Jail Planning
Whatcom County has submitted an application for a Conditional Use Permit. The City has accepted the application as complete. View the documents related to the CUP and Frequently Asked Questions about the process below:
- Jail Conditional Use Permit Application Documents
- Jail CUP Frequently Asked Questions
- Jail CUP Hearing Comments — Written public comments received prior to the Hearing Examiner meeting
- Jail CUP Hearing Staff Report
- Jail CUP Hearing Exhibits — Note: This is a very large file (60MB). Right-click and choose “Save As” to download a copy.
- Jail CUP Hearing Examiner Decision –Posted April 16, 2015
Whatcom County has identified the need for a new countywide jail facility. In Washington, state law says cities can’t ban these “essential public facilities” from being built but can spell out in what areas and how they might be constructed.
Whatcom County has purchased property on LaBounty Drive in Ferndale as the future site of a new jail.
This site serves as the City’s repository for all things jail related. Information is posted as it is received.
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015: EAGLE Board – 3 p.m., City Hall Main Conference Room, 2095 Main St.
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015: Staff Technical Review Committee Meeting – 10 a.m. Ferndale Police Department EOC Conference Room, 2220 Main St.
Monday, March 23 (and, if necessary, March 24): Hearing Examiner Hearing on Conditional Use Permit – 7 p.m., Ferndale City Council Chambers, 5694 Second Avenue.
More Information:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conditional Use Permit Frequently Asked Questions
- Whatcom County Jail Planning Website
- State Law on Siting of Essential Public Facilities
- Justice Facilities Review – AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice Publication
Documents
- Planning Commission Staff Report on Essential Public Facilities – March 13, 2013 Meeting
- Planning Commission Minutes – March 13, 2013 Meeting
- Draft Jail Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Memorandum of Understanding – Considered by City Council May 6, 2013
- Approved City/Council SEIS MOU
- Whatcom County SEIS Scoping Meeting Notice – May 16, 2013 Meeting
- City of Ferndale Community Letter Regarding Upcoming Jail-Related Meetings – May 8, 2013
- Joint City Council-Planning Commission Meeting Documents (PDF Format) — May 22, 2013
- Joint Meeting PowerPoint Presentation (PDF Format) — May 22, 2013
- City of Ferndale Comments to Whatcom County Regarding Scope of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement — Submitted to Whatcom County May 30, 2013
- Planning Commission Discussion on Essential Public Facilities Code Revisions Staff Report – June 12, 2013 Meeting
- Examples of Previous Fiscal Analysis — Example 1 — Example 2
- First Draft of Proposed Revisions to FMC 18.92, Essential Public Facilities — Released June 25, 2013
- County Jail Consultant Memo Commenting on Ferndale’s Existing Retail Design Standards — Dated June 24, 2013
- Essential Public Facilities Zoning Text Amendment Documents — for July 10, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting
- City/County Jail Fiscal Impact Study Interlocal Agreement — Considered by City Council July 15, 2013
- City/County Approved Jail Fiscal Impact Study Interlocal Agreement
- Essential Public Facilities Zoning Text Amendment — Packet for Planning Commission Public Hearing/Consideration July 30, 2013
- Essential Public Facilities Zoning Text Amendment – for City Council consideration September 3, 2013
- Fiscal Impact Study of Potential Jail Facility in Ferndale
- Conceptual Images of Potential Facility Layout – Illustrated by County Architectural Consultant DLR Group (2013):
- Notice of Decision Related to Amendment of FMC Chapter 18.92 Essential Public Facilities – Date of Notice September 6, 2013
- Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement – Released September 13, 2013
- SEIS Public Comment Meeting Audio — Part I — Part II
- Whatcom County Adult Correction’s & Sheriff’s Headquarters FEIS
- Adult Correction’s Facility & Sheriff’s Headquarters Traffic Impact Analysis
- Jail Conditional Use Permit Application Documents – Submitted January 15, 2015
- Conceptual Images of Potential Facility Layout — Illustrated by County Architectural Consultant DLR Group (2015):
- City of Ferndale Notice of Complete Application for Condition Use Permit
- Notice of Official Hearing Examiner Meeting on Conditional Use Permit — CUP Hearing Site Plan Document
- Hearing Examiner Conditional Use Permit Decision – Posted April 16, 2015
