HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2019-042File ID:
File Created
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Agenda Date:
AB2019-475
09/11 /2019
Planning and
Development Services
Department
Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2019-475
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Version: 1 Status: Approved
Entered by: CElder@co.whatcom.wa.us
File Type: Resolution
Council Natural Resources Committee
09/24/2019
Primary Contact Email: celder@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Final Action: 09/24/2019
Enactment #: RES 2019-042
Resolution declaring the County Council's support for the update to the Rural Land Study to identify
areas deserving heightened agricultural protection measures
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See attachment
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
09/24/2019 Council Natural Resources Committee APPROVED
09/24/2019 Council APPROVED
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 9/25/2019
SPONSORED BY: Planning
PROPOSED BY: Planning
INTRODUCTION DATE:
RESOLUTION # 2019-042
DECLARING THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR THE UPDATE TO
THE RURAL LAND STUDY TO IDENTIFY AREAS DESERVING
HEIGHTENED AGRICULTURAL PROTECTION MEASURES
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee was established under
Whatcom County Ordinance 2001-036 and is governed by Whatcom County
Code Chapter 2.34; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee is to provide review and
recommendations to the Whatcom County Council on issues that affect
agriculture, including assistance with establishment, promotion, and
implementation of a comprehensive agricultural protection program; and
WHEREAS, the county has identified 100,000 acres as being the minimum
acreage needed in farming to support a viable agriculture industry in
Whatcom County (RES 2009-040); and
WHEREAS, the county has identified areas outside the roughly 87,500-acre
Agriculture zone where agricultural land protection efforts should be
strengthened (RES 2009-040); and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee and staff were requested by
the county to recommend options that strengthen farm land preservation
policies in these areas (RES 2009-040); and
WHEREAS, the county has requested the Agricultural Advisory Committee's
2009 list of tools and strategies be further developed with recommendations
made that enable implementation of these tools (RES 2009-040); and
WHEREAS, County Council adopted the 2018 Agriculture Strategic Plan (RES
2018-027) to support the goals of farmland preservation and to support the
agricultural industry in Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee conducted open public
meetings in 2018-2019 to develop an update to the Rural Land Study to
more accurately identify priority areas outside of the Agriculture Zone; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Advisory Committee unanimously voted to
endorse the 2019 Rural Land Study Update on May 22, 2019; and
WHEREAS, members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee and staff
discussed the Rural Land Study Update with the County Council at the
September 24, 2019 Natural Resources Committee meeting;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council
hereby endorses this Rural Land Study Update, and commits the time and
resources necessary for development and implementation of heightened
agricultural protection measures as proposed by the Agricultural Advisory
Committee during its 2019 -2020 season; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Council affirms the important
role of the Agricultural Advisory Committee and Agriculture Program staff in
developing recommendations for appropriate code changes and
comprehensive plan amendments as identified in the Whatcom County
Agricultural Strategic Plan and supporting documents such as the Rural Land
Study Update.
APPROVED this 24th day of September 2019
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Darya Brawiil`A Avis, Council Clerk
APPROVED as tea -form:
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY,
WASHINOTON /1
Rud Browne, Chairman