Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM February 20, 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, Russ Whidbee, and Scott Jones • Absent: Rose Lathrop • Staff Present: Chris Behee, Long Range Division Manager, Elizabeth Erickson, Senior Planner -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. Eight citizens addressed the Commission on a variety of topics: • LED Signs and associated regulations for Bellingham Public Schools – asked for a code change • The proposed removal of neighborhood plans from the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan • Support for the inclusion of the north Bellingham UGA extension • The importance for incentivizing high paying employment options Agenda Items Work Session 1 The Bellingham Plan: Land Use & Housing Overview p. 2 . Elizabeth Erickson provided a presentation on the Land Use and Housing Chapters of the Bellingham Plan and invited discussion and feedback. Staff reviewed the requirements of HB 1110 that was passed in 2023 by Washington State with regard to the accommodation of at least 6 of the 9 middle housing types and briefly discussed how the approach to zoning might change. Staff shared the six (6) proposed goals and some of the associated policies for the Land Use Chapter, as well as the six (6) proposed goals and associated policies for the Housing Chapter. They highlighted how concepts have been shifted or split between the proposed topics. The Commission and staff briefly discussed the following throughout the presentation: • Incentivizing residential development in proximity to commercial development  • The potential restrictions when building on a lot • Request for clarification on what is meant by “limited single-family units” in multi-family zoning designations • STEP Housing and some of the identifiable barriers, as well as the incentives available • Consideration of using landscape requirements to include editable options (i.e. fruit trees, community gardens, etc…) • Which areas are under consideration for the UGA and the UGA Reserve • What flexibility is being envisioned for large-scale housing developments • What would need to be done to successfully track empty investment properties • It was suggested that policies be included to encourage re-purposing larger structures that are currently under-utilized • Would like to see the term "affordable housing" not be used interchangeably when referring to subsidized housing vs. housing that might be offered at a more reasonable price • Specifications on Universal Design Staff shared some of the public comments that were received on the two chapters being discussed tonight. 2.Voting of Officers and Shoreline Committee Members MOTION: Jed Ballew/Jerry Richmond nominated Mike Estes as Chair. He accepted. VOTE: ALL AYES MOTION: Scott Jones/Russ Whidbee nominated Barbara Plasket as Vice-Chair. She accepted. VOTE: ALL AYES Shoreline Committee Members Appointed: Russ Whidbee, Scott Jones, Barbara Plaskett Other Business 1. Staff Updates Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ____Heather Aven_______________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.