### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham Committee of the Whole met on December 8, 2025, to receive five presentations covering border relations, housing policy, and civic oversight. The session included updates on declining Canadian travel impacts, the hearing examiner's annual report, adoption of the comprehensive plan, progress on housing initiatives, and immigration policy compliance. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI):** A research center at Western Washington University that studies Canada-US border issues and their impacts on the region. Created 20 years ago to produce policy-relevant research on how proximity to Canada influences Whatcom County. **Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE):** A property tax incentive program that provides developers tax relief on residential projects for a specified period (typically 8 years) to encourage housing construction. Recently extended in Bellingham to support affordable housing development. **Infill Toolkit:** Development tools and zoning flexibility that allow increased density and reduced setbacks in existing neighborhoods to create more housing on underutilized land within city boundaries. **Keep Washington Working Act (KWW):** State legislation designed to protect immigrant rights and limit local government cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, ensuring Washington remains welcoming to all residents regardless of immigration status. **General Merchandise Sales:** A retail category that includes stores like Costco, Walmart, and Ross where Canadians traditionally shop during cross-border visits, representing a significant portion of Canadian spending in Bellingham. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Designated areas outside city limits but within the county where future urban development is planned and where cities may eventually annex land for expansion. **Thickening the Border:** Any factor that increases friction or difficulty in cross-border travel, such as additional security requirements, processing delays, or psychological barriers that discourage border crossings. **Housing Executive Order 2024-02:** Mayor Lund's comprehensive policy directive aimed at removing barriers to housing development through administrative reforms, streamlined processes, and regulatory flexibility. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Dr. Laurie Troutman | Director, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University | | Sharon Rice | Hearing Examiner, City of Bellingham | | Chris Behe | Planning Manager, City of Bellingham | | Director Lyon | Community Development Director, City of Bellingham | | Ben Besley | Representative, Talbot Group | | Sto Talbot | Principal Owner/Developer, Talbot Group | | Sean Steinmac | Excel Pacific, General Contractor | | Rose Lathrop | Executive Director, Kulshan Community Land Trust | | Aiman Bollinger | Member, Keep Washington Working Act Advisory Group | | Ian Garcinette | Member, Keep Washington Working Act Advisory Group | | Deputy City Administrator Janice Keller | Staff Liaison | ### Background Context This meeting occurred during a critical period for Bellingham's growth management and international relations. Canadian travel to the US has plummeted 36% due to political tensions, tariffs, and safety concerns, significantly impacting local businesses that depend on cross-border commerce. Simultaneously, the city is grappling with a severe housing shortage requiring production of approximately 825 units per year over the next 20 years - a target exceeded only six times in the past 25 years. The comprehensive plan represents Bellingham's most significant policy update in years, establishing frameworks for accommodating growth while maintaining community character. Mayor Lund's housing executive order represents an aggressive administrative approach to removing development barriers, while the Keep Washington Working Act advisory group addresses growing concerns about federal immigration enforcement in border communities. These interconnected challenges - economic impacts from reduced Canadian visitation, housing affordability crisis, and immigration policy compliance - reflect Bellingham's unique position as a border community navigating federal policy changes while trying to remain welcoming and economically viable. ### What Happened — The Short Version The council received sobering news about the economic impact of declining Canadian travel, with cross-border visits down 36% and an estimated $117-288 million reduction in Canadian spending. Dr. Troutman explained this stems from political tensions, tariffs, and safety fears that may persist for years. The hearing examiner reported increased case volumes and requested authority changes for public works variances and fee waiver decisions. The comprehensive plan was approved 7-0 after adding a final housing policy supporting community land trusts and cooperative housing models. Mayor Lund presented a one-year progress report on her housing executive order, featuring success stories from developers who benefited from streamlined processes, reduced parking requirements, and tax incentives. The Talbot Group's Manning apartment project (142 units, $54 million) and Kulshan Community Land Trust's Birchwood project (18 affordable homes) served as examples of policy effectiveness. The Keep Washington Working Act advisory group requested a four-month extension to complete their policy review, citing the complexity of analyzing immigration-related procedures and the changing political landscape. ### What to Watch Next • Spring 2025: Final recommendations from Keep Washington Working Act advisory group • Ongoing: Monthly housing production tracking toward 825 annual unit target • 2025: Potential new executive order focused on economic development • Implementation of comprehensive plan policies and middle housing regulations ---