# Passing the Torch: Historic Preservation Commission Transitions to New Leadership On a crisp autumn afternoon at City Hall, the Bellingham Historic Preservation Commission convened for the first time since February, gathering in the Council Chambers for a meeting marked by gratitude, transition, and renewed purpose. With only five commissioners present—Alexandra "Lexi" Kostic, Leonard Yarberry, Kolby LaBree, Judy Ford, and David Christensen—the small but dedicated group faced the task of moving forward after the departure of their long-serving chair and charting a course for more regular engagement with the community's historic preservation needs. The November 4th meeting carried the weight of both celebration and responsibility. Mary, the outgoing chair who had served for twelve years, attended as a member of the public to witness the formal transition. Her presence served as both a bridge between the commission's past and future, and a testament to the personal investment that volunteers make in preserving Bellingham's historic character. Staff member Emmy Schur opened the meeting by acknowledging Mary's extraordinary service, noting her twelve years of dedication to the commission. The gratitude was palpable in the room as commissioners took turns expressing appreciation for Mary's leadership, knowledge, and commitment to the often-challenging work of historic preservation. ## New Directions and Structural Changes Emmy Schur provided a comprehensive update on where the Historic Preservation Commission stands and where it's heading. The most significant change involves a shift to quarterly meetings—a response to the reality that the commission hasn't met since February due to a lack of applications for special tax valuation, nominations, or adaptive reuse projects. "The reason we haven't met is because we haven't had any applications submitted to the city for anything under special tax valuation, or nominations, or adaptive reuse," Schur explained. "So, it hasn't technically caused us to meet, but with the quarterly meetings, I'm hoping we can just meet, discuss, and hang out, even if we don't have any formal agenda items." The commission is also undergoing a structural reorganization. City Council is expected to approve changes reducing the commission from nine to seven members, addressing persistent recruitment challenges. Additionally, the ordinance is being modified to remove the requirement that commissioners be qualified electors of Bellingham, opening membership to county residents. This change aims to increase tribal representation and broaden the pool of potential commissioners, recognizing that many individuals with relevant expertise live outside city limits. However, these changes have been delayed. While the commission had hoped to see the new ordinance approved by City Council in October, it got pushed back due to the volume of state-mandated code changes that municipalities must implement. ## Election of New Leadership The meeting's most ceremonial moment came with the election of officers. After twelve years of avoiding the chair position, David Christensen joked about his successful evasion, having served on the commission since February 25, 1999—over twenty-five years of service. The nomination process proceeded smoothly, with Lexi Kostic accepting the nomination for chair and David Christensen agreeing to serve as vice-chair. "I would be happy to step up into that role," Kostic said when nominated for chair, demonstrating the collaborative spirit that has characterized the commission's work. The elections proceeded without contest, reflecting the small but committed nature of the group. Both positions were filled unanimously, with good humor about the "awkward script" of nominees voting for themselves. ## Projects on the Horizon Despite recent quiet periods, several historic preservation initiatives are gaining momentum. The commission received good news about the Happy Valley neighborhood grant application—they were awarded $29,500 from the state for a reconnaissance-level survey of the neighborhood, which has never been formally surveyed for historic resources. However, the funding is currently held up at the federal level, creating uncertainty about when the work can begin. "If this was any other year, we would have already gotten it by now, and would have been moving forward, but we're crossing our fingers for that," Schur noted. Several potential local register nominations are also in development. Interest has been expressed in the Boundary Bay buildings, though the complexity of multiple buildings bound by covenant presents challenges. More promising is the Greenhouse building at 1210 North State Street, built in 1922. The owner has exposed the original brick after removing 1970s siding and is interested in nomination for special tax valuation purposes. Perhaps most significantly, discussions are underway regarding the Pickett House—remarkably, the oldest house still on its original foundation in Washington state, built in 1858. Despite being listed on state and national registers, it's not on the local register, an oversight that a group including people from Whidbey Island hopes to correct. "It's owned and run by the Daughters of the Pioneers," Schur explained, "and there's just future planning—what's going to happen?" ## Conference Insights and Policy Connections Both Schur and Kostic attended the Places Conference hosted by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation in Gig Harbor, bringing back valuable insights about parking management, adaptive reuse challenges, and the intersection of housing policy and historic preservation. Schur presented on Bellingham's new interim housing ordinances, which allow up to four units on single-family lots (six if two are affordable) while incentivizing retention of existing buildings. Under these policies, developers who preserve existing structures can add additional units without counting against their allowable density. "The goal is to retain existing houses," Schur explained. "Applicants can carve out the existing and put in more units within it, and then that wouldn't be counted against their extra 4 to 6 on the site if they keep their existing building." The conference reinforced a common theme in historic preservation: adaptive reuse remains challenging but essential. "You hear over and over and over how hard it is," Kostic observed, "and there are a lot of really cool examples that worked." ## Community Connections and Future Initiatives The commission discussed several ways to increase their community engagement. Plans include building tours, training sessions, and presentations from community members about projects of historic interest. Commissioner Christensen, despite his reluctance to take on leadership roles, shared that he'd been recruited to serve as secretary of the Whatcom County Historical Society, noting the organization's good programming but aging membership. The discussion also touched on the cemetery as a historic resource, with commissioners exploring a $50,000 cemetery grant from the state. The challenges of maintaining historic gravestones in an active cemetery present complex legal issues, as the city would theoretically need permission from all living heirs of plot owners. The Whatcom Housing Alliance's adaptive reuse competition provided another connection point, with the telecommunications building on Chestnut and Forest winning the jury review for its potential conversion to housing, while the old cement factory on Marine Drive won the people's choice award. ## Design Review and Regulatory Updates The commission addressed changes in design review processes stemming from state legislation. While much design review has become administrative rather than occurring in public forums, historic preservation projects remain an exception, continuing to require public review processes. Recent state-mandated changes affecting single-family neighborhoods, legacy trees, and accessory dwelling units are all proceeding under interim ordinances that extend into 2026. These changes reflect the ongoing tension between housing production and historic preservation—a balance the commission must navigate as development pressure continues in Bellingham. Christensen noted the irony of how building codes have evolved: "The UBC was this thick, and the IBC is that thick," gesturing to show increasing complexity. Yet he emphasized that creative solutions exist within the existing building code framework for those willing to work with building officials who understand the intent behind regulations. ## Looking Ahead As the meeting concluded precisely at 5:00 PM, the commission had successfully navigated its transition while establishing a framework for more regular engagement with Bellingham's historic preservation needs. The shift to quarterly meetings, combined with the flexibility to convene when projects arise, should provide more consistent oversight and community connection. The challenge ahead involves balancing the commission's regulatory responsibilities with its educational and advocacy roles. With new leadership, pending ordinance changes, and several potential nomination projects in the pipeline, the Historic Preservation Commission appears positioned to take a more proactive role in preserving Bellingham's historic character while adapting to contemporary housing and development pressures. The informal seating arrangement adopted for this meeting—around tables rather than at the elevated commissioners' desk—symbolized the collaborative, accessible approach the commission hopes to maintain. As Commissioner Ford noted about the cemetery preservation challenges, "That's where you earn your pay"—a recognition that meaningful historic preservation requires creative problem-solving and persistent advocacy. With Kostic's leadership and the institutional knowledge provided by long-serving members like Christensen, the commission enters its next phase better positioned to engage with community members, developers, and city officials in the ongoing work of preserving Bellingham's historic fabric while accommodating necessary growth and change.

### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham Historic Preservation Commission met on November 4th, 2025, to conduct annual elections and receive updates on commission activities. The meeting focused on leadership transitions, membership changes, and ongoing historic preservation projects throughout the city. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Historic Preservation Commission (HPC):** A city commission that reviews projects affecting historic properties and manages local historic designations and special tax valuations for historic preservation work. **Special Tax Valuation:** A tax incentive program that allows property owners to receive reduced property taxes when they rehabilitate historic buildings according to preservation standards. **Local Register:** Bellingham's list of locally designated historic properties, which provides protection and may qualify properties for special tax valuation benefits. **Adaptive Reuse:** The practice of converting historic buildings for new uses while preserving their historic character, often making preservation economically viable. **Certified Local Government (CLG):** A federal designation that allows municipalities to participate in the National Historic Preservation Program and receive certain benefits like conference discounts. **Design Review Board:** A separate city board that reviews the design of new development projects, with some overlap in jurisdiction with the Historic Preservation Commission. **Washington Trust for Historic Preservation:** The statewide nonprofit organization that advocates for historic preservation and hosts the annual Places Conference. **Reconnaissance-Level Survey:** A basic historic property survey that identifies and documents potentially historic buildings in a neighborhood or area. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Alexandra (Lexi) Kostic | HPC Commissioner, elected Chair | | David Christensen | HPC Commissioner, elected Vice Chair (25+ years on commission) | | Emmy Schur | City planning staff | | Mary [Last name not given] | Former HPC Chair (served 12 years, recently termed off) | | Judy Ford | HPC Commissioner | | Kolby LaBree | HPC Commissioner | | Leonard Yarberry | HPC Commissioner | | Fiona Starr | City staff providing administrative support | ### Background Context The Historic Preservation Commission has been relatively inactive in recent months due to lack of applications for historic designations or special tax valuations. The commission is undergoing structural changes, including reducing membership from 9 to 7 members and relaxing residency requirements to allow county residents to serve, hoping to increase tribal representation. The city is also implementing new state-mandated housing policies that intersect with historic preservation goals, including allowing up to 6 units on single-family lots while providing incentives to retain existing buildings. The commission operates as a Certified Local Government under federal historic preservation programs, which provides access to grants and other benefits. Recent grant awards include $29,500 for a Happy Valley neighborhood historic survey, though federal funding delays have prevented the project from moving forward. ### What Happened — The Short Version The commission welcomed new leadership as Mary stepped down after 12 years of service, with commissioners expressing gratitude for her contributions. Emmy Schur provided updates on commission restructuring efforts, noting that ordinance changes reducing membership and expanding eligibility are delayed due to other priority code changes. The commission unanimously elected Lexi Kostic as Chair and David Christensen as Vice Chair. Staff reported on several potential local register nominations being discussed, including the Boundary Bay building, the Greenhouse building (1210 North State Street), and the historic Pickett House. The commission also discussed the Happy Valley neighborhood survey grant and recent attendance at the Washington Trust's Places Conference, where Bellingham staff presented on housing and historic preservation policy coordination. Discussions covered adaptive reuse challenges, the cemetery as a potential historic resource, and ongoing monitoring of historic buildings in Fairhaven. The commission committed to quarterly meetings going forward, even without formal applications to review. ### What to Watch Next - Interview process for two new commission members from seven applicants - Potential submission of local register nominations for Boundary Bay, Greenhouse building, and Pickett House - Implementation of the Happy Valley neighborhood historic survey if federal funding is released - David Christensen's reapplication process as his term expires in March 2026 ---

**Q:** Who was elected Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission? **A:** Alexandra (Lexi) Kostic was unanimously elected to serve as Chair. **Q:** How long did former Chair Mary serve on the commission? **A:** Mary served 12 years on the Historic Preservation Commission before recently terming off. **Q:** Who was elected Vice Chair? **A:** David Christensen was elected Vice Chair. He has served on the commission since February 1999. **Q:** How is the commission membership changing? **A:** Membership is being reduced from 9 to 7 members, and residency requirements are being relaxed to allow county residents to serve. **Q:** How much grant funding did the city receive for the Happy Valley neighborhood survey? **A:** The city was awarded $29,500 out of a $42,000 request for a reconnaissance-level historic survey. **Q:** What is the status of the Happy Valley survey grant funding? **A:** The federal funding has been delayed and not yet distributed to municipalities, unlike typical years. **Q:** Which buildings are being considered for local register nomination? **A:** The Boundary Bay building, the Greenhouse building at 1210 North State Street, and the Pickett House. **Q:** What year was the Greenhouse building constructed? **A:** The Greenhouse building was built in 1922 and originally served as a car repair shop. **Q:** What makes the Pickett House historically significant? **A:** It is reportedly the oldest house still on its original foundation in the state, dating to 1858. **Q:** How often will the commission meet going forward? **A:** The commission will meet quarterly, even if there are no formal applications to review. **Q:** What conference did staff recently attend? **A:** Emmy Schur and Lexi Kostic attended the Places Conference in Gig Harbor, hosted by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. **Q:** What was the focus of Bellingham's presentation at the conference? **A:** They presented on housing and historic preservation, including new interim housing ordinances and adaptive reuse projects. **Q:** How many units can now be built on single-family lots under new state requirements? **A:** Up to 4 units generally, or 6 units if 2 are affordable, with incentives to retain existing buildings. **Q:** What is special tax valuation? **A:** A tax incentive program that reduces property taxes for owners who rehabilitate historic buildings to preservation standards. **Q:** When does David Christensen's current term expire? **A:** His term expires in March 2026, and he will need to reapply to continue serving. **Q:** Who manages Bellingham Cemetery? **A:** The cemetery is managed by the city's Parks and Recreation department as a public park. **Q:** What was the People's Choice winner in the Whatcom Housing Alliance competition? **A:** The adaptive reuse of the old cement factory on Marine Drive for a master-planned community. **Q:** What building won the jury review for the housing competition? **A:** The telecommunications building on the corner of Chestnut and Forest for adaptive reuse into housing. **Q:** What organization is David Christensen now involved with? **A:** He recently joined the board of the Whatcom County Historical Society as secretary. **Q:** What time did the meeting adjourn? **A:** The meeting adjourned at exactly 5:00 PM. ---