Planning Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Thursday 7:00 PM December 2, 2021 City Council Chambers Video Recorded www.cob.org Call to Order / Roll Call Ali Taysi, Barbara Plaskett, Jed Ballew, Mike Estes, Rose Lathrop, Scott Jones, Victor Crosetti Approval of Minutes Minutes from August 19, November 4 and November 18, 2021 were 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. Presentation Staff Presentation – City’s efforts to address homelessness and housing affordability in Bellingham Tara Sundin and Samya Lutz provided a presentation that provided an overview of the City’s efforts to address homelessness and housing affordability in Bellingham. Staff spoke to the locally-supported programs and how the city invests in different shelters and homeless prevention services, transitional housing opportunities, nonprofit and public housing, affordable private rentals and home ownership. Staff also shared some information on the Whatcom Homeless Service Center and explained some of the services they provide the homeless community. Staff briefly reviewed the County-wide Homeless Strategies and Goals, as well as the new housing/shelter options that have been made available and the new programs / projects being started for the most vulnerable. Staff also spent some time discussing some of the upcoming projects that will also help provide some housing solutions. Staff Presentation – Accommodating Growth – Five years after adoption of the Comprehensive Plan Greg Aucutt and Chris Behee provided a presentation on accommodating growth and shared what the numbers say about five years after the adoption of the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. They spoke to how Bellingham has been accommodating growth and shared that to date, Bellingham has been accommodating all the projected growth. They discussed some of the different ways that Bellingham has implemented the infill goals adopted in the comprehensive plan. They shared some stats on affordable housing availability, as well as reviewed the existing housing mix and shared there is an additional 2, 440 units currently being developed. Staff also shared some of the next steps and some of the work that will be coming forward in 2022. Old/New Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by Planning Commission members and various Planning Staff.