HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning June 13 20171
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
June 13, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 2:37 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, Satpal Sidhu, and Ken Mann
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF THE DRAFT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
PLAN FOR WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT
REGULATION AMENDMENTS (AB2017 -192)
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, referenced and read
from his staff report, beginning on Council packet page 100. He answered questions and
councilmembers discussed vacation rentals as an accessory use in the Lake Whatcom
watershed, the process for removing the Cherry Point item because it's been approved,
developing agricultural incentives through the Comprehensive Plan, voting for the plan so
councilmembers can eventually make a decision, and how many town hall meetings are
necessary.
Brenner moved to amend item 4 in section 4.4.1, "...town hall meeting(s)..."
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Brenner, and Browne (3)
Nays: None (0)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council as amended.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Brenner, and Browne (3)
Nays: None (0)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY
CODE TITLE 20 ZONING AND THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN RELATING TO CUMULATIVE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE
STANDARDS (ORDINANCE SCHEDULED FOR INTRODUCTION THIS EVENING)
(AB2017 -195)
Planning and Development Committee, 6/13/2017, Page 1
1 Gary Davis, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
2 from a presentation (on file).
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4 Ryan Ericson, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions.
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6 Councilmembers discussed why they are only addressing public water supplies, not
7 private; why there was a determination of non - significance; suggestions versus
8 requirements; farm plans in place of the stormwater manual; the percentage of impervious
9 surface versus a specific amount; why there is a reference to studies done in urban areas;
10 whether the County can provide incentives for using pervious surfaces; and review by the
11 Agricultural Advisory Committee.
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13 The following people spoke:
14 • Linda Twitchell, Building Industry Association, spoke on the definition of
15 "impervious surface."
16 . Loren Vander Yacht spoke about the ease of infiltrating the water in the rural
17 areas of the county, whether there are stormwater problems in the county,
18 and intact natural drainage systems in the county.
19 • Carole Perry spoke about getting input from knowledgeable folks who work in
20 the field.
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22 Councilmembers continued to discuss the definition of "impervious surface" and
23 "hard surface "; whether gravel driveways are impervious; credits for using porous concrete;
24 and the need to change State rules.
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26 2. DISCUSSION CONCERNING REQUESTING THE PROSECUTOR MOVE
27 FORWARD WITH SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR REVIEWING THE COUNCIL'S LEGAL
28 AUTHORITY AND POLICY OPTIONS RELATED TO LIMITING FOSSIL FUEL
29 EXPORTS (AB2017 -201)
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31 Sidhu submitted a handout (on file).
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33 Councilmembers discussed the agenda title for this item and emphasizing public
34 safety.
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36 Forrest Longman, Council Legislative Analyst, gave a staff report and stated this item
37 is just for discussion. He described how they chose this firm and the process for going
38 forward. The Prosecutor has the sole discretion for hiring someone.
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40 Councilmembers discussed concerns about doing too much research without
41 expertise in litigating this type of issue; junior staff doing the majority of the work; ensuring
42 a reliable product results from the work; ensuring they hire someone with extensive
43 expertise; how they narrowed down the list of candidate firms; and considering more
44 experienced firms outside of Washington State, because they are dealing with federal laws.
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46 Weimer moved to edit the title, "Discussion of asking the Prosecutor to move
47 forward with hiring special counsel for implementing Policy 2CC -16."
48
49 The motion carried by the following vote:
50 Ayes: Weimer and Browne (2)
51 Nays: Brenner (1)
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Planning and Development Committee, 6/13/2017, Page 2
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The following people spoke
• Tony Larson spoke
move forward with
counsel.
OTHER BUSINESS
about whether the motion requests the prosecutor to
this particular group or consider other options for special
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
,+V1id�*biOs adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
N
,•' �C04
Di4 Brow pi, 10'av9,,�-,ouncil Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Planning and Development Committee, 6/13/2017, Page 3