City of Bellingham Hearing Examiner

The Bellingham Hearing Examiner conducted two complex land use hearings involving variance requests for challenging development sites. Both cases highlighted the ongoing tension between property rights and environmental protection in Bellingham's constrained topography. The first hearing addressed Scott Wickland's request for a public works variance at 1109 18th Street, seeking permission to extend an existing concrete driveway rather than build a standard residential street on terrain with grades exceeding 23%. The variance would allow access via an existing 10-foot-wide concrete driveway built in 2021 to serve the adjacent 1112 18th Street property. Public Works staff recommended approval, citing the infeasible 23% grade that exceeds the city's 15% maximum standard. The second hearing involved Trent Slusher's proposal to build a three-story home at 119 Ashley Street, requiring both critical area and zoning variances. The 8,000-square-foot lot is entirely within Lincoln Creek's 75-foot buffer zone. Slusher requested reducing the buffer to 23.5 feet and the front yard setback from 20 to 5 feet. Planning staff recommended approval with extensive conditions. Both hearings generated significant public opposition focused on safety concerns and environmental protection. The 18th Street case drew concerns about vehicles meeting nose-to-nose on the narrow, steep driveway with blind curves. The Ashley Street case prompted testimony from environmental advocates and neighbors worried about flooding, landmark tree removal, and cumulative creek impacts. Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice took extensive testimony and admitted multiple post-hearing documents, holding the record open through January 24th for technology-related public comment and applicant responses. Written decisions are expected by February 7-11, 2025, depending on post-hearing submissions.