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Whatcom County Council Special Committee of the Whole

WHA-CON-CTW-SPC-2026-02-03 February 03, 2026 Committee of the Whole Whatcom County
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Whatcom County Council held a special Committee of the Whole meeting to address three major items: the 2026 state legislative session priorities, comprehensive plan urban growth area proposals, and individual councilmember project updates. The meeting, chaired by Vice Chair Jon Scanlon due to Chair Galloway participating remotely from Olympia, lasted over three hours and featured substantive policy discussions on flood mitigation, housing development, and regional planning. The most significant action was the Council's unanimous support (7-0) for the county's $15 million state capital budget request for flood mitigation projects targeting Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas communities. This request comes in response to recent devastating floods and represents early action items from the flood plate integrated planning (FLIP) process, focusing on property acquisition, advanced design work, and infrastructure improvements over an 18-month timeline. The Council also engaged in detailed discussions about urban growth area proposals for Birch Bay, Columbia Valley, and rural/resource lands as part of the 2025 comprehensive plan update. These proposals are driven by new state requirements under House Bill 1220 that mandate accommodation of different income levels through varied housing types. The changes would allow duplex, triplex, and fourplex development in previously single-family-only zones to meet moderate-income housing needs. A notable debate emerged around Columbia Valley's commercial development potential, with Council Member Ben Elenbaas expressing frustration about the lack of accessible commercial opportunities for the isolated community. He characterized the current approach as "business as usual" that fails to serve residents who must travel significant distances for basic services like groceries and laundromats. This discussion highlighted ongoing tensions between zoning designations and practical development feasibility. The meeting also saw Council Member E

**State Legislative Flood Mitigation Support (AB2026-037)** - Vote: 7-0 (unanimous approval) - Staff recommendation: Support request - Council action: Aligned with staff recommendation - Amount: $15 million capital budget request to state - Purpose: Flood hazard mitigation including property acquisition, advanced design work for berms, flood walls, emergency access improvements, and drainage projects **Nooksack River Mineral Resource Lands Amendment (AB2026-078)** - Vote: 6-0 (Council Member Galloway temporarily away) - Motion: Request Executive work with planning staff to explore adding Nooksack River shores to Mineral Resource Lands Special District - Purpose: Enable gravel…

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**Flood Mitigation Strategy and State Advocacy** The Council examined the county's comprehensive approach to flood mitigation following recent devastating floods in Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas. Jed Holmes detailed the $15 million state capital budget request covering an 18-month action plan emerging from the FLIP steering committee. The request encompasses property acquisition and easements, advanced design for corridor widening, berm construction around vulnerable cities, flood wall development, and critical infrastructure flood-proofing. Council Member Mark Stremler expressed concern that the focus remains on design rather than execution, noting years of prior planning work. Holmes clarified that while conceptual development has occurred, the county needs advancement to permitting-ready designs. The discussion revealed tension between urgent community needs for immediate flood response and the methodical progression required for major infrastructure projects. The debate highlighted the complexity of balancing multiple project areas with limited state funding. Holmes acknowledged having "close to half a billion dollars worth of projects" but crafted the $15 million request based on realistic expectations of state support. This strategic approach reflects the political reality of capital budget allocation while establishing a foundation for future requests. **Housing Policy and Growth Management** The comprehensive plan discussion centered on implementing new state requirements under House Bill 1220, which mandates accommodation of different income levels through housing type diversity. Matt Aamot explained how the state's "Housing for All Planning Tool" allocates housing needs across income bands, equating housing types to income levels: single-family for higher income, duplex/triplex/fourplex for moderate income, and high-density multifamily for lower income. The policy changes would allow duplex, triplex, and fourplex development in urban residential zones previously restricted to single-famil…
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**County Executive's Office (Jed Holmes, Kayla Schott-Bresler)** Supported the $15 million flood mitigation request as essential for community protection and economic recovery. Holmes emphasized the coordination with mayors and incorporation of their priorities into the state ask. Schott-Bresler provided historical context on legislative advocacy processes and noted the evolution toward greater Council involvement in priority setting. **Planning and Development Services (Matt Aamot, Mark Personius)** Advocated for comprehensive implementation of housing diversity requirements to meet state mandates. Aamot defended technical approaches to land capacity analysis while acknowledging high-level planning limitations. Personius explained ongoing mineral resource lands analysis and regulatory pathways for gravel extraction, noting existing but unused permit processes. **Council Member Positions:** *Jon Scanlon (Vice Chair):* Led meeting discussions and consistently supported broader housing options and flood mitigation efforts. Emphasized workforce housing connections and community coalition development. *…
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**Ben Elenbaas, on Columbia Valley commercial development:** "This plan is business as usual. We're not changing anything to help that community have what all the other communities have. And it's just status quo. And so we're going to have 10 more years of the people in Kindle feeling like they're an afterthought still." **Ben Elenbaas, on development feasibility:** "Are we fooling ourselves by saying we have these areas where we could do this, but then when you put yourself on the ground, oh…
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**Immediate Actions (February 2026):** - February 17: Council Annual Retreat with strategic planning discussions - February 24: Detailed flood mitigation operational plan presentation to Council - Staff will add flood mitigation letter to AB2026-037 agenda bill file - Health Board resolution on foundational public health services funding **State Legislative Session:** - Ferry district bills continue through committee process - WSAC board meeting, legislative reception, and steering committee advocacy - Monitoring of state budget publication for flood mitigation request status - Continued advocacy for foundational public heal…

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**Policy Direction Shifts:** - Council explicitly supported broader housing type diversity in LAMIRDs, rejecting Planning Commission's more restrictive approach limiting changes to three communities - New policy direction established for exploring Nooksack River gravel extraction through mineral resource lands designation - Formal Council endorsement provided for $15 million state flood mitigation request **Process Improvements:** - Enhanced coordination established between Executive and Council on legislative priorities compared to historical practice - Recognition of need for better community communication about flood recovery resources and timelines **Planning…
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# Whatcom County Council Charts Path Forward on Flood Mitigation and Housing Growth The Whatcom County Council's Special Committee of the Whole gathered on February 3rd, 2026, for three hours and four minutes of wide-ranging discussion that would shape the county's approach to disaster recovery, housing development, and long-term planning. Meeting in hybrid format with Council Vice Chair Jon Scanlon presiding, all seven council members were present — including Chair Kaylee Galloway joining remotely from Olympia where she was attending the legislative session. The meeting's gravity was evident from the outset. Just weeks after devastating November floods ravaged communities like Everson, Nooksack, and Sumas, the council faced pressing questions: How do we protect these communities from future disasters? How do we accommodate projected housing growth while preserving rural character? And how do we balance immediate needs with long-term planning requirements? ## Emergency Flood Mitigation Funding Request The session began with Jed Holmes from the County Executive's Office presenting what would become the day's most urgent business — a $15 million request to the state legislature for flood hazard mitigation projects. The ask wasn't just about money; it represented a coordinated strategy emerging from the Flood Integrated Planning (FLIP) process to address vulnerabilities exposed by the recent disasters. "In the wake of the floods, there's an extra urgency around addressing these projects that the County and our partners have been working on," Holmes explained to the council. The funding would support what he called "early action items" — an 18-month plan focused on two critical areas: acquiring key properties and easements, and advancing design work on flood protection projects. The scope was ambitious. Holmes outlined plans for widening river corridors, potentially designing protective berms around Everson and Nooksack, building flood walls, and flood-proofing critical infrastructure. Lower in the river system, the projects would include relocating or replacing tide gates on Jordan Creek, elevating…
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A structured study guide helping readers understand the meeting's content and context. ### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council held a Special Committee of the Whole meeting on February 3, 2026, to discuss three main items: updates on the 2026 State Legislative Session, urban growth area proposals for the comprehensive plan update, and councilmember project priorities. ### Key Terms and Concepts **FLIP (Flood Plate Integrated Planning):** A multi-jurisdictional planning process addressing flood mitigation in the Nooksack River watershed, involving county and partner agencies to develop coordinated flood response strategies. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Designated areas under the Growth Management Act where urban development is encouraged and where cities are expected to expand, with urban-level services like water and sewer systems. **UGA Reserve:** Areas designated for potential future inclusion in Urban Growth Areas when growth demands require expansion, but not immediately available for urban development. **LAMIRD (Limited Area of More Intensive Rural Development):** Special rural designations under the Growth Management Act for historic rural communities that allow slightly higher densities than typical rural areas. **House Bill 1220:** State legislation requiring counties to accommodate housing for different income levels, with duplex/triplex/fourplex housing considered "moderate income" options. **Land Capacity Analysis:** Technical planning study that calculates how much development can be accommodated within existing zoned areas, considering factors like critical areas and infrastructure. **Growth Management Act (GMA):** Washington State law requiring counties to direct growth to urban areas while protecting rural and resource lands. **Mineral Resource Lands (MRL):** Areas designated for long-term commercial mineral extraction, including gravel and sand operations. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jon Scanlon | Council Vice Chair, presiding over meeting | | Jed Holmes | County Executive's Office | | Matt Aamot | Planning and Development Services | | Mark Personius | Planning and Development Services Director | | Kaylee Galloway | Council Chair, attending remotely from Olympia | | Eliza…
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Housing Budget & Finance Land Use & Planning Government Operations HB 1220 Birch Bay Water Sewer District Lummi Nation Nooksack Tribe Planning Commission Planning Development Services Whatcom County Council Whatcom County Executive Wsac Barry Buchanan Ben Elenbaas Elizabeth Boyle Jed Holmes Jessica Rienstra Jon Scanlon Kayla Galloway Kayla Schott Bresler Mark Personius Mark Stremler Matt Aamot Birch Bay Columbia Valley Commercial Development Comprehensive Plan Ecosystem Services Ferry District Flood Mitigation Housing Policy Infrastructure Lamirds Mental Health Mineral Resource Lands Planning Commission Rural Development State Legislation Urban Growth Areas Water Resources Zoning