Key Commitments
Plan for 113,055 population by 2022; 27,000 new jobs by 2022; 14,800 new housing units 2002-2022; UGA boundary review every 7 years; duplexes not to exceed 15% of units in new SF subdivisions; low density max 5 units/acre; medium density 6-12 units/acre; high density 13+ units/acre
Goals
(14 total)
- FLU-1: Accommodate planned growth that promotes efficient land use, reduces sprawl, and safeguards the environment
- FLU-2: Promote an economically healthy city center with diverse uses
- FLU-3: Encourage affordable, stable, diverse residential neighborhoods
- FLU-4: Protect single family neighborhood character while locating higher intensity uses in urban villages
- FLU-5: Protect and enhance natural environment including critical areas
- FLU-6: Protect natural environment by directing development away from sensitive areas
- FLU-7: Emphasize Bellingham's role as environmental steward through sustainable land use
- FLU-8: Promote successful commercial and industrial areas and a strong diverse economy
- FLU-9: Maintain and extend parks, trails, open space, and recreational facilities
- FLU-10: Plan to accommodate a 2022 population of 113,055 and 27,000 new jobs
- FLU-11: Encourage active participation by all Bellingham residents in planning
- FLU-12: Establish culture of dialogue and partnership among City officials and stakeholders
- FLU-13: Establish collaborative neighborhood planning process
- FLU-14: Accommodate growth primarily in compact urban centers while preserving single family neighborhoods
Stronger Policy Language (51 policies)
- LU-19: Land area sufficient to accommodate the 20-year population projections shall be available in Bellingham and the urban growth areas, as required by RCW 36.70.110.
- LU-26: In developed single family areas of Bellingham, residential zoning shall be applied in a manner that is consistent with the neighborhood's existing character, building style and height, density, and development pattern.
- LU-61: The Bellingham Planning Commission shall recommend and the City Council shall adopt a list of essential public facilities which meet the definition described in Policy 62.
- LU-117: The City's design, development, infrastructure improvement standards and environmental regulations shall be used in Bellingham's UGA so that land uses are compatible with city standards at the time of annexation.
- LU-131: Prioritize protection over treatment in managing the Lake Whatcom Reservoir and its watershed. Management actions shall reflect a long term view of replacement or treatment costs.
- LU-138: Implement "low impact development" techniques for all new residential development and infrastructure projects in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir Watershed.
- LU-141: Update and administer regulations that protect environmentally sensitive (or "critical") areas.
- LU-46 (commercial): Auto oriented strip or linear commercial development shall be avoided.
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (67 policies)
- FLU-3: Affordable, attractive, stable and diverse residential neighborhoods should be encouraged while providing for a variety of housing opportunities.
- LU-30: Encourage and assist rehabilitation efforts in deteriorating residential areas to promote a safe and successful living environment.
- LU-44: Explore incentives, strategies, and requirements (such as "inclusionary zoning") to achieve a healthy mix of housing sizes, types, and prices.
- LU-48: Mixed use developments should be encouraged in all commercial zones.
- LU-60: Explore regulatory flexibility within the Marine Industrial district to allow occupancy by non water dependent uses when dictated by economic or other circumstances.
- LU-72: Encourage retention, location and expansion of professional, financial, and commercial office land uses in Bellingham's city center.
- LU-104: Encourage the use of long-lived, low maintenance building materials and high efficiency energy systems to reduce building life cycle costs.
- LU-139: Encourage existing residentially developed areas in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir Watershed to implement "low impact development" techniques where possible.