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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council June 16 1988WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL June 16, 1988 The meeting was called to order by Council Chair Roehl at 7 :00 p.m. with Burton, Hansey and Warner present. The minutes of the meeting of June 2, 1988 were approved. EXECUTIVE ITEMS NEkl APPLICATION FOR A QLASS 11 (BED AND BREAKFAST.). LIQUOR LICENS BY DQNNA STREVELL ANDJEROONT HATCH MCALLISTER FOR, SCHN,&U.Zg CROSSING BED AND BREAKFAST,.4421 A DRIVE, N HA. The applications had not been reviewed by the Public Services Committee because the meeting of that Committee had been canceled. BURTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION. The motion carried. NEW APPLICATION FOR A CLASS H LI.QUOR L Y. H GEORGE FERGUSON, BRUCE W. KITSCH AND , EN,RY. IT N DE VOSS FO, LARRY'S OYSTER AND PASTA BAR. 4874 BIRCH BAY- LYNDEN ROAD. BLAINE. ►:LI•AM11[6-M WARNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION. Warner explained that he had talked to the applicant and to opponents of the application, and that the opponents' concerns had been satisfied and their objection had been withdrawn. There was discussion on the motion. The motion carried. REQUEST FOR NEW POSITION FOR COMBINED TREA The Executive explained the need for the position, and stated that client fees would cover the salary and benefits. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended that the Council authorize the position to be filled. WARNER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE TO FILL THE POSITION. The motion carried. June 16, 1988 Page 2 ••••• •• ;_ •• ,• •• • •; MUMS= The Executive distributed signed copies of the Committee's recommendation, and explained the rationale for recommending that the proposal not be accepted. She also read a letter from Christopher Homes, Inc., in which they requested that the Council reconsider the Committee's decision. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended that the Council adopt the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation. WARNER MOVED TO CONCUR WITH THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO REJECT THE PROPOSAL. There was discussion on the motion. The motion carried. HEARINGS The public hearing on the resolution was opened; there was no testimony and the hearing was closed. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval of the resolution. WARNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried. R SOL TI N IN THE HA U NTY COMPREHENS YEAR ROAD PROGRAM FOR THE YEARS 1989. THROUGH.. 1,99 County Engineer Ed Henken briefly discussed the program and answered questions from Council Members. Executive Van Zanten discussed the implications for the road construction program if the City of Bellingham's annexation program were to become a reality. The public hearing on the resolution was opened; there was no testimony and the hearing was closed. The resolution had not been reviewed by the Public Services Committee because the meeting of that Committee had been canceled. June 16, 1988 Page 3 BURTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried. R&SELINNO" ME IN 3019000# M- The public hearing on the ordinance was opened. Mr. Morgan Representative for San Juan Cable Co. Stated that he was available to answer any questions. Mike Melcher 3633 Haxton Way 7 Inquired about installation costs for residences set far back from the road'. Morgan responded that residents would be charged by the foot for the cable. Arnie Klaus 109 21st St., Bellingham Asked if public access channels would be provided. Morgan stated that it was the intent of the company to provide such channels. There was no further testimony and the hearing was closed. The ordinance had not been reviewed by the Public Services Committee because the meeting of that Committee had been cancelled. The Executive stated that the Public Works Director recommended adoption of the ordinance. WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. There was discussion on the motion. The motion carried unanimously. SUBSTITUTE R NAN AMENDING H TEXT OF-TITLE 20, THE.OFFICIA WHATCOM COUNTY, ZONING CQDEj TO ALLOW RESEARCH, F - I N .' H GENERAL MANUFACTURING ZONE Planning Director Dan Taylor explained the history and purpose of the ordinance. June 16, 1988 Page 4 The public hearing on the ordinance was opened. Barbara Brenner 5617 Northwest Road Asked what kind of research the applicant for the rezone intended to do. Planning Director Taylor explained that the applicant, Western Washington University's Institute of Wildlife Toxicology, tested pesticides on quail. There was no further testimony and the hearing was closed. Burton reported that the Planning and Development Committee recommended adoption of the ordinance. BURTON MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried unanimously. PEN SESSIO Jim Maricle 3326 Cedarville Road, Bellingham Asked about the County's progress during the previous two weeks towards selecting a site for a new landfill. Executive Van Zanten stated that the contract with the consultant had been signed and the timeline for the first phase, which involved determining the site, had been reduced to six months. Albert Marshall 2781 West Shope Drive, Lummi Island Protested the recently- implemented Public Benefit Rating System for land classified as open space and given reduced -tax status, as well as the review and classification under this system of existing open space parcels. Questioned the formula being used to compute the ratings; stated that it was too complicated and hard to understand; cited problems with public access policy; stated that public benefit from open space is not derived solely from having the opportunity to walk on it. Anne Morris Lummi Island Read poems related to the need for open space; stated that the County's need for more tax dollars was a threat to open space land. June 16, 1988 Page 5 Barbara Brenner 5617 Northwest Road Stated that she objected to the use of Harper Owes as the consultants for the siting of the landfill; County's Engineering Department already has enough data on this subject; believes that local firms did not submit bids because they believed Harper Owes would get the contract. Stated that there are other alternatives to waste disposal besides landfills and incinerators. Also stated her belief that to place the Health Department under the jurisdiction of the County would be a mistake; other alternatives should be explored to ensure maintenance of an adequate Health Department, such as budgeting methods; grant programs, and levies. Arnie Klaus 109 21st St., Bellingham Expressed concern about the Public Benefit Rating system for open space land; cited flaws in the formula; stated that public access and public benefit were not one and the same; concerned that wildlife habitat was not given a higher priority in determining ratings. Charles Evans Lummi Island Stated that he was not involved in the open space program but was concerned about the Public Benefit Rating System. Stated that the existence of open space was itself a public benefit, as it was a means to control urban expansion; people should be encouraged rather than discouraged from putting their property in open space; urged that Public Benefit Rating System be re- evaluated. Marge Laidlaw 1459 Central Road Discussed proposed reorganization of Health Department; urged caution in consideration of changes; suggested County be more heavily represented on Health Board; Health Department should be strengthened not eviscerated; public participation should be increased. Also spoke about County's space needs and need for overall problem to be addressed rather than just focusing on juvenile detention facility. June 16, 1988 Page 6 Gary Gaines 403 13th St., Bellingham Discussed Public Benefit Rating System; stated that program as it is currently being implemented will force property out of open space to be divided up and sold off. A discussion followed of the Public Benefit Rating System and other issues raised by speakers at Open Session. The Council agreed to let the current review process of parcels currently classified as open space continue, and to take another look at the issue when the Public Benefit Ratings came before the Council for approval. The meeting was recessed at 8 :40 p.m. and reconvened at 8 :53 p.m. FINAL CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT H E OFEICIAL W COUNTY ZONING A A L M LY DWELLING UNITS THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE Planning Director Dan Taylor explained the ordinance. Burton reported that the Planning and Development Committee recommended its adoption. BURTON MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE AMENDIN9 THE BIRCH BAY - ELAINE SUBAREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FROM COMMERCIAL TQ URBAN RESERVE AND THE A WHATCOM COUNTY ZQNING MAP FROM GENERAL COMMERCIAL TO URBAN FORAPPROXIMATELY SIX ACRES.QN.THE BLAINE ROAD HI HE NORTHWEST QUADRANT OF THE BLAINE ROAD /BIRCH BAY - LYNDEN ROAD NTERSECTION Burton explained the ordinance, and reported that the Planning and Development Committee recommended its adoption. BURTON MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE TO REVISE THE 1988 REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FIND Warner explained the ordinance and reported that the Finance Committee recommended its adoption. June 16, 1988 Page 7 WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. There was discussion on the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Warner explained the ordinance and reported that the Finance Committee recommended its adoption. WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS, INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BY AND-BETWEEN-WHATCOM.CQUNTY AND THE OF BELLINGHAM: Hansey reviewed the background of the agreement concerning the siting of a new juvenile detention facility and the issues involved. HANSEY MOVED TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE AMENDED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT. There was discussion about the agreement among County Council members and members of the Bellingham City Council who were present at the meeting. City Council Member Betty Kiner explained that the City was exploring legal means to enable to County to handle the necessary permits through County departments, and that the only remaining area of disagreement was the requirement that the City provide 15 new parking spaces for the Health Department. Hansey's motion carried. Pam Cushing of the City Center Development Authority spoke to the Council regarding the negotiations to obtain the Post Office building for a juvenile detention facility site. She stated if it became evident that the Post Office site would not be feasible they would immediately inform the County so that work could begin on other options. June 16, 1988 Page 8 INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES RESOLUTION DECLARING THE T N N OF YIHAICOM COUNTY TO.WITHDRA FROM MEMBER HIP IN T HA M. T B LLIN HAM PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT HANSEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. There was discussion on the motion. HANSEY MOVED TO TABLE THE RESOLUTION. The motion failed. The motion to approve the resolution failed. Hansey, having voted on the prevailing side, served notice that the resolution would be reconsidered at the next Council meeting. ORDINANCE TO REVISE THE 1988 NON-DEPARTMENTAL APPROPRIATIO WITHIN THE CURRENT EXPENSE FUND ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING.TNVESTMENT OF EXCESS CA 5H IN CERTAIN.F.UND TO BENEFIT.. THE SAME ORDINANCE TO REVISE THE 1988 COUNTY SUPPLY FUND APPROPRIA110 N The ordinances were introduced by consent and referred to the Finance Committee. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 2.28 - PARK BOARD ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE INTERIM.ZONING ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 2,24. THE WHATC.OM COUNTY CODE, UNTIL JULY 15,E 1992 The ordinances were introduced by consent and referred to the Planning and Development Committee. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. ATTEST; Ramona Reeves Clerk of the Council WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON William P. Roehl, Chair