Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 7:00 PM April 11, 2024 City Council Chambers Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org - Call to Order The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:00 PM. Approval of Minutes Public Comment Period During this time, citizens may take up to three (3) minutes to address the members about any topic not on the agenda. Citizens wishing to speak during this time will be recognized by the Chair for comment. One citizen addressed the Commission on the need for affordable housing for all income levels and suggested the city implementing a first right of refusal for a tenant when the property owner is interested in selling the property and shared some information on a program that other jurisdictions are using to combat homelessness. One citizen shared a personal story on being homeless in Bellingham and some of the most recent challenges he has encountered trying to secure housing. Nine citizens provided comments specifically related to the item on the work session agenda. Agenda Items Work Session 1. Silver Beach Rezone p. 2 Steve Sundin shared the new project webpage and addressed the top three themes that were derived from the public hearing. Staff also addressed some questions from the written public comment. Motion: Rose Lathrop / Jed Ballew moved to adopt the findings of fact, conclusions and recommendations contained in the March 21, 2024 staff report and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. There was question when the moratorium would end.  AMENDMENT: Barbara Plaskett / Russ Whidbee moved to request City Council extend the moratorium to find another avenue for clean-up and run-off aside from development. Staff advised that the work has been done that City Council would ask them to do. VOTE: 3-3 (Motion fails, Lathrop, Estes, Ballew opposed) VOTE: 3-3 (Motion fails, Whidbee, Plaskett, Jones opposed) MOTION: Barbara Plaskett / Russ Whidbee moved to recommend that City Council adopt the stormwater regulations in multi-family as written in the March 21, 2024 staff report. VOTE: ALL AYES (6-0) MOTION Scott Jones / Barbara Plaskett moved to amend staff’s recommendation from medium density to low density. Expressed concern about the economics not working. VOTE: 3-3 motion fails. Other Business 1. Director's Report Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.