HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services April 7 1988WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
April 7, 1988
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Johnson
at 6 :30 p.m. with all committee members present. Also present
were Ed Henken, County Engineer; Brent Hoekema; Ken Van Kooten;
Craig Himes; Robert Bumford; and several other citizens concerned
about the West Pole Road issue.
PETITION FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM OF AN UNNAMED
ROAD, AND TO. NAME - THAT -ROAD. "CLARKSON. LANE," FILED BY BRENT.R.
HOEKEMA, ET AL
County Engineer Ed Henken reviewed his report recommending
that the road be accepted into the county road system.
VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROAD INTO THE
COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM.
The motion carried.
E GINEER'S.REPORT ON PETITION FROM WEST POLE ROAD RESIDENTS TO
REDUCE SPEED LIMIT FROM 35 M.P.H..TO 50 M.P.H... AND OTHER
CONCERNS
County Engineer Ed Henken reviewed his report recommending
that the speed limit on the road be left at 50 m.p.h.
There was considerable discussion of the issue among
committee members, the.Engineer, and the public.
JACKSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE SPEED LIMIT BE LOWERED
TO 35 M.P.H.
The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
Amanda - Fleming
Clerk of the Counci
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
-� �- ( S% A A AA
C.J. 'Corky' Johnson, Chair
Public Services Committee
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Paul F. Hushing, Director
J ' 316 Lot11e Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
1206) 676.66921398.1310
Courthouse, Bellingham,
(206) 676- 6730/398 -1310
SCAN 644 -6730
MEMO
DIVISION OF ENGINEERING
i
Edwin R. Henken, P. E. County Engineer
Robert C. Jurica, P. E. Asst. Co. Engineer
Nasser Y. Mansour, P. E. Deputy Co. Engineer
April 18, 1988
TO: Shirley Van Zanten, County Executive,
C. J. Johnson, Chairman and Members of the Pub ' S ices Committee
FROM: Edwin R. Henken, County Engineer
SUBJECT: West Pole Road Petition '
Since receipt of the West Pole Road petition of April 7th, I have had an oppor-
tunity to discuss possible project deviations with the State officials involved
in granting deviations. I then discussed these possible deviations with Chief
Civil Deputy Prosecutor Randall Watts as to possible County liabilities. As a
result of these discussions, it was felt that it would be reasonable to request
certain deviations for the West Pole Road Project and meet with the residents
that are opposed to the project as originally proposed.
The petition proposals were then discussed at length with a group of nine area
residents"and the following concensus was unanimously agreed to by those
present:
1) No sidewalk would be provided but the
12 foot driving lane and 7 foot paved
south side between the Guide Meridian
possible methods to better define the
improve pedestrian and bicycle safety
the north side we will attempt to ob
originally intended design section of
shoulder would be constructed on the
and Old Guide. The County will review
driving and shoulder lanes so as to
to the fullest extent possible. On
tain a deviation to reduce the 7 foot
shoulder to 4 foot. At this time, we have a verbal indication that a
deviation to a 5 foot shoulder would be granted. I do wish to discuss the 5
foot vs the 4 foot shoulder further with Mr. and Mrs. Edin on site to ascer-
tain if they might reconsider and accept the 5 foot paved shoulder for which
we are reasonably assured of obtaining the deviation.
The County would still intend to obtain 10 feet of additional right -of -way
where less than a 30 foot half road section exists on the south side of the
road and 5 feet of additional right -of -way on the north side.
31vlslon of Buildings & Code Division of Engineering Division of Ferry & Docks
401 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225 Courthouse, Bellingham, WA 98225 316 Lottle Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
(206) 678.89071398.1310 (206) 676-67301398-13 10
(208) 076-66921398-1310
Division of Building Maintenance DIv1910n of Equipment Rental 8 Maintenance Division of Maintenance & Operations
Basentent-Public Safety Building 901 W. Smith Road. Bellingham. WA 98226 901 W. Smith Road, Bellingham, WA 98226
Bellingham, WA 98225 (206) 676 67591384-12211398-1310
(206)878- 87481398.1310 (208) 676-67591384-32211398-1310
West Pole Road Petition page 2
2) West of the Old Guide - Reduce the proposed section 4 feet from a 34 foot
paved section to a 30 foot paved section consisting of two, eleven foot
driving lanes with a paved 4 foot shoulder on either side. I have received
verbal assurance that this would likely be approved as a deviation.
3) The curves have to be reconstructed on new alignment so as to be designed
for a 35 mph speed which is considered the minimum acceptable for a'rural
arterial. The County will investigate the practicality of reducing the
right -of -way 'take' through the curve as much as possible, including con-
sideration of enclosing the northwest side ditch through the curve with
an enclosed drainage system.
4) The entire right -of -way area west of the Old Guide be reduced to a required
5 foot 'take' on each side if the people prefer not to sell 10 feet. This
would provide adequate room for utilities and still allow property owners to
retain total control over as much of their yards as possible.
Additional items discussed included:
a. Reviewing 'clear zone' liability with Attorney Watts as it applies to
existing large trees and checking sight distance at Aldrich and West Pole
to save as many of the large trees as possible at the Bomford property.
b. Working with Puget Power to save as many trees as possible and still obtain
the desirable clear zone distance to poles.
c. Issue Encroachment Permits to residents for yard fences and landscaping so
as to provide for minimal project impact.
d. Obtain drainage waivers so as to allow maintained lawn up to the edge of the
paved shoulder where possible.
ERN /mp
cc: Robert Bumford