HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services October 19 1989WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PUBLIC SERVICES AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE
October 19, 1989
The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Council Member Corky Johnson.
Council Members Mary Vanderpol and Dan Warner were present.
1. REQUEST TO VACATE A PLATTED COUNTY ROAD KNOWN AS
DIVISION STREET LYING BETWEEN ALLAN'S ROAD & CORDATA
PARKWAY, AKA WOODS ROAD, FILED BY WHATCOM COM-
MUNITY COLLEGE (CONTINUED FROM 9/21 AND 1015 MEET-
INGS) (SEE NOTE OF EXPLANATION IN COUNCIL PACKET)
A letter from the Council Clerk, explaining that a revised petition had been filed
but had not yet been reviewed by the Engineer nor the City of Bellingham, was read (on
file: ROAD VACATIONS /DIVISION STREET). The Clerk, in her letter, said that due
to concerns raised by Engineer Ed Henken about the petition (which he had not seen)
she recommended that action be delayed until the revised petition were reviewed.
Wendy Baulke of the state Attorney General's Office, said she and Community
College President Harold Heiner were present to answer any questions by Committee
members. She said the decision on this matter had been delayed, at the College's
request, because discussions with developer Robert Jones and the City had been
underway. It was her understanding, she said, that the City approved of the revised
petition. The legal description accompanying the petition is for less land than was
originally requested, she said.
Nassar Mansour, Engineering, said he didn't think Engineering would object to
such a proposal. However, he noted, a professional appraisal of the property had not
been done. He said he did not believe that Henken would object to the proposal.
Warner recommended that the matter be carried forward for public hearing. He
said he wondered if it were a problem that an appraisal had not been done.
Vanderpol asked Mansour if an appraisal was needed to establish the property
value. Mansour said the amount recommended by the Engineer, for the original
property requested, was $42,000 or $1.50 per square foot. Baulke said the revised
petition asked for 14,524 square feet. Heiner said they had requested the property revert
to the College at no cost, but they were willing to pay something for the land.
Warner suggested a cost of $21,700 for the revised proposal. He said the County
does, at times, give away "little slivers" of land, but that this property was more
substantial. Johnson reminded Warner that the Council had the latitude to give the land
away. Vanderpol said the County should be consistent in this policy.
VANDERPOL MOVED THAT THE PROPERTY BE VACATED FOR THE
PRICE OF $21,700, SUBJECT TO THE OUTCOME OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Vanderpol asked Baulke on what basis does she say Bellingham has no objection
to the vacation. She said Bill Hager has been meeting with Ray Weden and Dick
Langaberr about how the land should be used. She said the City proposed that Mr.
Jones be required to put the road through his property, which would involve land that
the College is not asking to have vacated. She said the vacation would be consistent
Public Services, 10/19/89, Page 2
with that request. Vanderpol asked if the neighboring property owners and the City are
satisfied with the Community College's revised request. Baulke nodded. Some discussion
continued.
2. OTHER BUSINESS
Roederland: Janet Sperry said she had appeared before the Committee in August
to ask about plans for oil coating Roederland. Paul Rushing said he would have a
proposed policy change ready in a month, she said, and she asked why it hadn't yet been
given to the Council. She asked why Public Works was stalling. Deputy Public Works
Director John Tyler said Marlen Hansen had been working with him on a proposed
policy, along with costs, for citizens who want to help pay for improvements to their
roads beyond what is being proposed by the County. He said he planned to bring it to
the Executive the next week, and that it probably would be available for the November
2 meeting. Discussion ensued.
Johnson asked that this item be placed on the November 2 agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
--c' �- c4l�
C.J. "Corky" Jo on, Member