HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Development December 16 1987WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
December 16, 1987
The meeting was called to order at 2 :04 p.m. by Committee
Chair Muenscher, with Warner present. Also present were Shirley
Van Zanten, County Executive; Paul Rushing, Public Works; Randy
Watts, Council Attorney; Jerry Mixon, Buildings and Code; Larry
Mount, Sheriff; Dan Taylor, Planning; Ray Gordon, Jail; Jacob
Smith and Arvin Zoerink.
REQUEST FOR ONE YEAR EXTENSION OF PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL FOR
LS 87 -83, "ROSESMITH FARMS," FILED BY JACOB SMITH
WARNER MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ONE -YEAR, ONE -TIME
EXTENSION.
There was discussion on the motion.
The motion carried.
ORDINANCE CREATING A NEW CHAPTER IN TITLE 15 OF THE WHATCOM
COUNTY CODE ADOPTING FACILITY STANDARDS FOR THE WHATCOM COUNTY
JAIL
Executive Van Zanten, Sheriff Mount, and Ray Gordon reviewed
the ordinance and discussed various provisions with the
Committee.
WARNER MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE.
There was further discussion. Muenscher stated that
Committee member Johnson was also in favor of the ordinance, and
Warner said that the Washington State Association of Counties had
advised that the standards be adopted.
The motion carried.
DISCUSSION OF ZONING PROBLEM WITH WESTERN CONCRETE PUMPING (ARVIN
ZOERINK; C.J. JOHNSON'S MEMO OF 10/14/87) AND POSSIBLE WAYS TO
ADDRESS IT
Executive Van Zanten reviewed the problem, which stemmed
from Mr. Zoerink having begun operation of a business in an area
which was zoned General Protection without obtaining a
conditional use permit. The location in question was later zoned
R2A, completely prohibiting the operation of the business. Mr.
Zoerink was unaware of the zoning laws governing his area at the
time he started his business operation.
December 16, 1987
Page 2
Jerry Mixon of Buildings and Code stated that under the
current ordinances there was no way his department could allow
Mr. Zoerink to continue to operate his business at its current
location.
Various means of addressing the problem raised by this and
other businesses in similar situations were discussed. Options
mentioned included a zoning change, which was not thought to be
practical or desirable, and the institution of a requirement for
a business license for county businesses, thus providing an
opportunity for zoning and building laws to be reviewed prior to
the start of a business. The Committee also discussed
instituting a requirement for a business license in conjunction
with a limited amnesty program for non - conforming businesses.
The Committee thought that the amnesty program should require a
non - conforming business to undergo a process similar to the
conditional use permit application process, and should only apply
to businesses which were already in operation for a period of
time prior to the institution of the amnesty policy.
WARNER MOVED TO REQUEST THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP A
BUSINESS REGISTRATION PROGRAM AND A LIMITED AMNESTY POLICY
CONCERNING NON- CONFORMING BUSINESSES IN WHATCOM COUNTY.
The motion carried.
The Committee requested that, if feasible, the amnesty
policy be structured to exclude persons who had deliberately
violated county ordinances; require a fee larger than that
normally charged for a conditional use permit, in order to offset
the added costs of the program; and that it not include the
possibility of appeal to the Council. The Committee asked that
the administration have its recommendations ready for the
Council's second meeting in February.
The meeting Was adjourned at 3:12 p.m.
ATTEST:
/y,
Clerk of the Council
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
R.W. "Bob" Muenscher, Chair
Planning and Development Committee