HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development July 5 1989WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 5, 1989
The meeting was called to order to order at 11 a.m. by member Will Roehl
with member Emily Jackston present. Committee Chairman Tom Burton was absent.
Also present were Dan Taylor, Planning; Barbara Cory, Treasurer; Gordon Parberry;
Marge Laidlaw; and Robert Tull, Attorney.
3. DISCUSSION OF GORDON PARBERRY REQUEST FOR REZONE
Taylor explained that having a heavy industrial zoning with 100 feet
setbacks makes Parberry's property almost unusable. Parberry stated that It was
light manufacturing of light industrial before; when it was changed to heavy
industrial, he was not aware of the large setback requirements. Roehl stated
that he would prefer to have this property returned to light industrial at
County expense.
JACKSON MOVED TO FORWARD THIS MATTER TO THE FULL COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
4. NEILSON REZONE
Robert Tull stated that a long time ago, Gordon Neilson applied to build
a store for appliances and appliance repair on his property in Point Roberts.
Last summer this Council approved the creation of a new plan designation called
limited commercial; that prompted a suit by one of the neighbors, Jim Kuntz.
The question was whether there needed to be an additional environmental
checklist. Serka, representing Kuntz, agreed to accept the original designation
(Community Commercial) that Neilson requested but have asked Neilson to sign a
covenant restricting the property uses to retail commercial uses, service uses
and office related uses. It expressly prohibits gas stations, grocery stores,
etc. Taylor stated that if they stay with Limited Commercial, the zone the
hearing was conducted on, rather than Community Commercial, they may be able to
avoid another hearing. It would be like a rezone with a concomitant agreement.
This would be binding on this property for five years but forever for gas
station use. Tull asked if it could remain with Limited Commercial with the
covenant added as a concomitant agreement. It was decided that Tull, Taylor,
Serka and a representative of the presecutors office would meet and try to solve
the differences and return on July 19 for the Planning and Development
Committee. This will be on the July 20 Council agenda.
2. DISCUSSION OF THE MEh1O FROM KEN BROWN, DEPUTY ASSESSOR REGARDING
NEW OPEN SPACE APPLICATION
Taylor stated that the staff cost was about $250 per application and that
is not including Council Office and Assessor Office staff time. Roehl said he
feels the County should not be subsidizing applications. Jackson suggested
charging $200 with a $100 refund if it was denied; this would provide some risk
to the applicant. Taylor stated he could try to do a more accurate break -down
and bring a proposal back. There was concensus to have Planning work on this
and report back in the Fall.
Planning and Development, 7 -5 -89, Page 2
1. DISCUSSIONS WITH BARBARA CORY, TREASURER REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY
OF SENDING NOTICES WITH THE TAX NOTICES ALERTING PROPERTY OWNERS OF
PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES
Cory explained that adding one piece of paper to the tax notices
would put the cost up 20 cents per item. Notices are mailed by zip code by a
mailing service so it would be difficult to isolate subareas; some owners have
multiple properties and live outside the County. Cory said a message could be
placed on the back flap of the envelope which would go to everyone County -wide.
Jackson suggested that there could be town meetings planned with Council members
present to alert the people of the upcoming rezone. Roehl asked Taylor to alert
the Council when a town meeting was being planned in the future. Jackson said
the County may have to use the media more. Postcards were also considered, but
are no longer much cheaper than bulk mail. Roehi suggested Taylor report back
with a recommendation in the Fall.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:59 a.m.
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William P. Roehl, Member