HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources September 27 20161
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
September 27, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Carl Weimer, Satpal Sidhu and Todd Donovan
Absent: None
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN FOREST PRESERVE AND LAKE WHATCOM PARK
RECREATIONAL TRAILS PLAN (AB2016 -091A)
Rod Lamb, Parks and Recreation Department, submitted and read from a
presentation (on file) and answered questions on whether an environmental impact study
considered traffic and parking impacts to the drinking water and watershed, whether
they've considered user impacts to the watershed, the possibility of using a quota system to
regulate impacts, existing and projected equestrian and camping uses and their impacts,
the County's inability to purchase Galbraith Mountain property, access for fire services, not
putting trails in the Smith Creek ravine area, how to discourage illegal trail - building, and the
possibility of using specialized drones for monitoring.
Christ Thomson, Parks and Recreation Department, answered questions on
enforcement and additional staffing needs for the area.
2. DISCUSSION OF A DRAFT ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS 20.51,
20.71, 20.80, 20.85, 20.97 AND TITLE 21 OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY
CODE TO MAKE LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID) A STORMWATER
AND LAND USE STRATEGY THAT STRIVES TO MIMIC NATURAL
HYDROLOGIC PROCESSES, THE PREFERRED APPROACH TO SITE
DEVELOPMENT BY MINIMIZING IMPERVIOUS SURFACES, NATIVE
VEGETATION LOSS, AND STORMWATER RUNOFF (AB2016 -257)
Cliff Strong, Planning and Development Services Department, referenced the staff
report.
Wain Harrison, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions
about the necessary size of roads for fire and emergency access, increased setback
requirements for an agricultural processing plant for fire flow, and local discretion to
overrule fire code regulations.
Natural Resources Committee, 9/27/2016, Page 1
1 Mike Kershner, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions
2 on tracking the cumulative loss of trees on a property and runoff control if forested land is
3 converted to blueberries.
4
5 Strong answered questions on membership of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee
6 (SAC) and whether the changes simplify the code or are burdensome. He concluded the
7 staff report and answered questions about commercial agricultural practices in
8 20.80.631(2).
9
10 Noel Higa, Public Works Department, answered questions about agricultural
11 conversion exemption language in the Stormwater Manual.
12
13 Weimer moved to recommend introduction of the ordinance as presented in the
14 packet. The motion was seconded.
15
16 The motion carried by the following vote:
17 Ayes: Weimer, Sidhu, and Donovan (3)
18 Nays: None (0)
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20
21 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
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23 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER
24 INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY,
25 LUMMI NATION, NOOKSACK INDIAN TRIBE, WASHINGTON STATE
26 DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE, THE CITIES OF BELLINGHAM,
27 BLAINE, EVERSON, FERNDALE, LYNDEN, NOOKSACK, AND SUMAS
28 AND PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 OF WHATCOM COUNTY
29 REGARDING COORDINATED WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES
30 MANAGEMENT (AB2016 -258)
31
32 Weimer stated the committee would work through the substitute version submitted
33 to the Council the previous day.
34
35 Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and answered questions
36 about the agencies that recommended changes; possible changes to the Planning Unit;
37 voting rights of the small cities and fisheries caucus representatives; inclusion of the Ag
38 Water Board; a long -term plan for working on all water issues; sharing the costs of
39 administering the board with other jurisdictions; defining who the members will be; and
40 including representatives of other water associations, well owners, and other water
41 purveyors; and making sure the decisions these boards make are equitable.
42
43 Jack Louws, County Executive, spoke about the collaboration of all agencies to
44 develop this new structure.
45
46 Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
47
48 The motion was seconded.
49
50 The motion carried by the following vote:
51 Ayes: Weimer, Sidhu, and Donovan (3)
52 Nays: None (0)
53
Natural Resources Committee, 9/27/2016, Page 2
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2 OTHER BUSINESS
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4 There was no other business.
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6
7 ADJOURN
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9 The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
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18 Dacia Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
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23 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 9/27/2016, Page 3