Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM August 21, 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, Jed Ballew, Jerry Richmond, Lisa Marx, Rose Lathrop and Russ Whidbee • Absent: Lisa Marx and Rose Lathrop • Staff Present: Chris Behee, Elizabeth Erickson, and Sydney Prusak (Planning Department); Dylan Casper, Mike Wilson and Brent Baldwin (Public Works) Approval of Minutes None to approve 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 addressed the Commission regarding zoning concerns. Agenda Items Presentation 1. The Bellingham Plan: Reference Documents Elizabeth Erickson reviewed the schedule of upcoming meetings for the Bellingham Plan and reminded the Commission that many of the City’s implementation plans (i.e. Bellingham Pedestrian Master Plan) will be adopted by reference rather than be included in the 2026 Comprehensive Plan and will carry the full weight of the plan. She also explained that other documents, which may contain useful and relevant information to what is included in the Plan, will be accessible via links, but not be adopted by reference. Elizabeth Erickson reviewed the Capital Facilities Plan and reminded the Commission that most of the content contained in this plan was shifted from the 2016 Comprehensive Plan (Capital and Facilities Chapter). She shared what information is still being included in the Bellingham Plan and how the Capital Facilities Plan will then be adopted by reference to supplement that information. Sydney Prusak reviewed the Multi-modal Transportation Plan and noted that this plan also contains content that was shifted from the 2016 Comprehensive Plan. She shared what information is still being included in the Bellingham Plan and how the Multi-modal Transportation Plan will then be adopted by reference and supplement that information. Commission Questions/Comments There was a brief discussion about how much of the funding of transportation covered by impact fees. Dylan stated that most of those costs are paid with the transportation fund, but although he did not have an exact amount, he acknowledged the impact fees do supplement as well. There was a conversation about how transportation planning can influence different modes of transportation coming to the community that there may not be a current demand for. There was a discussion about different ways development can improve the levels of service. There was a brief conversation about the possibility of counting bike trips in a similar fashion to how we track car trips. Staff provided an overview of the next steps: • 9/18/2025 – Public Hearing • 9/25/2025 – Work Session (if needed) • City Council will then hold a Public Hearing as well later in the Fall. Other Business 1. Upcoming Meetings • Code Updates will be coming in October Adjournment Minutes prepared by: _Heather Aven______________________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.