HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole May 31 20161 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Special Committee of the Whole
3
4 May 31, 2016
5
6 CALL TO ORDER
7
8 Council Chair Barry Buchanan 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: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, Satpal Sidhu, Carl Weimer, Todd
15 Donovan, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
16 Absent: None.
17
18
19 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTERS 3 AND 7
20
21 1. AUDIENCE MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO COMMENT SPECIFICALLY ON
22 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 3, HOUSING (AB2016 -047C) AND CHAPTER
23 7, ECONOMICS (AB2016 -047G)
24
25 Clayton Petree submitted and read from a handout (on file) and stated don't
26 continue with the same housing assumptions or ignore existing problems. The vacancy rate
27 is not healthy. Recalculate the amount of housing needed based on vacancy rates. Find
28 solutions to the housing problems identified in the housing study.
29
30 Jack Petree submitted and read from a handout (on file) and stated Whatcom
31 County's average wage is less than its peer counties. Urban growth areas (UGAs) are too
32 protected against growth. The law requires adequate infrastructure, which the county
33 doesn't have. Subarea plans must comply with the Comprehensive Plan. Necessary data to
34 make good decisions hasn't been developed. The Countywide Planning Policies must be
35 met.
36
37 Linda Twitchell, Building Industry Association, stated differentiate between affordable
38 housing and subsidized housing. Don't fund subsidized housing through fees or taxes or by
39 raising the cost of housing. A housing levy would have to apply to everyone countywide.
40 She agrees with the first speaker about the housing analysis.
41
42 Derek Long, Sustainable Connections Executive Director, referenced an email he sent
43 to the Council. Research indicates most job and income growth is from the expansion of
44 existing companies in the community. Invest in enhanced recruitment. Don't start a new
45 organization to work on recruitment. Work through the ChooseWhatcom collaboration.
46 Strengthen those participating organizations.
47
48 Juliana Fischer, Students for Renewable Energy, stated she supports changes to
49 Chapter 7 as recommended by her previous written testimony. Her research has concluded
50 there is no evidence documenting a significant connection between wind energy systems
51 and adverse health impacts. She supports the energy overlay and proposed changes from
52 Councilmember Mann. The language regarding health concerns related to wind energy is
53 unnecessary.
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/31/2016, Page 1
1
2 Roger Almskaar stated the cost of housing is too high and wages are stagnant. He
3 suggests specific changes to the Proposed Changes from Councilmembers document
4 beginning on Council packet page 277. Item 2 needs work, but he supports the goal in
5 general. He agrees that subsidized housing should not be called affordable housing in
6 proposed new policies 3D -4 and 3F -5.
7
8 2. DISCUSSION AND PRELIMINARY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON COMPREHENSIVE
9 PLAN CHAPTER 3, HOUSING (AB2016 -047C)
10
11 Brenner referenced Proposed Council Changes to Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 3,
12 item one, and moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 3 -15, lines 13 -15, "Both public
13 and private investments can be directed into housing that ensures that low- to moderate -
14 income people will be able to continue to live near where they work in the community.
15 (According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, in 2015, in Whatcom
16 County a family of four earning $54,100 was considered low- income, while the median
17 income for a family of four was $67,600.)" She prefers that there be objective data.
18
19 The motion was seconded.
20
21 Weimer asked the source of the additional language in the motion.
22
23 Forrest Longman, Council Office, stated the language was from Planning Department
24 staff.
25
26 The motion carried by the following vote:
27 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
28 Nays: None (0)
29
30 Brenner referenced Proposed Council Changes to Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 3,
31 item two, and stated make sure people understand that affordable housing is not subsidized
32 housing. Find out what is the preferred type of affordable housing for people. All they can
33 do is encourage the City of Bellinqham to do more infill. She moved to amend
34 Comprehensive Plan page 3 -17, Goal 3C, 'Create opportunityies and encourage all
35 jurisdictions to support creation of an adequate supply of preferred housing types that
36 are affordable for a broad r���rra�e- red affi a�fli�y "
37
38 The motion was seconded.
39
40 Donovan stated he doesn't understand what "preferred" housing refers to.
41
42 Brenner stated she wants data to show what types of housing people prefer.
43 Acknowledge and respect different styles of housing.
44
45 Donovan stated the next policy addresses the greatest possible mix of housing types.
46
47 Sidhu stated he's heard suggestions that the County should install the services in
48 urban growth areas to make housing affordable. That puts the cost on everyone else. He
49 hasn't heard any innovative ideas for making housing more affordable. The
50 councilmembers don't have the expertise to come up with the innovative ideas like
51 developers and other people do who work in the industry.
52
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/31/2016, Page 2
1 Browne stated affordability is a function of the cost of a house and the income
2 available to pay for the cost of the house. They must work on raising average wages. The
3 Council doesn't have an impact on housing costs, labor costs, or material costs.
4
5 Brenner stated come up with pre- approved designs and plans that someone can
6 choose from. It would save money at the Planning Department minimizing the Planning
7 Department's staff time needed on a project. More people would rather live in a single
8 family house. She amended her motion to amend Comprehensive Plan page 3 -17, Goal
9 3C, "Create opportunityies and encourage all jurisdictions to support creation of an
10 adequate supply of gre€eFFed desired housing types that are affordable dread ge--ef
11 housing types and enceurage ed affe bility."
12
13 Browne moved to call the question.
14
15 The motion to call the question carried by the following vote:
16 Ayes: Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Weimer (4)
17 Nays: Mann, Brenner and Donovan (3)
18
19 The motion to amend failed by the following vote:
20 Ayes: Brenner, Sidhu, and Buchanan (3)
21 Nays: Donovan, Browne, Mann, and Weimer (4)
22
23 Brenner referenced Proposed Council Changes to Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 3,
24 item three, and asked if it is okay to use the word "goal" instead of "vision."
25
26 Karin Beringer, Planning Department, stated this is a vision statement. There are
27 already numbered goals in the Chapter.
28
29 Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 3 -15, line 17:
30
31 Adopting an Ambitious but Achievable Affordable Housing Visien Goal
32 to ensure /support achievement of an adequate supply of desired housing
33 types that are affordable.
34 Whatcom County and its cities might consider adopting a HOUSING VISIG v
35 GOAL that sets the bar at a high but achievable level:
36
37 "By the year 2036, every community and neighborhood has a healthy mix of
38 housing sizes, types and prices, affordable at the wages of the jobs nearby. A
39 balanced mix of housing will have housing costs in sync with wages and
40 incomes in the community."
41
42 To achieve this overarching vismen goal, the following goals and policies
43 are adopted:...
44
45 The motion was seconded.
46
47 Donovan suggested a friendly amendment, "A goal to achieve an adequate
48 supply of housing types that are affordable."
49
50 Brenner accepted the friendly amendment.
51
52 The motion carried by the following vote:
53 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan and Donovan (6)
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/31/2016, Page 3
1 Nays: Weimer (1)
2
3 Brenner referenced Proposed Council Changes to Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 3,
4 item four, and stated housing for young families with children is important and necessary.
5 She moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 3 -18, lines 21 -24, "Availability of housing
6 for seniors, young adults, young families with children, single parents, and groups is
7 frequently overlooked by both the private development sector and the public sector. In
8 addition, many migrant farm workers entering the county each season face substandard
9 housing and homelessness." She stated young families with children is a necessary sector
10 for affordable housing.
11
12 Mann stated young families with children are who the private sector is building for.
13 The statement is incorrect.
14
15 The motion was seconded.
16
17 Linda Twitchell stated identify low and middle income buyers instead of these groups
18 of people. Those are the groups who currently need help.
19
20 Mann asked if it's true that those buyers are overlooked by the private and public
21 sectors. They should just delete the whole thing.
22
23 Brenner amended her motion and moved to delete the entire two sentences on
24 Comprehensive Plan page 3 -18, lines 21 -24, "{��I�— e€ -,"K. rig
25 adultl gle- parent , and groups is frequently everleal --d b, b-th the private develepment
26 secs, and t-he-publie seeter. in addition, tic eaunt,
27 each season fa I. S g- a�d-helT7e esse�
28
29 The motion was seconded.
30
31 The motion carried by the following vote:
32 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan and Donovan (6)
33 Nays: Weimer (1)
34
35 Brenner referenced Proposed Council Changes to Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 3,
36 item five, and moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 3 -18, Goal 3D with changes,
37 "Encourage p- rev-is�eff -ef adequate housing types heusing at every income level."
38
39 The motion was seconded.
40
41 The motion carried by the following vote:
42 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
43 Nays: None (0)
44
45 Weimer referenced Proposed Council Changes to Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 3,
46 item six, and stated staff suggested this language. He moved to amend Comprehensive
47 Plan page 3 -19, to create a new policy, "3D -4: Consider establishing a housing
48 development fund, accessible to individuals qualified for affordable housing assistance who
49 are legal residents of the county, administered by an agency and funded by contributions
50 from developers wishing to utilize affordable housing incentives and bonuses, but not
51 wishing to include affordable housing in their own projects."
52
53 Beringer stated it may have been an action item that was consolidated into a policy.
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/31/2016, Page 4
The motion was seconded.
Brenner stated it sounds like it's required, not voluntary.
Donovan stated it's voluntary. Someone could make a contribution to a fund rather
than develop affordable housing if they still want to have the incentive.
Weimer amended his motion and moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 3-
19, to create a new policy, "3D -4: Consider establishing a housing development fund,
accessible to individuals qualified for affordable housing assistance who are legal residents
of the county, administered by an agency and funded by contributions from developers
wishing to utilize affordable housing incentives and bonuses, but not wishing to include
affordable housing in thei- "wf-r- pre}eets the project receiving the incentives or bonuses."
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner referenced Proposed Council Changes to Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 3,
item seven, and moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 3 -19, Policy 3E -1, with
changes, "Encourage all jurisdictions to provide adequate stocks of housing types. Review
and revise existing regulations to identify...."
The motion was seconded.
Weimer stated it doesn't relate to the rest of the policy.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner (1)
Nays: Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (6)
Weimer referenced Proposed Council Changes to Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 3,
item 8a, and stated staff included it, but the Planning Commission removed it. He included
the entire section from staff, including the language in item 8b, which is an extension of the
third bullet item in item 8a. He moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 3 -20 to create
a new policy, "3F -5: Explore and consider various financial incentives and funds to support
affordable housing including but not limited to:
• Tax credits for low- income households.
• Use of EDI funds for a "housing trust fund" to provide funding for housing
priorities set by the jurisdictions involved.
• Use of the "Real Estate Excise Tax "."
Brenner stated she doesn't want a countywide tax or levy. There are plenty of taxes
that can be applied to housing, and the emergency medical services (EMS) levy is coming
up for a vote.
The motion was seconded.
Donovan stated don't apply Economic Development Investment (EDI) funds to
housing.
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/31/2016, Page 5
1 Sidhu stated that if people qualify, they can apply, but they don't need to specifically
2 identify EDI funds in the policy.
3
4 Browne stated don't shift the burden of low income housing to those who can barely
5 afford housing. Use federal or state funds that don't put a burden on local people. Also, he
6 struggles to find a connection to economic development.
7
8 Mann stated he is opposed to the motion. This isn't something he likes
9 philosophically.
10
11 Donovan stated include the policy without the specific bullet points.
12
13 Brenner stated specific language is necessary, or else it's just feel -good language.
14
15 Donovan suggested a friendly amendment to remove the three bullet points
16 from the motion and just approve the policy, "Explore and consider various financial
17 incentives and funds to support affordable housing."
18
19 Weimer accepted the friendly amendment.
20
21 The motion carried by the following vote:
22 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
23 Nays: None (0)
24
25
26 OTHER BUSINESS
27
28 The councilmembers discussed setting a deadline for submitting Council- proposed
29 changes.
30
31 Brenner moved to set the deadline to the end of June.
32
33 The motion was not seconded.
34
35 Weimer stated set the deadline on June 24.
36
37 Buchanan stated they will continue discussion during the evening's Committee of the
38 Whole meeting.
39
40
41 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTERS 3 AND 7
42
43 3. DISCUSSION AND PRELIMINARY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON COMPREHENSIVE
44 PLAN CHAPTER 7, ECONOMICS (AB2016 -047G)
45
46 This item was not discussed.
47
48
49 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 10 DESIGN
50
51 1. BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 10,
52 DESIGN (AB2016 -0477)
53
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/31/2016, Page 6
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
This item was not discussed.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - GENERAL
1. DISCUSSION AND PRELIMINARY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON OUTSTANDING
AMENDMENT PROPOSALS (VARIOUS CHAPTERS): CHAPTER 2, LAND USE
(AB2016- 047B); CHAPTER 5, UTILITIES (AB2016- 047E); CHAPTER 6,
TRANSPORTATION (AB2016- 047F); CHAPTERS, LAND USE (AB2016- 047H);
CHAPTER 11, ENVIRONMENT (AB2016- 047K); APPENDIX G, WATER
RESOURCES AND SALMON RECOVERY (AB2016 -047R)
This item was not discussed.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
The Council, approved these minutes on July 26, 2016.
did ,
ATTEST"\
U Q co
c4na 8 , R, -P Ot6un Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/31/2016, Page 7