Key Commitments
Accommodate 124,157 people and 84,788 jobs by 2036; 45% of housing units built since 2006 in urban villages
Goals
(10 total)
- GOAL LU-1: Support sense of place in neighborhoods.
- GOAL LU-2: Foster vibrant urban villages.
- GOAL LU-3: Support a thriving local economy across all employment sectors.
- GOAL LU-4: Maintain and enhance publicly-owned assets and institutional uses.
- GOAL LU-5: Support the Growth Management Act's goal to encourage growth in urban areas.
- GOAL LU-6: Use transparent processes and involve stakeholders in decisions.
- GOAL LU-7: Protect and restore our community's natural resources through proactive environmental stewardship.
- GOAL LU-8: Protect and improve Lake Whatcom and its watershed to ensure a long-term, sustainable supply of water.
- GOAL LU-9: Preserve historic and cultural resources.
- GOAL LU-10: Foster community connectedness to improve the health of residents.
Stronger Policy Language (45 policies)
- Policy LU-45: Provide sufficient land area and densities to meet Bellingham's projected needs for housing, employment and public facilities. Plan to accommodate a total population of 124,157 people and 84,788 jobs by 2036.
- Policy LU-55: Prohibit the extension of utilities prior to annexation unless the exceptions outlined in the BMC are met.
- Policy LU-56: Allow new urban development only where the full range of urban facilities and services exists or can be provided.
- Policy LU-74: Continue working with Whatcom County and other entities to adopt regulations that restrict or prohibit land use practices and activities that cumulatively impact water quality.
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (39 policies)
- Policy LU-9: Promote small-scale commercial uses (e.g. corner stores) within neighborhoods, particularly where these uses historically existed, to encourage walkability...
- Policy LU-10: To achieve a healthy mix of housing that is affordable to a wide range of incomes, implement and seek new, innovative tools, including, but not limited to...
- Policy LU-19: Consider developing integrated transportation-land use plans along WTA's GO Lines connecting urban villages where appropriate.
- Policy LU-60: Encourage the assembly and redevelopment of key underdeveloped parcels through incentives and public/private partnerships.
- Policy LU-82: Explore incentives and regulatory changes to encourage grocery stores, farmers markets, food carts and other mobile vendors to locate in underserved areas.