This proposed ordinance concerns stormwater control for development and redevelopment, maintenance and inspections.  Read the Stormwater Control Ordinance Packet.

What’s the best way to ensure that everyone assumes responsibility for their contribution to the stormwater problem and learns how to be a part of the solution?

In order to accomodate public comment, the City will be mailing letters to property owners within the Urban Growth Area.  In addition, numerous postings have been placed within affected areas notifying residents of upcoming public meetings.  The City has scheduled two such meetings.  The first, to be held at the Cedars RV meeting facility, located at 6335 Portal Way, will take place on Thursday, July 16 at 6pm.  The first meeting will focus on changes to the eastern Urban Growth Area, although all are welcome.  The second meeting is scheduled for 6pm Wednesday, July 29 at the Cornerstone Community Church meeting facility located at 5732 Olson Road, at the intersection of Mountain View and Olson Roads. 

Public comments will enable staff to make a recommendation to the City Planning Commission and City Council based on technical review as well as public comment and the desire of property owners to be retained in the Urban Growth Area.  The City will consider other factors in making its decision, including the following:

• The suitability of individual parcels to be developed to urban densities
• The existence of critical areas, steep slopes, wetlands, or other characteristics which might prevent urban development
• Existing development onsite
• Existing agricultural uses onsite
• Previous owner-initiated efforts to propose or oppose annexation into the City
• Existing infrastructure in the area
• Distance from existing City limits
• The opportunity to establish uniform boundaries in the City and UGA

Ultimately, the discussion will not be whether the UGA should be reduced, but where the reductions should occur.  It is a discussion that the City hopes all property owners can participate in.  Please note that no properties within the existing City limits will be removed from the City.  The reductions will occur only in the unincorporated Urban Growth Area. 

If you have further questions, please email Dennis Rhodes, Community Development Director, or Jori Burnett, Senior Planner, call them at (360)384-4006, or stop by City Hall at 2095 Main Street.  In addition, feel free to share your thoughts in the Ferndale Forum.  Do you live in the UGA?  Do you wish to stay in the UGA?  What areas should be retained?  Why?  Which should be removed?