HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2023-049Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Bellingham, WA98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Report
File Number: AB2023-776
File ID: AB2023-776 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 11/14/2023 Entered by: CHalka@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Public Works & Health Committee Final Action: 11/21/2023
Agenda Date: 11/21/2023 Enactment #: RES 2023-049
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: chalka@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution requesting that the Whatcom County Executive and staff pursue public access opportunities
for trails on all county -owned land and easements
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Resolution requesting that the Whatcom County Executive and staff pursue public access opportunities
for trails on all county -owned land and easements
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
11/21/2023 Council Public Works & Health RECOMMENDED FOR
Committee APPROVAL
Aye: 3 Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
11/21/2023 Council APPROVED
Aye: 5 Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 1 Elenbaas
Absent: 1 Byrd
Attachments: Resolution
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1112212023
1 PROPOSED BY: FRAZEY
2 INTRODUCTION DATE: NOVEMBER 21, 2023
3
4 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-049
5
6 REQUESTING THAT THE WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND STAFF
7 PURSUE PUBLIC ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAILS
8 ON ALL COUNTY -OWNED LAND AND EASEMENTS
9
10 WHEREAS, trails offer Whatcom County residents recreational opportunities that
11 improve the quality of life, health, and wellness for communities; and
12
13 WHEREAS, trails in Whatcom County drive tourism and are a source of community
14 recreation and economic growth; and
15
16 WHEREAS, expanding Whatcom County's trail system to include trail access
17 opportunities on flood control, landslide mitigation, watershed management and other public
18 works facilities could better serve areas of Whatcom currently without access to the many
19 economic and health benefits that come from recreational and nonmotorized trail opportunities;
20 and
21
22 WHEREAS, on February 23, 2016, the Whatcom County Council approved Resolution
23 2016-005, adopting the 2016 Comprehensive Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan. and
24
25 WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Parks, Recreation & Open Space (CPROS) Plan outlines
26 goals and policies to protect the environment, preserve historic lands, and encourage the
27 retention of open space and development of recreational opportunities, natural resources, and
28 parks; and
29
30 WHEREAS, Policy 4G-2 of the Whatcom County CPROS Plan adopts a level of service
31 standard for trails equivalent to 0.6 miles per 1,000 people; and
32
33 WHEREAS, Policy 9C-11 of the Whatcom County CPROS Plan encourages the
34 consideration of public access for trail purposes on publicly funded dikes, levees, or revetments;
35 and
36
37 WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department is currently drafting
38 updates to the Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan; and
39
40 WHEREAS, an update to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan is currently
41 underway and provides an opportunity to establish a priority on trails construction on county-
42 owned properties and easements; and
43
44 WHEREAS, on June 20, 2023, the Whatcom County Council adopted the Six -Year Capital
45 Improvement Program for Whatcom County Facilities (Ordinance 2023-035), which identifies
46 approximately 74 additional miles of trails to serve the people of Whatcom County; and
47
48 WHEREAS, County -owned land and County -owned flood control, landslide mitigation,
49 and watershed management sites, such as the 124 acres of floodplain land recently acquired by
50 the County near Acme, WA (Ordinance 2023-033), offer trail opportunities in desirable and
51 naturally aesthetic areas; and
52
53 WHEREAS, fully leveraging the many diverse opportunities of County -owned land is
54 crucial for developing equitable trail access in areas that lack adequate trail opportunities; and
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WHEREAS, there are requirements and guidelines for trail construction, including those
listed in Whatcom CountyCode _._Ch_apter,_.16.16 and the Whatcom _CountvParks _._and Recreation
TrailClassifications and Design Parameters; and
WHEREAS, the construction of trails on flood control, landslide mitigation, watershed
management, and other county facilities may deviate from those standards in order to protect
the primary purpose of the facility.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council requests that
the County Executive and their staff
• Include goals in the Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Plan and the
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan to expand trail access on flood control, landslide
mitigation, watershed management, and other county facilities,
• Identify existing flood control and landslide mitigation facilities where trail access can
address equitable access to recreation and non -motorized trail opportunities,
• Establish a policy related to any use restrictions and/or alternative design standards for
trails located on flood control, landslide mitigation, or other public works facilities, and
• Review and prioritize potential recreational and nonmotorized trail opportunities for each
and every County property or easement acquisition for any purpose.
A day of 2023.
0.
ATTEST; CjV,�y,:� `
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1' m
Dana rown-Ta titC, Crk'6f th-0-Council
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APPROVED AS IG FORM'
Karen Frakes (by email 11/15/2023/ch)
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASJH, INGTON
Barry jRLVhAnan,/Co'0ncil Chair