HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning June 9 20151 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Planning and Development Committee
3
4 June 9, 2015
5
6 CALL TO ORDER
7
8 Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m. in the Council
9 Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
10
11 ROLL CALL
12
13 Present: Ken Mann, Barbra Brenner, and Rud Browne
14 Absent: None
15 Also Present: Satpal Sidhu
16
17 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
18
19 1. BRIEFING ON A REQUEST FOR A MAJOR ADJUSTMENT, A MAJOR
20 AMENDMENT AND A ONE -YEAR EXTENSION FOR FINAL APPROVAL FOR THE
21 LINCOLN ROAD LONG SUBDIVISION (AB2015 -172)
22
23 Amy Keenan, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report.
24
25 The committee discussed whether staff supports the revised plan and if there are no
26 other issues besides the playground.
27
28 Brenner moved to recommend approval to the full Council
29
30 The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
31 Ayes: Mann, Brenner and Browne (3)
32 Nays: None (0)
33
34 2. WHATCOM COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR MIKE MCFARLANE
35 TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON RECONVEYANCE LAND RECREATIONAL
36 OPPORTUNITIES, TRAIL PLANNING, EXPENSES, AND OTHER ISSUES
37 (AB2015 -176)
38
39 Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, submitted and read from
40 a presentation (on file).
41
42 Rod Lamb, Parks and Recreation Department, continued the presentation.
43
44 The councilmembers discussed possible cost estimates for each alternative and
45 knowing the timeframe for completing each alternative, determining and working around
46 wildlife corridors, whether primitive campsites that allow fires will cause forest fires,
47 providing access that includes port -a- potties and concession services, the recent closure of
48 unauthorized mountain biking trails on State and County property, and whether the future
49 connections will be trail connections or road connections.
50
51 McFarlane concluded the presentation on expenses and revenues.
52
53 Pat Alesse spoke about a trail closure in Birch Bay.
Planning and Development Committee, 6/9/2015, Page 1
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Eric Brown, Whatcom Mountain Biking Club, spoke about options to bring
unauthorized mountain bike trails up to standard, supporting alternative three for trail
development, access for equestrians, and segregated trail uses.
The committee continued to discuss closure of unauthorized mountain biking trails,
developing authorized trails that are challenging and advanced, the expectation for downhill
and free ride trails within the Lake Whatcom watershed, and designing trails that prevent
erosion and phosphorus loading into the lake.
Cliff Langley stated people who live on Squalicum Mountain don't know they live in a
recreational resource management area. The County must let people know what's going on
if they want community involvement. Because of the designation on maps that are adopted
in County planning documents, people think they can access his private property for
recreational uses.
McFarlane stated the designations have existed for many years, but maps are being
updated with the designation as part of the Comprehensive Plan update process.
Langley stated the recreational resource management area definition was changed in
May. He questions whether the designation opens the possibility for private property to be
claimed using eminent domain and whether the designation has to be disclosed during a
real estate transaction.
The committee discussed the history and purpose of the recreational resource
management area.
Karen Brown stated people assume there is free and open public access in the
recreational resource management areas, but there isn't. There are liability issues when
people trespass onto private land. Once someone sees that language in planning
documents and on a map, word can spread.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The e t,
q adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATC,W COUNTY COUNCIL
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n Mann, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 6/9/2015, Page 2