HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council for January 26 1982WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Minutes
January 26, 1982
Public Hearing
The Whatcom County Council met for public hearing on Tuesday,
January 26, 1982 at 7:35 p.m. The meeting was called to order by
Chair Roehl with Johnson, Hansey, Muenscher present. Van Zanten
entered the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Also present were Ray Weden,
Consultant, Ken Gordon, Subdivision Analyst for Buildings & Codes
Department and Bob Partlow.
Chair Roehl opened the hearing on the application of Seapark
Properties, Ltd. for preliminary plat approval to create and develop
a residential subdivision known as "Seapark Estates." Roehl stated
the hearing was being held due to the Council's rejection of the
Hearing Examiner's recommendation at its meeting of December 3, 1981.
Ken Gordon, Building and Codes Department, was representing
the Technical Committee. Gordon explained the Technical Committee
had previously recommended approval of the plat to the Hearing
Examiner. The Hearing Examiner had reversed the decision and
recommended denial to Council. The Technical Committee in reviewing
the application treated it as a renewal. The Committee took.in to
consideration the zoning and subdivision ordinances and also the
Comprehensive Plan for Birch Bay. In reviewing the application a
second time the Committee reaffirmed its original endorsement of
approval. The Committee concluded that it was feasible to drain
the site. The Committee did not take the "need" factor into consi-
deration as the Hearing Examiner had. In presenting the Technical
Committee recommendations, Gordon stated the Committee agreed with
the conditions put on the plat in 1979 by the Whatcom County Council
with the following four exceptions:
1) An additional condition is suggested to require there
is positive drainage from each lot
2) The developer should have the responsibility for the
construction or placing funds for construction. in escrow for the park
3) All roads should be required to have underground
storm sewers
4) Place a no- protest on the plat for the formation
of future local improvement district
a
Whatcom County Counr'l
Minutes
Public Hearing
January 26, 1982
page two
Gordon stated the final plat approval is held until all drainage
and roads, etc. are approved by the Engineer. Van Zanten questioned
which was more of a problem, on -site drainage or off -site drainage?
Gordon said the off -site drainage has not yet been looked at. The
cumulative effect has not been looked at.
Ray Weden, Consultant for the plat owner, asked that the Hearing
Examiner file be made a part of the record. The Chair so recognized.
The file will be listed as additional exhibits. Weden stated he
disputed the Hearing Examiner report. He stated he did concur with
the Technical Committees report. He said that the drainage course
is looked at and that all potential drainage is studied. A detail
of specifics is not usually done until after preliminary plat approval.
Consideration of RCW 58.17.110 should be done. Van Zanten pointed
out that the Hearing Examiner had stated that in order to have ade-
quate drainage the surrounding vegetation would be greatly effected.
Weden stated that there is going to be some filling and grading done
in the area. That can't be helped. But no major alterations should
be taken beyond the minimum extent. Weden asked what determines the
minimum extent? There are no specified guidelines.
No further testimony was given and the hearing was closed.
Roehl stated the Planning Committee will meet Thursday, January 28,
to discuss the drainage problem in general with Assistant Engineer
Bob Jurica. Final consideration of the plat application will be
at Councils meeting of February 4, 1982.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.