HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole September 8 1988WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Thursday, September 8, 1988
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Councilman
Corky Johnson, with Council members Dan Warner, Mary Vanderpol
and Tom Burton present. Emily Jackson, Will Roehl and Don Hansey
were absent.
1'
Cente��Dgy .e�.�omg,�t,_.�thor.i.t,v
The report was delayed, with approval from Council Chairman
Will Roehl, until the Council's October 6 regular meeting.
W ea o m .
a
re P. el vP..J
Carl Batchelor of the Planning Department presented the
comprehensive plan, explaining that it provides for 600 percent
growth in the Foothills subarea (this figures exceeds any growth
estimates for the next four years). About 25 percent of the
acreage is suitable for residential development. This is the
second largest subarea (behind Lynden - Nooksack Subarea).
Batchelor handed out a table for development potential.
Johnson asked why the general protection plan is being
eliminated when there has been no problem. Batchelor said
planning is preventative, and that this subarea is a part of the
overall planning process for the County. Southfork Valley and
Point Roberts subareas are next.
Batchelor said has heard people are moving here from
California "in droves," and that he knows first -hand how far
people are willing to drive from home to work, so it's possible
much growth will occur in the Foothills in the future.
Regarding the Tomyhoi Associates development proposal (for
multi- family, six dwelling units per acre): Batchelor said this
permit, originally granted in 1978 and extended numerous times,
has expired. He does not think this is an appropriate use at
this time.
Warner said the Council does not need to have a public
hearing if there are no changes to the plan. However, he asked
other Council members if there were any areas they would like to
see addressed in a public hearing.
There was extensive discussion of cottage industries, and
the need for developed sewer systems in certain areas of the
subarea.
Committee of the Whole, 9/8/88, Page 2
WARNER MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO THE FULL
COUNCIL THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING BE ON DEFINITION CHANGES IN TERMS
OF COTTAGE INDUSTRIES, THE TOMYHOI ASSOCIATES ISSUE, AND THE
MOSQUITO LAKE ROAD AREA
Motion carried.
Taylor explained that this discussion sprang from the
Planning and Development Committee's interest in taking a fresh
look at open space applications, and from the planning staff's
interest in re- evaluating the public benefit rating system.
What we need is some direction; do you want us to do more?
Out of 129 parcels, Planning Commission has re- evaluated all but
nine. To cover the issues: (1) Open Space timber, should you
need to hand in a management plan? In the past we have given no
points for no plan, seven points for any plan. Some weren't very
good. Want to be more variable in scoring; (2) Public Access, it
is hard to give good credit for good access, and vice versa.
Property owners had right to set their own rules for access. We
should be able to score them on the basis of their rules; (3)
Contiguous parcels, we make each parcel be considered separately;
(4) Public access should not be a requirement, some people say.
(5) Endangered species = no public access needed. Eagles should
be considered endangered. (6) Should one attribute overshadow all
other traits? (7) System is way too complex, no one can
understand it some people say. But it is a privilege; people
have to work the problem if they want in the program. (8)
Marketplace drives development more than the ease or difficulty
of getting open space.
The county will have $40,000 more in taxes than it did
before re- evaluation.
Burton said the Planning and Development Committee is
satisfied that things are progressing on the right track.
WARNER MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO THE FULL
COUNCIL THAT THE PLANNING STAFF BE ASKED TO TAKE A LOOK AT TIMBER
MANAGEMENT PLANS, PUBLIC ACCESS, CONTIGUOUS PARCELS, AND THAT RE-
EVALUATION OF OPEN SPACE PARCELS BE HELD IN ABEYANCE UNTIL THEIR
TASK IS COMPLETED. BURTON ADDED THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD ENDORSE
THE PUBLIC BENEFIT EVALUATION SYSTEM.
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNT , WASHINGTON
Ramona Reeves, C.J. "Corky" Johnson, member
Clerk of the Council
r
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF FHE WHOLE
September 8, 1988
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Councilman Corky
Johnson, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Chairman Will Roehl.
Also present were Council members Dan Warner, Tom Burton and Mary Vanderpol.
Don Hansey and Emily Jackson were absent.
The monthly update by City Center Development Authority on the juvenile
detention center project was cancelled. The report will be given at the
October 6 Council meeting.
WORK SESSION ON THE FOOTHILLS SUBAREA PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Planner Carl Batchelor made the staff presentation on the plan.
The committee reviewed the development of the plan and its salient
points.
WARNER MOVED THAT THE PLAN BE ADOPTED, EXCEPT THAT THE COUNCIL
SHOULD HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING ISSUES REGARDING THE PLAN:
THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE REVISED DEFINITIONS OF "COTTAGE INDUSTRIES ";
THE ZONING CRITERIA FOR THE TOMYHOI ASSOCIATES PLANNED DEVELOPMENT; AND
THE RESIDENTIAL DENSITY ALLOWANCES IN THE MOSQUITO LAKE ROAD AREA.
Motion carried.
DISCUSSION OF OPEN SPACE CLASSIFICATIONS
The committee considered the Public Benefit Rating System for
Open Space, and reviewed the planning commission and planning and
development committee's recommendations. The Committee recommends to the
full Council that we reaffirm our endorsement of the PBR system. Also, it
request the Administration to consider for further review and refinement
the four issues set out here, and in the meantime for further re- evalu-
ation:
1. Timber management plans (make a requirement and evaluate
adequacy.
2. Public access.
3. Mechanism to modify rating if conditions change.
4. Contiguous parcels, analyze options.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL,
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Ramona Reeves, C.J. "Corky" Johnson, member
Clerk of the Council