Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM March 4, 2021 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Present: Mike Estes (Chair); Ali Taysi; Phyllis McKee, Rose Lathrop, Scott Jones and Victor Crosetti Approval of Minutes 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. Steve James expressed his support for creating regulations that protect the mobile home parks in Bellingham. Diane Foster expressed her support for continuing to allow zoning for the mobile home parks to remain in Bellingham. Kevin Jenkins, President of Puget Neighborhood Association, conveyed their interest in preserving the mobile home parks in Bellingham. WORK SESSION (3/04/2021) Mobile Home Park project Update Greg Aucutt updated the Commissioners on the work being done to accomplish the City Council directive to investigate options for preserving Bellingham’s existing manufactured home parks. He shared two of the preservation options researched to date – acquisition or land use/zoning. He shared some information on each of the mobile home park’s redevelopment potential. There was a brief discussion on the rationale for the existing moratorium. The Commissioners expressed support for multiple options being available to the property owners. (3/04/2021) RM Project Update Lisa Pool provided an update on the RM project. She reviewed the options being considered, and shared some of the results from the analysis done since the last meeting. Kate Newell spoke specifically to the minimum density option and what that could mean for development in different areas of the City. There was discussion on how the proposed density bonus provision compares to what already exists. Staff shared what the different options are and how they can be used during development. Staff clarified that there is no intent to remove any density bonus options that are currently available. There was support shared for the “gross minimum density” option, as well as the opportunity for exceptions to be made when the site simply cannot meet the minimum requirements. Old/New Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: _Heather Aven________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.