Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM February 6, 2025 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, Jed Ballew, Jerry Richmond, Rose Lathrop, and Scott Jones • Absent: Russ Whidbee • Staff Present: Chris Behee, Long Range Division Manager, Elizabeth Erickson, Senior Planner and Anya Gedrath, Planner II -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. Two citizens addressed the Commission on the following topics: • It was suggested that an urban village be created in the northwest part of the city • Would like to see more allowances for development to occur • If the lot size is going to be reduced, the impact fees should be reduced as well • Parking for ADU/D-ADU Agenda Items Presentation 1. The Bellingham Plan: Project Overview Chris Behee introduced the Bellingham Plan team and reminded the members of past discussions that have occurred. He also shared an overview of the Comprehensive Plan document and the state requirements it must address. Chris spoke to the recent changes in state legislation and how those changes will impact the contents of the Bellingham Plan. He also noted the growth allocations for 2023-2045 planning period and shared the preliminary projection for the City of Bellingham is 30,310 people, as well as, how the City's urban growth areas might be utilized as the growth is prepared for. He highlighted the engagement opportunities the City held and reported how many responses or participants each event resulted in. Elizabeth Erickson introduced the four (4) themes and shared which of the chapters are associated with it, as well as, when the members can expect those chapters to come before the Commission for review. She  spoke briefly to the proposed process and schedule for the upcoming months and highlighted how the Mayor's Executive Order informs the plan. She commented briefly on some of the interim ordinances being proposed. Anya Gedrath provided an overview of the documents that will be reviewed and referenced throughout the Commission's consideration of the Bellingham Plan. She shared the rationale for not adopting the 25 neighborhood plans by reference in the updated Bellingham Plan. She shared the City’s Implementations Plans that will be adopted by reference. She spoke to the next steps and how to prepare for the upcoming discussions using the various resources (i.e. Engage Bellingham website, meeting packet, and the City of Bellingham Plan webpage). COMMISSION QUESTION/DISCUSSION There was a brief conversation about how the review process will occur as the chapters get posted for public comment and come before the Commission for consideration. There was a discussion about what the framework for neighborhoods moving forward might look like since there is a recommendation to not include the individual plans as part of the final Comprehensive Plan. Staff pointed out that there were two corrections to page 11 of their packet with regard to the housing units. Chris mentioned that original numbers were county-wide, not Bellingham specific. There was also a request to share what is meant by “group quarters”. Chris Behee shared what that is and mentioned more discussion on this topic will be happening when the applicable chapter comes before the members. Other Business 1. Staff Updates Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ___Heather Aven_______________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.