HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning March 22 20161
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
March 22, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Carl Weimer, Barbara Brenner, and Todd Donovan
Absent: None
Also Present: Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, Carl Weimer, and Ken Mann
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF AN ORDINANCE PROPOSING VARIOUS MINOR
AMENDMENTS TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 20, ZONING (AB2016-
114)
Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report and
referenced the staff memo in the Council packet. He answered questions about the process
for removing docketed items from the docket and whether citizen - initiated docket items that
have been paid for by the applicants can be removed from the docket.
Brenner moved to approve substitute Exhibit B as shown on council packet page
373 with an amendment to subsection 20.90.041(2), "...unless the proposed amendment
was: (a) initiated and paid for by a citizen per...."
The motion was seconded.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Brenner, and Donovan (3)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner moved to approve the substitute Exhibit K as shown on Council packet
page 375.
The motion was seconded.
The councilmembers discussed whether a ham radio operator can have an antennae
higher than 25 feet.
Nick Smith, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Brenner, and Donovan (3)
Nays: None (0)
Planning and Development Committee, 3/22/2016, Page 1
1 The councilmembers discussed changing the procedures for major development
2 projects.
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4 Donovan moved to recommend reintroduction of the ordinance with the changes.
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6 The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
7 Ayes: Weimer, Brenner, and Donovan (3)
8 Nays: None (0)
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10 2. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE
11 TITLE 20 TO ALLOW VACATION RENTAL UNITS AS AN ACCESSORY USE, AND
12 TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 23 TO ALLOW VACATION RENTAL UNITS
13 AND BED AND BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENTS AS A PERMITTED USE
14 (AB2015 -072C)
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16 Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted a
17 highlighted version of changes to Whatcom County Code (WCC) section 20.80.960 (on file)
18 and gave a staff report.
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20 Nick Smith, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions.
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22 Weimer stated the three main changes are to make the vacation rentals an
23 accessory use almost everywhere except the Lake Whatcom watershed, where they will be a
24 conditional use; only one is allowed per lot, and; there will be a vacation rental registry.
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26 The councilmembers discussed the similarities and differences between vacation
27 rentals and accessory dwelling units.
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29 Davis stated one option for defining a vacation rental is as a facility where the owner
30 is not present.
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32 Councilmembers discussed having an owner onsite, whether a conditional use permit
33 required in the watershed is appropriate, the number of businesses that would be subject to
34 a conditional use permit, penalties for violation, conflict with the affordable housing
35 inventory, who would run the vacation rental registry, signage, and septic inspection
36 requirements.
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38 Mann stated have a threshold for a certain number of days that the unit is rented
39 out, where the owner has to comply with all these regulations.
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41 Weimer stated amend section 20.97.445.1 on Council packet page 408, 'Vacation
42 rental unit means a dwelling unit that -ice irta— esidenee of ' �r� ^ a Ref where the
43 owner is not present on site during the rental period, which, for compensation, is used to
44 lodge individuals or families...."
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46 Davis asked if the committee wants staff to take Title 23 through the Planning
47 Commission process while they further discuss the changes to Title 20,
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49 Brenner moved to recommend to the full Council that they forward the changes to
50 Title 23 to the Planning Commission.
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52 The motion carried by the following vote:
53 Ayes: Weimer, Brenner, and Donovan (3)
Planning and Development Committee, 3/22/2016, Page 2
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Nays: None (0)
Davis stated he will make the change to section 20.97.225.1. They can discuss it
again in committee.
Weimer stated they need to continue discussing the thresholds.
Davis stated they can have that discussion and wait for the Commission to work
through Title 23.
Brenner stated the VRBO ordinance should include language about septic systems.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m.
ATTEST.
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Dan ,j BrowngaAts; Oftw 01 CI6rk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 3/22/2016, Page 3