### Meeting Overview Bellingham's Committee of the Whole met on February 10, 2025, to discuss proposed modifications to the city's interim Landmark Tree Ordinance and consider extending it for another six months. The committee also addressed council representation in state legislative lobbying efforts. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Interim Ordinance:** A temporary city regulation that can be in effect for up to six months but may be renewed through public hearings. Bellingham's landmark tree ordinance was first adopted as an emergency measure in May 2024. **Type VI Legislative Process:** The formal, comprehensive process required under state law for adopting permanent zoning and development regulations, involving extensive public engagement and environmental review. **Landmark Tree:** Any tree (except black cottonwood) with a single trunk diameter of 36 inches or greater at breast height, or trees designated by the Bellingham Landmark Tree Committee for cultural, historical, or ecological significance. **Critical Root Zone (CRZ):** The area around a tree where essential roots for structural stability and health are located, typically calculated as one foot radius for every inch of tree diameter. **DBH (Diameter at Breast Height):** The standard measurement of tree diameter taken at 4.5 feet above ground, used to determine if a tree qualifies for landmark protection. **Mitigation Plan:** A detailed plan showing how developers will compensate for landmark tree removal, typically requiring replacement trees at a 3:1 ratio. **Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ):** A specialized certification for arborists to evaluate tree hazards using standardized risk categories from Extreme to Low Risk. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hollie Huthman | Council President, Committee Chair | | Blake Lyon | Planning and Community Development Director | | Renee LaCroix | Assistant Director of Natural Resources | | Michael Lilliquist | Council Member, Sixth Ward | | Hannah Stone | Council Member, First Ward | | Lisa Anderson | Council Member, Fifth Ward | | Daniel Hammill | Council Member, Third Ward | | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Council Member, Fourth Ward | | Jace Cotton | Council Member, At-Large | ### Background Context Bellingham adopted an emergency landmark tree ordinance in May 2024 after concerns arose about increased tree removals ahead of development projects. The city has already extended the interim ordinance once following public hearings in July and October 2024. With the current ordinance set to expire in March 2025, staff needed council direction on proposed clarifications and another six-month extension to complete the formal Type VI legislative process for permanent regulations. The revisions aim to balance tree protection with housing development needs, following Mayor Lund's executive order emphasizing housing production. Key changes include clarifying nomination processes (requiring property owner approval), refining tree replacement ratios, adding appeal processes, and adjusting enforcement fines to account for state-required fees. ### What Happened — The Short Version Blake Lyon presented proposed modifications to clarify ambiguous language in the current ordinance, create more balanced development standards, and add enforcement improvements. Council members asked detailed technical questions about root zones, hazard assessments, and tree replacement requirements. Several members expressed concerns about community engagement, noting environmental groups weren't directly consulted on the changes. The committee also voted to authorize council members to testify on state legislation regarding algorithmic rent pricing and formalized their legislative lobbying team structure. ### What to Watch Next • Public hearing on February 24, 2025, for the revised ordinance and six-month extension • Full Type VI legislative process beginning after extension approval • Development of permanent landmark tree regulations through comprehensive public engagement • State legislative action on housing and tree protection bills that could influence local policy ---