HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning April 28 2015WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
April 28, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Ken Mann, Barbara Brenner, and Rud Browne
Absent: None
Also Present: Carl Weimer, Pete Kremen, and Satpal Sidhu
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION ON THE DRAFT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN FOR WHATCOM
COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATION
AMENDMENTS (AB2015 -149)
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report to
describe the public participation program for Comprehensive Plan and development
regulation requirements, the requirements for each level of review and process, proposed
changes, and the Planning Commission approval.
The committee discussed the town hall process, comments received on the draft plan
overall, whether they are allowing enough public input on the agricultural strategic plan,
input from the Agricultural Advisory Committee about the participation plan, and moving the
mineral resource land (MRL), accessory uses, and critical areas items to a different public
participation level.
Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department, answered
questions.
Browne moved to recommend approval of the draft public participation plan.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Brenner and Browne (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY
CODE TITLE 20 TO ALLOW VACATION RENTAL UNITS AS AN ACCESSORY USE
(AB2015 -072A)
Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report.
The committee discussed septic systems designed for a family that have to
accommodate many more people, especially in the Lake Whatcom watershed; whether
there is an increased risk of aquatic invasive species; requiring vacation rental by owner
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(VRBO) unit owners to have a permit, especially for properties in the Lake Whatcom
watershed; the number of VRBO complaints that have been enforced; County liability for
units that aren't up to code if the County issues permits, and; asking the fire marshal to
suggest minimum safety standards for a VRBO.
Browne stated have a registration system that includes a form that asks about life
safety protections that are in place in the unit. Also, registration should generate a
registration number that is required to be in their advertisements, so there is a system to
file complaints online, which will trigger an administrative use process when the permit is
renewed.
The following people answered questions:
• Jack Louws, County Executive
• Royce Buckingham, Prosecutor's Office
• Wain Harrison, Planning and Development Services Department
The councilmembers continued to discuss very large homes that are turned into
multiple dwelling or rental units, the County's lack of enforcement of existing rules and
regulations, and getting more information from the staff on overloading septic tanks,
aquatic invasive species, and enforcement challenges.
Mann stated this item would be held in committee for two weeks.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
A-FF ST:
Dana BrowhYD uisr ,dounot Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM CO NTY C NCIL
WHATCOM UN , ASHINGTON
Ken Mann, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 4/28/2015, Page 2