Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 7:00 PM June 20, 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. • Present: Mike Estes (Chair), Barbara Plaskett, Jed Ballew, Mike McAuley, Russ Whidbee, and Scott Jones • Absent: Rose Lathrop 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. There was one citizen who addressed the Commission regarding affordable housing in Bellingham. Agenda Items Presentation 1. The Bellingham Plan briefing and discussion. Chris Behee reviewed HB1110 (Legislative House Bill) and commented that Bellingham must allow at least six of the nine types of middle housing to achieve density requirements. He reviewed the middle housing types that are already included in the Infill Toolkit. He also spoke to some of the infill toolkit projects developed in the community. He briefly reviewed the Design Review process and shared that staff is considering what it could look like with relation to HB110 and HB 1293. Chris Behee spoke to some of the feedback received at the community outreach sessions the City held in early 2025. He shared some of what staff heard regarding modulation and articulation, building orientation, architectural and exterior details, and landscaping and outdoor features. COMMISSION QUESTIONS/COMMENTS Some topics of conversation amongst the Commission included: • How density on small lots might be affected by the bus routes  • If the infill toolkit will still be needed when the changes required by HB1110 are made to the Bellingham Municipal Code. • How to make setbacks less cumbersome • Design review is important, but it was suggested that there be room left for creativity, especially given that architecture has changed over the last few decades • Floor Area Ratio and how that can be impactful to development • It was pointed out that some neighborhoods don’t have alleys for access – and there was a question about how single-family garages vs. infill toolkit garages will be managed • There was a comparison about the larger structures vs. the single-family units and how they will present closer to the sidewalk (with reduced setbacks) • The importance of having the ADA conversations with new developments Elizabeth Erickson shared how HB1110 relates to residential densities. She provided some examples of some fictitious examples that could result from the new requirements. She reviewed the existing zoning and how that could change when the new regulations go into effect. COMMISSION QUESTIONS/COMMENTS Some topics of conversation amongst the Commission included: • Lack of space for cars with the proposed increase in density • Proximity to amenities is a very important consideration for where the increase in density should be allowed • Ensuring there are regulations in place that would promote the development of what is needed (affordable housing and missing amenities). Other Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.