### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Planning and Development Committee met on March 25, 2025, to discuss proposed amendments to home-based business regulations and to review comprehensive plan amendments for docketing. The committee focused on modernizing zoning codes to better accommodate rural businesses and agritourism while maintaining appropriate oversight. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Home-Based Business:** A new umbrella term replacing "home occupations" and "cottage industries" to describe businesses operated from residential properties, with four different types based on potential impacts. **Agritourism:** Farm-based recreational activities like corn mazes, farm festivals, and wedding venues that allow agricultural operations to diversify their income streams. **Docketing:** The formal process of adding proposed comprehensive plan amendments to the county's official work schedule for review and potential adoption. **Type 4 Home-Based Business:** The highest intensity classification for home-based businesses, specifically designed to accommodate event facilities like wedding venues and large gatherings. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Designated areas where urban development is planned and encouraged, with higher density zoning to accommodate population growth. **Comprehensive Plan Amendment:** Changes to the county's long-term land use planning document that guides development patterns and zoning decisions. **Cottage Industry:** The current code classification for larger home-based businesses, which is being replaced by the new home-based business types. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Ben Elenbaas | Committee Chair, Council Member District 5 | | Jon Scanlon | Council Member District 6 | | Todd Donovan | Council Member District 1 | | Mark Personius | Planning and Development Services Director | | Cliff Strong | Senior Planner (retiring in April) | | Rajeev Mujumdar | Hearing Examiner | | Lucas Clark | Planning and Development Services | | Amy Keenan | Planning and Development Services | ### Background Context Whatcom County has been grappling with outdated zoning code that doesn't adequately address the reality of modern home-based businesses and agritourism operations. The current system forced staff to use workarounds, classifying wedding venues and farm festivals under regulations that weren't designed for these uses. This created ambiguity and inconsistent enforcement that frustrated both business operators and county staff. The proposed changes represent two years of collaborative work between the planning commission, county staff, and Council Member Elenbaas, who has been a driving force behind modernizing these regulations. The timing is particularly significant as rural communities seek to diversify their economic base while maintaining their agricultural character. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee discussed comprehensive amendments to home-based business regulations that would create four clear categories of businesses based on their potential impacts. The new system would replace confusing "home occupation" and "cottage industry" classifications with straightforward performance standards. They also addressed agritourism activities, creating two types with specific event limits to balance economic opportunity with neighborhood compatibility. The committee then approved docketing several comprehensive plan amendments, including a fee waiver for the Bellingham School District. Council Member Donovan abstained on this vote, while Council Members Elenbaas and Scanlon supported the recommendation. ### What to Watch Next - Public hearing on home-based business amendments scheduled for April 15th - Staff will reach out to Agricultural Advisory Committee and farm groups for input - Comprehensive plan amendments move to full Council for consideration - Council Member Galloway indicated she may propose additional land use amendments later this year ---