Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM May 29, 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), Daniel Bloemker, Jerry Richmond, and Russ Whidbee • Absent: Jed Ballew and Rose Lathrop • Staff Present: Chris Behee, Long Range Division Manager (PCDD); Anya Gedrath (PCDD); Sydney Prusak (PCDD); Nicole Oliver (Parks); Laine Potter (Parks); Peter Gill (Parks); Joel Pfundt (Public Works); and Dylan Casper (Public Works) 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. Agenda Items Presentation 1. The Bellingham Plan: Transportation and Parks & Recreation Chapters p. 20 Sydney Prusak provided an overview of the process to date and reviewed the public outreach efforts and the comments received on the Transportation Chapter. Dylan Casper, Public Works Department noted which policies were moved into the 2025 Comprehensive Plan as they are currently written, which ones had been updated, and which ones would be new concepts or are proposed to have major updates. The Commission and staff briefly discussed the following throughout the presentations: • WA-DOT vs City responsibilities • What is the City’s role in providing Regional Transportation connections • Importance of maintaining level of service • TDM Statistics and Barriers • Transportation Impact Fees • Trails being used for connection/transportation – especially Bikes vs. Pedestrians Peter Gill, Parks and Recreation Department provided a brief overview of some issues being faced in Parks and Recreation today, the recommendations received from the Parks Board, and some of the comment received from the public on this chapter. He noted which policies were moved into the 2025  Comprehensive Plan as they are currently written, which ones had been updated, and which ones would be new concepts or are proposed to have major updates. The Commission and staff briefly discussed the following throughout the presentations: • How and when the insurance is used • Ground lighting improvements • How the micro-features of a park are determined • Community Parks vs. Neighborhood Parks • Creation of Pocket Park designation • Policies around retail/other facilities in Parks Other Business 1. Staff Updates Sydney Prusak mentioned that the Community Well-Being chapter is being released to the Engage Bellingham webpage. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: ___Heather Aven_______________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.