HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning May 12 20151 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Planning and Development Committee
3
4 May 12, 2015
5
6 CALL TO ORDER
7
8 Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. in the Council
9 Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
10
11
12 ROLL CALL
13
14 Present: Ken Mann, Barbra Brenner, and Rud Browne
15 Absent: None
16 Also Present: Satpal Sidhu
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18
19 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
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21 1. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY
22 CODE TITLE 20 TO ALLOW VACATION RENTAL UNITS AS AN ACCESSORY USE
23 (AB2015 -072A)
24
25 Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
26 from a presentation (on file) and gave a staff report.
27
28 The councilmembers discussed the difference between accessory dwelling units
29 (ADUs) and vacation rentals by owner (VRBO), performance impacts to septic systems,
30 impacts to critical areas, a registration program, aquatic invasive species and the boat
31 registration and inspection program,
32
33 John Wolpers, Health Department, answered questions.
34
35 Browne submitted and read from a handout (on file).
36
37 Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, answered questions.
38
39 Dick Conoboy stated all types of rentals must be safe. Self- certification isn't
40 adequate. Define what someone is certifying and what is the associated liability.
41
42 Kelvin Barton stated owners must have a State of Washington business license and
43 pay taxes quarterly. He supports a registration process. The State of Washington will do
44 little enforcement. There are about 700 VRBOs in Whatcom County, bringing in as much as
45 $1,000 each in taxes to Whatcom County per year. He's concerned that someone can
46 complain about him and the neighbors.
47
48 Patrick Alesse stated there needs to be a registration program. Bringing people here
49 is a demand on the system, which he welcomes, but they must pay their taxes. Collecting
50 the taxes must be enforced.
51
52 Paul Taylor stated don't presume that a system won't fail if a rental continues to
53 have many people visiting the house. Whatcom County will grow and tourism will increase.
Planning and Development Committee, 5/12/2015, Page 1
Don't let VRBOs grow unchecked around the lake. A system designed for two people in a
three - bedroom house is different from a system designed for many people at once. The
difference between an ADU and VRBO is confusing. A highly used VRBO can basically be a
duplex.
The councilmembers discussed illegal ADUs that are functioning as duplexes.
The following staff answered questions:
• Royce Buckingham, Prosecuting Attorney's Office
• Nick Smith, Planning and Development Services Department
John Sutley described neighboring ADUs, some of which are being used illegally. This
is something that should be enforced now, but it's not. The administration has proven over
time it doesn't want to enforce ordinances in the county.
The councilmembers continued to discuss conditional use permits or administrative
approval for VRBOs in the Lake Whatcom watershed; permits running with the owner, not
with the land; registration and an annual self- certification; ensuring businesses have a
unified business identifier (UBI) to make sure they pay tourism taxes; requiring a statement
by the owner on the form saying that the information provided on the form is true, so the
owner will perjure himself or herself if they are dishonest; requiring a site plan, initial site
inspection, and information on parking and fire access; providing proof of annual septic
inspection in the Lake Whatcom watershed; providing information on aquatic invasive
species; the cost of such permits and staff time; ensuring there is adequate parking and fire
safety on small private roads with VRBOs, and; the feasibility of enforcement.
Browne stated he will work with staff to incorporate all the suggestions and prepare
a draft ordinance.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The ,wtdf h9 adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM CWONTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM OUNTY, WASHINGTON
Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 5/12/2015, Page 2