Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM March 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, Rose Lathrop, Russ Whidbee, and Scott Jones • Absent: Jerry Richmond • 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. Nine citizens addressed the Commission on a variety of topics: • A couple barriers to development related to HB1110 and RCW 64.90 • Importance of creating home ownership opportunities • The effects of housing insecurity • The need for better balanced rental housing options • Staff/Commission consider including inclusionary zoning as an option to provide affordable housing • How the Bellingham Plan can assist in addressing economic, cultural and physical displacement • How the plan was written with regard to notating minor, major and new policies -Agenda Items Presentation 1. The Bellingham Plan: Land Use and Housing p. 2 Elizabeth Erickson reminded the Commission which topics were being carried over from the February meeting for discussion. There was a discussion on the inclusion of an open space corridor between Ferndale and Bellingham; as well as, the new draft policy creating formal collaboration with Ferndale on UGA planning. There was a brief conversation about the proposed updates to the Annexation Plan and the need for financial sustainability when considering annexations.  There was a discussion about the recommendation to include the property in the northern area of Bellingham in the Urban Growth Area (UGA), the recommendation to keep the South Yew Street property in the UGA Reserve and removing certain properties from the UGA altogether. Staff spoke to the number of units they believe could be developed on the northern property over the next 20 years. There was a conversation about the transit corridor planning policy and the associated goals with regard to connecting urban villages to important destinations. It was mentioned that WTA has been very involved in providing feedback on the Bellingham Plan. Staff introduced the complete neighborhood concept and reviewed some of the results from the growth survey that was completed in Summer 2024. Elizabeth shared some of the polices that relate directly to the small-scale commercial areas. There was a discussion about how dispersion of like uses would be achieved. Staff shared the proposed land use map which highlighted the proposed zoning designations. The Commission and staff briefly discussed the following throughout the presentation: • There was a brief discussion about the benefits (or advantages) of becoming an urban village. • Citywide planning – in an effort to shift towards equitable, citywide planning staff has proposed that the citywide planning documents be adopted by reference in the Bellingham Plan. • H-20 policy – it was recommended that changes be made to this policy related to inclusionary zoning to make it more robust. Other Business 1. Staff Updates Chris Behee shared the topics of upcoming meetings. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ___Heather Aven_______________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.