HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council for June 9 1982WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING
June 9, 1982
Minutes
The Whatcom County Council met for public hearing Wednesday, June
9, 1982 at 7:35 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Chair Hansey
with all members except Johnson and Cole present. Cole arrived at 7 :40
p.m. Also present were Bill Trimm and Jon Holan of the Planning Depart-
ment.
The purpose of the hearing was to- receive public input on suggested
changes in the Lake Whatcom Subarea Comprehensive Plan and the Whatcom
County Zoning Ordinance Title 20 affecting the Lake Whatcom Subarea.
Bill Trimm presented a brief background of work done on the Comp-
rehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
Dick Laferty, 264 Sudden Valley, spoke on behalf of the Registered
Voters of Sudden Valley, in opposition to high density in Sudden Valley,
particularly on the condominium tracts. He also spoke in regard to
drainage problems and Lake water quality, and in opposition to the
Urban Reserve designation for Sudden Valley. (submitted written testimony)
Art Flynn, Sudden Valley Community Association's representative on
the Council of Governments, spoke in support of Laferty's statements.
Larry Hamilton, 1721 S. Lake Whatcom Blvd., spoke in support of
Laferty's statements in regard to the ecology of the Lake and the lack
of adequate services.
Rollin Gillespie, 457 Sudden Valley, concurred with the above
statements.
Frank and Anne Norman, 2121 London Street, New Westminster, British
Columbia, thanked Council for the proposed amendment relating to their
property in the North Shore area. They expressed concern over the pro-
posed moratorium on water services in ULID 16 which prohibits them from
using their land at the density allowed by the Council's amendment to the
zoning (a designation of RR2). They requested that Council follow
through with their decision to uphold prior commitments to ULID payers.
(letter exhibit submitted),
Willard Purnell spoke in regard to Agate Bay Properties. He suggested
changes in the identification of the legal eastern boundary of ULID 16.
(letter submitted).
Richard Langabeer, Ferndale, representing Agate Bay Properties,
What�;um County Council
Public Hearing
June 9, 1982
commented that language relating to a moratorium is inappropriate in
.he Comprehensive Plan. He also suggested inclusion of language regard-
ing the exception of lots platted prior to adoption of the Comprehensive
Plan from the ULID moratorium.
Rod McDougal requested that Council amend the zoning for his
mother's property between Lake Whatcom Boulevard and Lake Louise Road
to RR2 rather than R2A (the existing zoning is 3 per acre).(letter submitted)
Jack Day,- Sudden Valley, spoke in opposition to increased density
in Sudden Valley. He stated a preference for the Planning Commission's
original proposal, and suggested that the Comprehensive Plan should not
be approved before the Lake Whatcom Restoration Study is completed.
Cole commented that it might be appropriate for the Water District
and the Council to examine the legal alternatives for regulating growth
in Sudden Valley.
Rick Tremaine, 4230 Ridgewood Avenue., Vice President of Mt. Baker
Bank, presented a letter with four attachments from Paul Hansen,
President of the Bank, regarding suggested changes in the Comprehensive
Plan and Zoning Ordinance relating to Sudden Valley. The letter
_,roposed a density of 8 /acre with density transfer to 10 /acre on the
condominium tracts, including Tract S.
Ted Deer, Chief Forester for Georgia Pacific, submitted a letter
exhibit. He spoke in regard to seven lots near Strawberry Point owned
by Georgia- Pacific and requested that the zoning be R2A.
Becky Peltzer, 501 Sudden Valley, questioned the Council in regard
to the maximum number of condominiums which could be built in Sudden
Valley and whether the condominium tracts could be down -zoned to Resi-
dential density. Council members explained the Restrictive Covenant
limits and the problems with finding a legal, equitable solution.
Karen Sprague, 2832 North Shore Road, spoke in support of Jack Day's
statements. She commented that the Council is not obligated to honor the
Restrictive Covenants. She also spoke in regard to toxic pollutants,
in the Watershed. She made the following suggestions:
1) For Sudden Valley and the County to set up a fund to purchase
lots in Sudden Valley (lottery ?)
2) To add the designation "Watershed" to zoning designations in
the Watershed (for instance, "Urban Reserve Watershed ")
There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed at
9:56 p.m. The record will be held open until 4:30 p.m., June 11.