HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning February 23 20161
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
February 23, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Todd Donovan, and Carl Weimer
Absent: None
Also Present: Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, and Ken Mann
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. CONSIDERATION OF HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF A
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, FILED BY WAYNE ALLEN DBA WHISPER
LAKE DEVELOPMENTS, INC. (AB2016 -089)
Amy Keenan, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report
and stated the Hearing Examiner recommends full approval of the project to the Council.
She answered questions about density of the development, why they are using the 2005
stormwater manual instead of the 2012 stormwater manual, the minimum lot size, and
whether there are uncapped gas wells in the area.
Brenner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Donovan, and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. RESOLUTION ADOPTING A STATEMENT OF INCARCERATION PREVENTION,
CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND JAIL PLANNING PRINCIPLES FOR WHATCOM
COUNTY'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS
(AB2016 -072)
Weimer reported as a sponsor of the resolution on the background of this resolution.
He has shared this draft resolution with the councils of Bellingham and Ferndale and the
Lummi Tribal Council. They must also discuss the next steps in the process.
The councilmembers discussed the resolution's purpose to share principles and go
forward with a common foundation; that the resolution doesn't intend for everyone to start
all over again; creating a shorter, more general resolution; whether the resolution fills the
County Executive's request for direction to move forward; a property tax versus a sales
tax; creating broad, general statements of principle to get everyone on board with moving
forward; and removing accusatory language.
Planning and Development Committee, 2/23/2016, Page 1
Carol Perry stated the Council was responsible for getting the City of Bellingham on
board.
Ray Baribeau stated the resolution disregards the Jail Planning Task Force and the
Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force. Rewrite the resolution. The authors of
this resolution should enlist the help of Moonwater with the Dispute Resolution Center.
Irene Morgan stated she agrees with reaching out to Moonwater to help write the
resolution. She thanked the authors for continuing to work on solutions.
Joy Gilfilen stated she approves of the resolution. It's essential to have a needs
assessment study and a collaborative effort. This resolution supports, not undermines, the
Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force, which is doing good work.
Bill Elfo, Sheriff, stated the resolution implies that the prior process was not
transparent. The prior group was diverse and held 16 public meetings. Don't discount that
work. The resolution should include a statement about the safety of the jail employees. No
one from the City of Bellingham ever attended any of the 16 public meetings.
Doralee Booth stated the Small City Mayors and officials were left out of the
document. They should have input. Naysayers who weren't part of the process came out at
the end of the process. That is their problem. It will continue to happen over and over, and
they must stop it. Educate people with the best information they have and move forward.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, stated the Executive is looking to the Council to
provide direction. This resolution isn't focused enough to provide specific direction to the
administration. He suggests the Council identify the next steps.
Weimer stated there are three next steps. First, reach out to all the other legislative
groups in the county. Second, the Council needs to know when the administration wants
this on the ballot again. Third, the Council needs to identify and focus on the key issues by
working with the other stakeholders who contributed to the resolution.
Mann asked if it is realistic to put the sales tax on the ballot in November. Elfo
stated that, as the Sheriff, he believes this is urgent. He recommends getting it on the
ballot as quickly as possible.
Browne stated they need to identify the community's questions that prevented their
support, answer their questions, and present the answers in a clear and simple format.
Buchanan stated create a community checklist that identifies the issues, which can
be checked off the list when there is a clear narrative to answer the questions on the
checklist.
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner moved to table for two weeks.
Donovan asked what happens with the other jurisdictions if they wait two weeks.
Weimer stated the other jurisdictions are waiting to see what the County Council will
do with the resolution.
Planning and Development Committee, 2/23/2016, Page 2
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The motion to hold in committee for two weeks carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner and Donovan (2)
Nays: Weimer (1)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:23 p.m.
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 2/23/2016, Page 3