HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning July 25 2017WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
July 25, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Carl Weimer, Barbara Brenner, and Rud Browne
Absent: None
Also Present: Todd Donovan, Barry Buchanan, and Barry Buchanan,
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO
WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 20 ZONING, RELATING TO THE WAIVER OF
SPACING REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN MARIJUANA PRODUCTION FACILITIES
AND COMMUNITY CENTERS IN THE RURAL, AGRICULTURE, AND RURAL
FORESTRY DISTRICTS, AND AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF COMMUNITY
CENTER (ORDINANCE SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING THIS EVENING)
(AB2017 -223)
Gary Davis, Planning and Development Department, gave a staff report.
Davis and Nick Smith, Planning and Development Services Department, answered
questions on whether community centers includes schools, the setbacks that other
communities require, whether any of the operations are outdoors, requirements for odor
control, and whether there have been many complaints from the public since the laws were
adopted.
Ezra Eickmeyer, Agape Research, spoke in support of an applicant for a buffer waiver
and stated he would like the County to eliminate the buffer requirement entirely. This is the
only jurisdiction in the state that has a buffer from churches. It would be easier
administratively, but possibly not politically favorable, to eliminate the buffer entirely.
Eliminating this buffer does not supersede the State law's 1,000 foot buffer from schools
and daycares. He answered questions about the hemp industry in Whatcom County.
Councilmembers discussed the process for changing the setback.
2. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO
WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 20 ZONING, EXEMPTING PUBLIC
COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS FROM LOT COVERAGE
LIMITS IN THE RESIDENTIAL RURAL (RR), RURAL (R), AND POINT ROBERTS
TRANSITIONAL ZONE (TZ) DISTRICTS (ORDINANCE SCHEDULED FOR
INTRODUCTION THIS EVENING) (AB2017 -230)
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
Planning and Development Committee, 7/25/2017, Page 1
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2 3. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY
3 CODE TITLE 20 ZONING AND THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE
4 PLAN RELATING TO CUMULATIVE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE
5 STANDARDS (ORDINANCE MAY BE ADDED TO INTRODUCTION THIS
6 EVENING) (AB2017 -195)
7
8 Gary Davis, Planning and Development Department, gave a staff report and
9 submitted a handout (on file) and answered questions. At the July 11 Council meeting, it
10 was referred back to committee for a discussion of different threshold levels.
11
12 Brenner moved to consider the Planning Commission recommendation. The motion
13 was seconded.
14
15 Ryan Ericson, Planning and Development Services Department, also answered
16 questions.
17
18 Councilmembers discussed the impact to agricultural activities in rural zones, not
19 placing a 45,000 square foot cap on larger farms in the rural zone, whether the original
20 number was based on science, whether the regulation encourages people to subdivide, how
21 the regulations are based on science, whether there are land cover retention requirements
22 in the rural zones, and how much more it costs to follow the stormwater manual.
23
24 Browne moved to amend to allow the higher of 45,000 square feet or either five or
25 ten percent of the parcel size. There was no second.
26
27 Loren VanderYacht described his background. In rural Whatcom County, infiltration
28 is the cheapest, easiest, and most environmentally - friendly way to get rid of water. He
29 supports the Planning Commission recommendation. He answered questions about
30 construction with pervious materials and allowing a process for smaller residential projects,
31 so they don't need engineering.
32
33 Fred Likkel stated he agrees with the comments of Mr. VanderYacht, the Planning
34 Commission recommendation, and not limiting larger parcels at 45,000 square feet.
35
36 Brad Rader stated he and other farmers support the Planning Commission
37 recommendation. He invited councilmembers to attend the ag tour in August.
38
39 Linda Twitchell, Building Industry Association, stated the Growth Management Act
40 requires they protect communities and rural lifestyles. If there is less coverage on small
41 properties than in the county, it may defeat the point of living in a rural environment.
42
43 Carole Perry stated the councilmembers should listen to the comments from the
44 farmers at the Planning Commission hearing.
45
46 Brenner accepted Councilmember Browne's motion as a friendly amendment to
47 allow the higher of 45,000 square feet or five percent of the parcel size.
48
49 Councilmembers discussed how to know whether stormwater is effectively managed
50 on a farm with a farm plan and the increase in total coverage.
51
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Weimer moved to add language, "application of the stormwater manual is not
required where ....effectively managed equivalent to the standards of the stormwater
manual."
The motion was seconded.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer and Browne (2)
Nays: Brenner (1)
Councilmembers discussed how to separate agricultural uses from residential
"McMansion" uses.
The motion to work from the Planning Commission recommendation as amended
carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner and Browne (2)
Nays: Weimer (1)
This ordinance will come to the Council for introduction in two weeks.
4. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED WHATCOM COUNTY CODE AMENDMENTS TO
CONSOLIDATE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURES (AB2017 -227)
Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report and
presentation (on file). The goal is more clarity and efficiency for the public without changing
the substance of the regulations. He answered questions on whether the process would
become faster, vesting procedures, when the staff can submit the proposed consolidation to
the Planning Commission, and whether appeals of Hearing Examiner decisions should go
directly to the Superior Court.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:36 p.m.
ATTESTI `11 � C 0
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Dana�-Brown- Davis, Council Cfi rk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 7/25/2017, Page 3