Planning Commission

Planning Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Thursday 6:00 PM October 16, 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, Lisa Marx and Russ Whidbee • Absent: Jerry Richmond and Rose Lathrop • Staff Present: Blake Lyon, PCDD Director; Kurt Nabbefeld, Development Services Manager; Sydney Prusak, Planner II; and Sara Ullman, 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. One citizen addressed the Commission. Agenda Items Public Hearing 1. Co-living Code Updates p. 2 Sydney Prusak and Sara Ullman introduced the proposed amendments to the Co-Living Code (BMC 16 and 20). They shared that the rationale for these updates stemmed from state requirements (SB5235 and HB1998). They also spoke to the existing conditions and highlighted a couple of the proposed changes. They recommended that the Planning Commission forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council. Public Comment Bryan Gass spoke to the "6-unit" threshold and was hoping there would be information available on where those could be located. He also wondered if co-living spaces would have different rules. Virginia MacDonald was asking for clarification between co-living as a use and co-living as a building structure regulation. Staff shared their thoughts. Planning Commission Discussion/Questions There was a discussion about the six-unit threshold with regard to where co-living would be required to be allowed. Staff clarified that state law is clear that this allowance needs to be available where six or more multi-family units are allowed – which would be Multi-Family, Urban Village and Commercial Zones.  There was a brief conversation about what barriers existed previously with regard to large-scale co-living development, and what has changed through these updates to make it easier. There was also a brief conversation about design-review being required at 12 units, even though there is a requirement for a minimum of 24 units to provide the co-living experience. There was support expressed for this change and the additional options for the housing form. MOTION: Jed Ballew / Dan Bloemker moved to amend the design review section of BMC 20.32.020(B)(1)(b) strike the last part of the sentence so it reads: “Residential development consisting of 3 or more dwelling units on a site, or co-living housing.” VOTE: ALL AYES (Motion passes 5-0) MOTION: Dan Bloemker moved to omit the section related to the residential parking requirements for co- living housing from BMC 20.12.010. No second for motion. MOTION: Jed Ballew / Lisa Marx moved to adopt the findings of fact, conclusions and recommendations contained in the October 16, 2025 as amended and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. VOTE: ALL AYES (Motion passes 5-0) Other Business 1. Staff Updates Blake Lyon announced what is going before City Council over the remainder of the year. Adjournment Minutes prepared by: Heather Aven_____________ Heather Aven, Recording Secretary Minutes edited by both staff and Planning Commission members.