HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development March 16 1988WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
March 16, 1988
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Committee
Chair Burton with all committee members present. Also present
were Shirley Van Zanten, County Executive; Dan Taylor and Carl
Batchelor, Planning Department; John Tyler and Jerry Mixon,
Buildings and Code; Larry Mount, Sheriff; Paul Rushing, Public
Works; Phil Serka; Chuck Vrieling; and Dennis Sorenson.
SORENSON .OPEN..S.PACE.APPLICATION
There was discussion of the circumstances of the Sorenson
open space application, including the failure of Mr. Sorenson to
purchase the required open space sign from the Planning
Department and post it on his property, although he had returned
the affidavit of posting stating that he had done so. Mr.
Sorenson stated he thought the affidavit was an agreement that he
would post a sign in the future rather than a statement that he
had already posted it.
JOHNSON MOVED TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY IN OPEN SPACE AND DIRECT
MR. SORENSON TO POST A SIGN TODAY.
The motion carried.
CONTINUATION.OF DISCUSSION. OF BUSINESS REGISTRATIQN.P.ROGRAM AND
LIMITED AMNESTY P.OLIQL FOR NON,- CONFORMING BUSINESSES
Sheriff Larry Mount said that a business registration
program in Whatcom County would help his efforts to stop illegal
"fly -by- night" operations.
Committee member Johnson expressed concern about the costs
to business owners of such a program, and suggested that an
inventory of out -of- compliance businesses be done prior to
implementation of any program.
Jackson stated that the issue was whether to create an
amnesty program or enforce the zoning code currently in effect,
and questioned whether the majority of the people, who have
abided by the zoning regulations, would be well served by an
amnesty program.
Director of Buildings and Code John Tyler suggested that the
"occupancy permit," a permit which is currently required and will
be enforced by the new fire inspector, could serve as an
alternative to a business registration /amnesty program.
March 16, 1988
Page 2
Planning Director Taylor said that an amendment the Planning
Department would introduce in June concerning "cottage
industries" would address only a small portion of the businesses
in question.
Chuck Vrieling, Arvin Zoerink's neighbor, discussed problems
that Zoerink's business was causing for him.
Phil Serka stated that regulations were easy to adopt but
hard to enforce, and characterized enforcement actions by the
County as "knee -jerk reactions" to neighborhood disputes.
The meeting was recessed at 3:10 p.m. and reconvened at 3:20
p.m.
The discussion continued about whether or not a business
registration and /or amnesty program was a good idea, and whether
an "occupancy permit" or "certificate of occupancy" would serve
the same purpose.
Taylor outlined three alternatives: 1) institute an
amnesty program; 2) enforce the existing codes through the new
fire marshall's efforts and the "certificate of occupancy"
requirement; or 3) leave the situation as it is now and enforce
the code only in the event of complaints. Taylor said that the
issue of whether or not a business registration program should be
implemented was a separate question.
Tyler said that the County's tax revenues could be increased
by uncovering "hidden" businesses. Van Zanten stated that she
supported a business registration program because of the tax
revenues and also because it would assist the Sheriff and the
Department of Buildings and Code in carrying out their functions.
After further discussion, the Committee agreed to wait and
see what the new fire inspector would accomplish before taking
further action, and to discuss the "Certificate of Occupancy" at
its next meeting.
WHOLESALE GREENHOUSE ON NORTHWEST AVENUE /COMPLIANCE WITH FIRE
FLOW ORDINANC
Johnson described the problems faced by a wholesale
greenhouse operator in trying to comply with the requirements of
the County's fire flow ordinance. There was discussion about the
issue.
March 16, 1988
Page 3
JOHNSON MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE REQUEST AN ORDINANCE TO
AMEND THE FIRE FLOW ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO WHOLESALE GREENHOUSE
OPERATIONS.
The motion carried.
CEDARVILLE LANDFILL/NEW LANDFILL SITING
There was discussion about Jackson's suggestion that a
feasibility study be undertaken specifically on the advisability
of acquiring more property for use as a landfill site in the area
of the existing Cedarville landfill.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY ASHINGTON
Tom Burton, Chair
Planning and Development Committee
ATTEST:
Amanda Fleming
Clerk of the Council