### Meeting Overview Whatcom County Council's Planning and Development Committee met on March 11, 2025, to consider five proposed amendments to the county's comprehensive plan and development regulations. The committee ultimately recommended approval of all five proposals after significant debate about private development applications in the Birch Bay area. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Docket:** A list of proposed comprehensive plan and development regulation amendments that the county maintains throughout the year. The council approves the docket annually, but can add items at any time. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Designated areas where urban development and services are planned and encouraged, as required by the Growth Management Act. **Urban Growth Reserve:** Areas identified for potential future inclusion in the urban growth area, but not currently designated for urban development. **Comprehensive Plan Amendment:** Changes to the county's long-range planning document that guides land use decisions and development regulations. **Land Capacity Analysis:** A study that determines whether existing urban growth areas can accommodate projected population growth. **Impervious Surface:** Hard surfaces like pavement, rooftops, and sidewalks that prevent water from soaking into the ground, affecting stormwater management. **Capital Facilities Element:** The portion of the comprehensive plan that identifies public facilities and services needed to support development. **Code Scrub:** Annual review and revision of county codes to ensure consistency with comprehensive plan policies and state requirements. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Ben Elenbaas | Committee Chair, Council Member District 5 | | Todd Donovan | Council Member District 3 | | Jon Scanlon | Council Member District 2 | | Lucas Clark | Planning and Development Services Department | | Matt Aamot | Planning and Development Services Department | | Michael Kershner | Planning and Development Services Department | | Kaylee Galloway | Council Member District 2 (observing) | ### Background Context This meeting occurred during Whatcom County's comprehensive plan update process, required every eight years under state law. The docket process allows the county to consider amendments to its comprehensive plan and development regulations throughout the year. Three private property owners submitted applications seeking to expand the Birch Bay Urban Growth Area and modify impervious surface requirements for schools in the Lake Padden watershed. The debate highlighted tensions between accommodating private development requests and following the county's systematic comprehensive planning process. County staff indicated that preliminary analysis suggests existing urban growth areas can accommodate projected population growth, making additional UGA expansions potentially unnecessary. ### What Happened — The Short Version Planning staff presented five proposed docket items: two routine county-initiated amendments (capital facilities updates and code revisions), two private applications to expand the Birch Bay UGA, and one application from Bellingham School District to modify impervious surface requirements for Wade King Elementary. After procedural confusion about motions, the committee voted 2-1 to recommend approval of all five items. Council Member Donovan opposed the private applications, arguing they conflict with the ongoing comprehensive plan process. The committee also discussed long-delayed vacation rental regulations. ### What to Watch Next • Full County Council consideration of AB2025-194 in evening session • Public hearings and Planning Commission review if docket items are approved • Mid-biennium budget review discussion of vacation rental registration fees • Continued comprehensive plan update process and land capacity analysis ---