HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources September 15 20151
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
September 15, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barry Buchanan, Carl Weimer, Satpal Sidhu
Absent: None
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen and Rud Browne
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (PDR)
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE RANKING AND AUTHORIZING WHATCOM COUNTY
PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ADMINISTRATOR AND WHATCOM
COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO PROCEED WITH THE ACQUISITION PROCESS FOR
2015 APPLICATIONS (AB2015 -255)
Paul Schissler, PDR Oversight Committee, spoke and stated the Committee
recommends the resolution.
The councilmembers discussed whether the small parcels would really be farmed.
Karin Beringer, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file) and answered questions.
Chris Elder, Planning and Development Services Department, continued the
presentation to describe each application and answered questions.
Sandra Matheson, applicant, described her farming operation.
The councilmembers discussed whether the teaching center at the Matheson
property is included; the total number of points possible overall and the scoring process;
whether there is much development surrounding the Matheson property; the potential
development rights on the Foster property; whether the forested areas of the Foster
property can be used for agriculture; how the appraised value of the development rights are
calculated; the total area of the house and barns on the Grubb property; the amount of
impervious surfaces allowed on a property applying for the program; the types of wildlife at
the Grubb property, and; the higher cost of the development right for the Williams I
property.
Beringer continued the presentation on the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR)
process, budget and funding, and the program history and summary.
Natural Resources Committee, 9/15/2015, Page 1
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The councilmembers discussed finding outside sources for matching funds, whether
the matching funds the County has already received are tied to specific properties, how to
allocate funding for all the properties, the balance of the conservation futures fund, the
Floodplains by Design program budget, purchasing property in areas where matching funds
aren't available, getting an update from County administration on the conservation futures
fund, getting an overview of the PDR point and scoring system, amending the language in
the resolution to only authorize the appraisals, and not approving the purchase and sales
agreement through this request.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, answered questions.
Weimer moved to move forward with an amended resolution that only authorizes
the administration to proceed with appraisals, not a purchase and sales agreement.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Buchanan, Weimer, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:29 a.m.
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Barr chanan, ommittee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 9/15/2015, Page 2