HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2025-027Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-638
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
File ID: AB2025-638 Version: 2 Status: Approved
File Created: 09/04/2025 Entered by: KOos@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 09/09/2025
Agenda Date: 09/09/2025 Enactment #: RES 2025-027
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: koos@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution amending Resolution 2025-013 to docket an additional comprehensive plan and zoning
amendment related to related to Whatcom County Code Chapter 20.40 to include agriculture storage
as a primary permitted use
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See attached
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
09/09/2025 Council Committee of the Whole RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
09/09/2025 Council APPROVED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Attachments: Proposed Resolution, Draft Ordinance for discussion
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 911012025
PROPOSED BY: ELENBAAS
INTRODUCED: SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-027
AMENDING RESOLUTION 2025-013 TO DOCKET AN ADDITIONAL COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN AND ZONING AMENDMENT RELATED TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE CHAPTER
20.40 TO INCLUDE AGRICULTURE STORAGE AS A PRIMARY PERMITTED USE
WHEREAS, agriculture is a cornerstone of Whatcom County's economy and culture,
with 100,000 acres of productive farmland across the county generating over $500 million
in market value from agriculture production (Whatcom County); and
WHEREAS, the state Growth Management Act requires Whatcom County to
designate agricultural lands "that have long-term significance for the commercial production
of food or other agricultural products" (RCW 36.70A.170) and to adopt development
regulations to assure the conservation of agricultural and other natural resource lands (RCW
36.70A.060); and
WHEREAS, the current Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan (Chapter 8, Resource
Lands) calls for to county to "conserve and enhance Whatcom County's agricultural land
base for the continued production of food and fiber" (Goal 8A) and to "... maintain and
enhance the economic viability of the agricultural industry in the county over the long term"
(Policy 8A-3); and
WHEREAS, agricultural operations depend on adequate facilities for storing crops,
feed, seed, harvested products, farm machinery, and equipment; and
WHEREAS, areas within Whatcom County are particularly vulnerable to flooding,
necessitating the storage of crops and equipment outside of the floodplain to increase food
system resilience; and
WHEREAS, under current code interpretation, agricultural storage is often treated as
an accessory use, creating a barrier for farmers wishing to build barns, silos, grain bins, cold
storage, or equipment sheds in an offsite location outside of the floodplain; and
WHEREAS, designating agricultural storage as a primary permitted use within the
Agricultural Zone provides certainty to farmers, reduces unnecessary permitting conflicts,
and supports a functional agriculture economy; and
WHEREAS, permitting agriculture storage under WCC 20.40.50 will also allow
agriculture storage as a permitted use under WCC 20.38 Agriculture Protection Overlay.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council hereby
dockets for formal review the amendment shown on the attached Exhibit A.
APPROVED this 19th day of September , 2025.
ATTEST:
4 6'°
Cathy KaLl a�; Lle the Coq' r cil
APPR0V8D ASeT��F
ya.
U
5
Kimberly Thul,in (by email 9/4/25/koj
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kaylee Ga oway, Council Chair
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