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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council for March 29 1982WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING March 29, 1982 Minutes The Whatcom County Council met for public hearing on Monday, March 29, 1982 at 7:40 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Chair Hansey with all members present. The purpose of the hearing was to receive public input on the Lake Whatcom Subarea Comprehensive Plan. Statements were heard from those who had submitted prior written testimony, followed by those who requested permission to speak on the sign- up sheet. Phil Serka, attorney, spoke in regard to the Squalicum Mountain Urban Reserve Area. Serka. requested that land belonging to his client, Mr. Gil Bradner of International Land Development, Inc., be zoned an Urban Reserve..or Residential Rural rather than Rural 5 Acre. He stated that utility services can be provided, and approximately one -half of the property in question is located outside the Watershed. Serka submitted a map exhibit. Jim Wilson presented the map exhibit of the above mentioned area. He spoke in regard to the compatibility of an Urban Reserve or Residential Rural zoning of the property with the overall Plan. Bill Purnell and Dr. Richard Giesbrecht spoke against down - zoning for Agate Bay Properties. Purnell requested that land in the Squalicum Aquifer be zoned 2 lots per acre. Harry Fulton spoke against down- zoning in areas where residents have been paying for both ULID 11 sewer and ULID 16 sewer. Paul Hanson, president of Mt. Baker Mutual Bank, expressed concerns regarding the reduction in densities on lettered tracts in Sudden Valley. In addition he requested that Area S of Sudden Valley be zoned Commercial. His requests are further explained in written testimony, the most recent letter submitted 2/25/82. Bob Anderson, Commissioner for Water District #10, stated concerns regarding the establishment of development standards and administrative procedures. Further information is on file. Dave Wolf, representing the City of Bellingham, also referred the Council members to written testimony already on file. Whatcom County Council Public Hearinc March 29, 1982 Minutes - page two Phyllis Barron spoke in regard to water quality concerns. Ralph Miner urged the Council to adopt a policy of controlled development, particularly in regard to the control of land clear- ance and grading. Tore Oftness submitted photographs dated January 23 -25, 1982 regarding mudslides and other storm - related damage around Lake Whatcom. Diane Lynch spoke in favor of Rural 5 Acre zoning for her property adjacent to Georgia- Pacific property. Frank and Anne Norman spoke in favor of retaining existing densities on their property in the Agate Bay area. Hilda Spore, 3783 Blue Canyon Road, spoke against sewer and water in the area in which she lives. Rita Foley spoke against sewers and water, and in favor of low density, in the Blue Canyon area. Fred C. June, aquatic biologist and private consultant in environmental marine and freshwater problems, presented a report on problems regarding domestic water supply. He recommended that the Council: 1) Declare Lake Whatcom an Environmentally Sensitive Area and proclaim a temporary moratorium on further development in the Watershed 2) Proceed with proposed study of the current condition of Lake Whatcom and make provision for continuing monitory studies. 3) Prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement 4) Establish the legal authority necessary to control the introduction of chemicals and other contaminates into the Lake and to reverse the degradation processes already under way. June submitted the report as testimony. The Council discussed which chemicals are polluting the water supply and what activities are introducing those chemicals. Constance Williams advocated a moratorium on further develop- ment, stating that the roads are not adequately maintained for present levels of density. She submitted a petition with 350 signatures in favor of a moratorium. Vivian Lewis spoke against increased density through cluster- ing or any other zoning in the South Bay area. Whatcom County )uncil Public Hearing March 29, 1982 Minutes - page three Richard Irwin of Blue Canyon Road spoke in favor of low density. Bill Clement suggested the Council should address the following: 1) Drainage Plan within 90 days 2) Designation of a substantial portion of the Watershed as an Environmentally Sensitive Area 3) Keeping density in proportion to utilities to avoid creating a cost burden to residents 4) Adopt ordinance establishing a Watershed Advisory Committee Paul Graf, 3355 Lower Y Road, recommended minimal density and development. Ray Weden, representing the Preliminary Plat of McMullen Estates, stated that he would submit written testimony. Phil Sharpe, representing Sudden Valley Management Act, spoke in favor of reduced densities in Sudden Valley. He advocated zoning the entire area 3 units per acre. Robert Culp spoke in favor of Forestry zoning in the valley between Anderson Creek and Lake Whatcom. Don Easterbrook, geologist, spoke in regard to the incompa- tibility of development with the use of Lake Whatcom as a water source. He referred to the problems of slope stability and the drainage of pollutants into the Lake. Ted Deer, representing Georgia- Pacific, spoke in objection to Section 20.42.055 which prohibits small scale hydro projects in the Watershed. He also objected to increased regulations regarding small scale gravel extraction. He expressed agreement with the remainder of the Plan. Deer also reauested that seven lots south of Strawberry Point owned by the Real Estate Division of Georgia- Pacific be zoned Urban Reserve rather than Forestry. Ernie White, Forestry Manager for Scott Paper Company, spoke in support of the Plan. He proposed amendments to the section dealing with gravel extraction which he feels does not distinguish between small and large scale extraction. He also pointed out Whatcom County Duncil Public Hearing March 29, 1982 Minutes - page four that many State regulations are already in existence. Muenscher questioned White on the safety of using urea as a fertilizer in forestry management and its effect on the Water- shed. In response to a question regarding other chemicals in use, White stated that Scott paper uses 2 -4 -D, an herbicide, in the Watershed. Cole requested a bibliography for information on chemical effects on the Watershed. Steve McCallum, 4490 Park Road, spoke in favor of low density in the South Bay area. Ben Hinkle, 2582 North Shore Road, advocated a total mora- torium on building around the Lake. Duane Johnson, 2577 North Shore, spoke in favor of growth restriction of the City, since they use the Lake as a water supply. Olga Pattison spoke in favor of lowering the water level of the Lake and in behalf of the rights of private property owners. Harry Fulton stated that he would submit written testimony in opposition to 5 Acre Rural zoning of his client's property south of Strawberry Point. Dutch Hawley spoke in regard to the sewer line in the North Shore area. Chair Hansey stated that the record would be held open until Friday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m. for written testimony. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.