Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM March 15, 2018 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Ali Taysi (Chair), Mike Estes (Vice Chair), Garrett O'Brien (Commissioner), Phyllis McKee (Commissioner), Steve Crooks (Commissioner), Iris Maute-Gibson (Commissioner), Lisa Anderson (Commissioner) Approval of Minutes The minutes for January 25, 2018 and February 15, 2018 were submitted for consideration and approved by general consensus. Public Comment Period Opportunity for citizens to speak informally to the Planning Commissioners on any subject not listed on the agenda. Speakers are allowed a MAXIMUM of three (3) minutes to address the Commission. Speakers will not be required to disclose their address. No testimony given. Presentation Live demo of Bellingham Housing Statistics online story map located at https://www.cob.org/housingstats. Chris Behee and Kate Newell presented the Bellingham Housing Statistics storymap and explained what information can be derived from this resource. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of a draft ordinance amending the Bellingham Municipal Code regarding the regulation of Commercial Development. Elise Keim reviewed the proposed changes and briefly discussed the new language added to the ordinance since the work session in November, 2017. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment provided. COMMISSIONER DISCUSSION / QUESTIONS There was a couple clarifying questions on the permitted / not permitted use table. There was a suggestion to translate the category names into other languages to ensure the intent of what is allowed remains and it still makes sense. MOTION: Garrett O'Brien / Phyllis McKee moved to accept the findings of fact, conclusions and recommendations and forward a recommendation of approval for the draft ordinance to the City Council. VOTE: CARRIED 7-0. Old/New Business The Shoreline Committee will consist of Steve Crooks, Ali Taysi and Mike Estes. Steve Crooks will remain Chair of the committee. A short recap of the March 15, 2018 Shoreline meeting was given. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.