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You are here: Home) Government) Public Involvement) Boards & Commissions) Planning Commission ) SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 Minutes

RECORD OF PROCEEDING OF THE
Planning Commission
PUBLIC HEARING
CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 07:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS

CALL TO ORDER: The PUBLIC HEARING of the Planning Commission was called to order by Tom Barrett - (Chair).

ROLL CALL:

    Commission Members Tom Barrett; Jim Bishop; Kurt Baumgarten; and Edie Norton

    Commission Members
    Absent Sharon Robinson, Allen Matsumoto, and Danne Neill

    Planning Staff Members Greg Aucutt,Senior Planner
    Brian J Smart,Planner II/Land Use
    Heather M Aven,Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes for June 18, July 9, July 16, July 23, and August 6 were submitted for approval.

      MOTION: Edie Norton moved to approve the June 18, 2009 minutes with corrections. SECONDED. VOTE: ALL AYES
      MOTION: Kurt Baumgarten moved to approve the July 9, 2009 minutes with corrections. SECONDED. VOTE: ALL AYES

      MOTION: Jim Bishop moved to approve the July 16, 2009 minutes with corrections. SECONDED. VOTE: 3-0-1 (BAUMGARTEN ABSTAINED)
      MOTION: Edie Norton moved to approve the July 23, 2009 minutes with corrections. SECONDED. VOTE: ALL AYES

      MOTION: Edie Norton moved to approve the August 6, 2009 minutes with corrections. SECONDED. VOTE: 3-0-1 (BAUMGARTEN ABSTAINED)


15 MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Julie Guy, Guide Meridian/Cordata Neighborhood Association read a letter submitted into the record regarding the additional development proposed to happen throughout the Guide Meridian/Cordata Neighborhood and the lack of public amenities in that community to serve it.
    PUBLIC HEARING
    ZON2009-00005: A Public Hearing to consider a proposed text amendment submitted by the South Hill Neighborhood Association (SHNA) to amend the South Hill Neighborhood Plan. The SHNA proposes to add new language to the “Neighborhood Character” section of the plan concerning trees and view preservation.
    STAFF PRESENTATION
    Brian Smart stated that staff does not object to the proposed amendment to the South Hill Neighborhood Plan. He explained that the new language, including the 2 “privately owned” additions, would become part of the neighborhood character section of the plan in an effort to provide policy direction for residents regarding trees and view preservation. He pointed out that the proposed text amendment does not add regulatory language to the Bellingham Municipal Code, and the “privately owned” additions were included to alleviate the concern that the Public Works Department would be required to maintain non-city owned trees.

    Cathy Cameron, South Hill Neighborhood Association President stated that the South Hill Neighborhood is requesting to add one paragraph to the character section of their plan. She explained that the proposed language addresses the neighborhood values regarding view preservation and vegetation.

    Christy Austin, South Hill Neighborhood Association stated that the amendment meets the requirements of the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan and has the support of the neighborhood. She pointed out that the additional language not only addresses the neighborhood value statement, it is also the result of neighborhood cooperation. She emphasized that the proposed amendment is not intended to infringe on personal property rights, or change/modify design standards, CC&R’s, or other regulatory codes. She read the language and pointed out that every word was carefully chosen and agreed upon by the neighborhood at their November, 2008 meeting. She encouraged the Planning Commission to recommend approval and reiterated that the amendment is consistent with the comprehensive plan, it has broad based neighborhood involvement and support, it preserves neighborhood character, it represents compromise, and it is totally voluntary. She reviewed some of the public process that the neighborhood association considered while forming this amendment.

    Edie Norton wanted to know if there was opposition to this amendment.

    Christy Austin replied that throughout the process both sides were represented, those that wanted the view and those that wanted the trees. She stated that although there were heated discussions, the language that is being proposed is the result of this groups collaborative effort and compromise.

    Edie Norton wanted to know if any neighbors would be asked to remove their trees.

    Christy Austin reiterated that since the language is not regulatory, those decisions would be determined by individual neighbors talking with one another.

    Edie Norton asked how new residents to the South Hill neighborhood would become aware of this suggestion.

    Christy Austin replied that the information will be discussed at neighborhood meetings, it will be available on the website, and through the e-mail distribution list. She also stated that the education, this group has received through the process of writing the proposed text amendment, will be shared with other neighbors via the same venues.
    PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
    Cathy McKenzie, MNAC Representative stated that the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Council (MNAC) overwhelmingly supports the South Hill Neighborhood Plan amendment, and requests that the Planning Commission forward a recommendation of approval to City Council.

    Alex Kosmides encouraged the City to also consider the trees and vegetation in public right-of-ways and be open to hearing neighbors concern relating to them.
    PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
    DISCUSSION:

    Kurt Baumgarten stated that he is willing to recommend approval of the amendment, but not without some hesitation. He pointed out that the language favors the pruning, thinning, and removal of trees which could be mis-interpreted by some residents. He also stated that the amendment does not have anything to do with wildlife habitat, and in fact could be more against it than for it. He suggested striking that portion of the proposal.

    Cathy Cameron stated that this was a long process, with many meetings. She explained that each word was carefully chosen and ultimately accepted, and those neighbors that appreciate the wildlife were very interested in having it be represented in the amendment. She requested that the Commission allow it to remain.

    Christy Austin clarified that “wildlife” pertains mostly to the birds that live in the trees.

    Jim Bishop stated he was in favor of leaving it in the plan, given the clarification by the neighborhood and recommended approval.

    Edie Norton suggested changing the wording to “its trees and the wildlife they sustain or attract” in an effort to make the meaning behind “wildlife” more clear.

    Kurt Baumgarten suggested “provide” instead of sustain or attract.

    Tom Barrett clarified the sentence would read “Equally distinctive aspects of South Hill are its trees and the wildlife habitat that they provide”.

    Kurt Baumgarten stated that although it is an improvement, the paragraph is not about wildlife at all, it is about view preservation.

    Tom Barrett agreed with the revision and would be willing to support the amendment.

    Edie Norton referenced Carl Roehl’s letter and wanted staff to respond to the comment in the third paragraph about giving “the proposed amendment some teeth”.

    Greg Aucutt stated that the City is not interested in, nor do they have the resources to, regulate the height or density of vegetation.

    Cathy Cameron stated that the neighborhood has no desire for this amendment to become regulatory.
        MOTION: Edie Norton moved to adopt the Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Recommendations contained in the September 17, 2009 staff report as amended, and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. SECONDED. VOTE: ALL AYES.



    GENERAL BUSINESS:

    Planning Director’s Report
    Greg Aucutt referenced the letter from the Bellingham City Council and Mayor Pike regarding the on-going Urban Growth Area discussions. He pointed out that if the urban growth area total population number for Bellingham of 116,201 is adopted, it would mean that the City would need to plan accommodations for an additional 4,400 residents. He stated that at this time, the current land supply does not support 116,000.
      Greg Aucutt also reported that the employment growth allocation has been recommended exactly as the City suggested. He stated that the County Executive has recommended removing three areas from the Bellingham UGA - Geneva, Hillsdale, and South Yew Street and placing Lake Padden Watershed into a reserve category.
        Greg Aucutt reviewed the County’s schedule as they work toward adopting revisions by December 1, 2009. He pointed out whatever is adopted will be used in the 2011 comprehensive plan update.
          There was discussion about the water quality issues that surround Lake Whatcom.
          Staff Discussion
            Commissioner Discussion
            There was a discussion about a half-day retreat.
              ADJOURNED: 8:10 p.m.

              NEXT MEETING: October 8, 2009 in City Council Chambers.


              Minutes prepared by:

              _____________________________
              Heather Aven, Recording Secretary

              Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.

              This is a digital copy of an original document located at Bellingham's City Hall. The City of Bellingham specifically disclaims any responsibility or liability for the contents of this document. The City of Bellingham does not verify the correctness, accuracy, or validity of the information appearing in this document.
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