### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Planning and Development Committee met on January 28, 2025, to discuss proposed zoning code changes specific to Lummi Island. The committee reviewed amendments that would increase maximum building heights in the Rural Residential Island (RRI) zone from 24 feet to either 25 feet (within 100 feet of shoreline) or 30 feet (beyond that zone). ### Key Terms and Concepts **Rural Residential Island (RRI):** A unique zoning designation used only on the northern half of Lummi Island, currently with the lowest maximum residential building height in Whatcom County at 24 feet. **Building Height Measurement:** In shoreline areas, measured from average existing grade to highest point of structure; outside shoreline, measured from average finished grade to average roof height. **Fire Flow Requirement:** A water pressure and volume standard needed for firefighting, currently required for rural residential structures over 4,000 square feet, proposed to also apply to RRI structures over 25 feet regardless of size. **Setback Requirement:** A planning tool requiring buildings to be set back one foot for every foot of height over 25 feet, helping reduce visual and shadow impacts on neighboring properties. **Lummi Island Sub-area Plan:** Planning documents from 1979 and 2009 that identified water supply as the limiting factor for fire insurance rating and noted wildland fire hazards due to steep terrain and limited access. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Ben Elenbaas | Committee Chair, County Council Member | | Todd Donovan | Committee Member, County Council Member | | Jon Scanlon | Committee Member, County Council Member | | Lucas Clark | Long Range Planner, Planning and Development Services | | Barry Buchanan | County Council Member (observer) | | Kaylee Galloway | County Council Member (observer) | ### Background Context Lummi Island's unique geography and infrastructure create special challenges for development and fire safety. The island has limited water supply and challenging terrain with steep, narrow roads that make fire response difficult. Current height restrictions at 24 feet are more restrictive than other rural areas in Whatcom County, which can go up to 35 feet. The proposed changes would bring Lummi Island more in line with county standards while adding safety requirements for taller buildings. This change was requested after a resident had difficulty building a shop due to trees and terrain constraints under current height limits. ### What Happened — The Short Version Staff presented proposed code changes that would raise building height limits on Lummi Island from 24 feet to 25 feet near shorelines and 30 feet elsewhere. The changes include new setback requirements and fire flow standards for buildings over 25 feet. Committee members expressed support, noting they had consulted with the fire department, which had no concerns. Council Member Donovan attempted to make a motion to recommend the changes, but the committee realized no formal action was needed since a public hearing was scheduled for that evening. ### What to Watch Next • Public hearing on the ordinance scheduled for January 28, 2025 evening Council meeting • Full Council consideration and potential adoption after public input • Implementation timeline for new height standards if adopted ---