such as Westview is the best as far as McLeod and then perhaps northwesterly through the DNR property may be best. Northern Heights prefers a road to the west in the City that connects to McLeod and out to Sunset possibly at Dewey. A through street from Alabama to Sunset in the City is preferable and there seems to be City support for this. The Council should make it clear by ordinance that Magrath shall not directly connect to Sunset. Jackson said we need more input and assurance from the City. Jones asked if Jackson would be more comfortable it the City would state in their Comp plan that Westview would go through to Burns Way. Taylor said he would meet with the City and report .back with options. Planning and Development, 7/31/89, page 3 4. NEILSON REZONE Tull reviewed the request and stated that the designation of limited commercial would meet the needs of this request. He proposed that he prepare an ordinance which will be reviewed by Taylor and Watts to have this zoned as limited commercial. This will be site specific without reference to the covenant. The committee agreed with this plan. Meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON L Bar ra Maher, Council rk William P. Roehl, Member