The county council has banned people from building homes in the watershed on lots smaller than 5 acres since 2004.
Council Member Sam Crawford has proposed an alternative to the ban that would allow homes to be clustered on lots smaller than 5 acres, as long as the overall number of homes does not increase.
The moratorium is an attempt to limit the amount of polluted water that runs off of developed properties and enters the lake.
Crawford says clustering would help reduce runoff by allowing landowners to build less driveways and less landscaping.
The county council will hold public hearings on both the regular moratorium and Crawford's alternative during tonight's meeting at 7 PM in the council chambers at the Whatcom County Courthouse.
