Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM August 1, 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 6:00 PM. • Present: Mike Estes (Chair), Barbara Plaskett, Mike McAuley, Rose Lathrop, Russ Whidbee, and Scott Jones • Absent: Jed Ballew -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 asked a couple questions in hopes the presentation would answer related to the addition of more hybrid buses to the fleet and what is meant by “changes in travel behavior”. Agenda Items Work Session 1. Joint Planning Commission & Transportation Commission Meeting p. 2 Chris Behee shared the rationale for getting the two Commissions together and introduced the WTA representatives. Tim Wilder, WTA Planning Director presented an overview of the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) agency. He explained the Go Line concept, including information on how they work, where they are located and the populations that are being served. He also spoke to WTA’s county-wide coverage service. He spoke to the 2024 operating revenue and expenditure budgets. He highlighted some of the key issues and challenges that WTA is currently facing. He also shared the long-range plan for WTA services including facilities, services areas, coverage service and the different typologies that could be realized. Hayden Richardson, WTA discussed the WTA Rapid Transit Study (RTS). He provided a brief summary of what occurred in Phase I as he spoke to some of the pros and cons of the two corridors that were studied. He shared the common elements of a RTS, as well as the characteristics that support it. He also highlighted the involvement of typical stakeholders, including the Transit authorities and local governments. He shared that one of the goals of Phase II is to shape a locally preferred alternative. WTA Staff posed three questions for discussion: 1. Is high frequency transit service critical to community development including Urban Villages? 2. What is the City’s commitment to actively supporting effective High Frequency transit service? 3. Will there be adequate City, community and WTA resolve to address bus delay and increasing service, including making difficult trade off decisions about right- of-way allocation? COMMISSION DISCUSSION: There was a brief discussion about the goals of WTA and the multiple needs they are trying to address. There was also a brief conversation regarding some of the ways WTA is becoming more efficient to account for areas where they do not have a bus lane and need to share with not only cars, but bikes as well. There was a conversation about park and rides and the possibility of providing them in rural areas that have a high concentration of riders coming into the City. It was mentioned that they do currently exist throughout the county, but they are currently underutilized and discussions are occurring how to use that land more effectively. There was a brief conversation about what land use decisions or legislation has been enacted that has helped WTA be more successful. WTA staff shared some of the key principles they look for, including housing types and mixed uses. They also shared some statistics around ridership and how it has changed with the work from home and education from home opportunities. There was concern expressed about WTA Go Lines being less static and more dynamic and how that hinders the effort of land use planning. WTA spoke to some of the considerations that go into the location of a Go Line. A discussion occurred about safety on buses. There was also a conversation about how the proposed updates to the Bellingham Plan change the planning for WTA. It was suggested that changes to the route be considered. It was also suggested that WTA consider charging new development fees. It was pointed out that knowing where transit will be located is helpful so that the City can be informed as to where higher density should be allowed and where to encourage mixed use development. There was a brief conversation related to the City’s transportation impact fees and how it affects new developments. Other Business Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.