The state Growth Management Hearings Board recently ruled that the latest changes made to the rural element of the county's comprehensive plan were not good enough, and that the county remains out of compliance with the state Growth Management Act.
Councilmember Sam Crawford says the council is considering the possibility of fighting the decision in court.
The growth management hearings board still wants the county to provide a variety of rural densities, which Crawford says would essentially downzone some rural areas.
He says local activists' desire to protect the environment and Lake Whatcom is coming into conflict with landowners' rights to do what they want with their property.
The county is supposed to respond to the hearings board and make the changes by July.
