### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Hearing Examiner held two land use public hearings on April 16, 2025: the Humboldt Street Short Plat and the Cool Runnings Cluster Short Plat with variances. Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice presided over both applications, which involved subdividing existing residential properties. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Hearing Examiner:** An independent attorney who makes quasi-judicial land use decisions for cities. Unlike city council members, hearing examiners focus solely on whether applications meet specific legal criteria. **Short Plat/Subdivision:** A process to divide one piece of property into multiple lots. Short plats typically create 2-9 lots and go through a streamlined approval process. **Cluster Short Plat:** A type of subdivision that groups homes on smaller lots while preserving larger areas as open space. Allows more flexible lot sizes in exchange for protecting natural features. **One-and-One-Half Rule:** A Bellingham code provision allowing property owners to create one additional lot if the original lot is at least 1.5 times the minimum lot size for the zone. **ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit):** A smaller, secondary housing unit on the same lot as a primary residence. Often called "granny flats" or in-law units. **Variance:** Permission to deviate from normal development standards when strict application would cause practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship. **SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act):** Washington's environmental review process requiring analysis of potential environmental impacts before major decisions. **Critical Areas:** Environmentally sensitive lands like wetlands, steep slopes, or wildlife habitat that receive special protection under city and state laws. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Sharon Rice | Hearing Examiner (contract attorney) | | Christy Bowker | Hearing Clerk | | Simran Dhaliwal | City Planner (new to department) | | Jeremy Dish | Project Land Surveyor, Powertech Surveying | | Glenn Whitfield | Property Owner (Humboldt Street) | | Catherine Whitfield | Property Owner (Humboldt Street) | | Ann Grim | Neighbor/Public Commenter | | Terry Sherman | Neighbor/Public Commenter | | Bill Geyer | Project Representative, Geyer and Associates | | David Campbell | Property Owner, Cool Runnings Construction | | Ed Miller | Wetland Scientist, Miller Environmental Services | | Aubrey Stargill | Certified Arborist and Forester | | Martin Chelstead | Professional Engineer | | Ryan Nelson | Senior City Planner | | Jason Polis | Neighbor/Public Commenter | ### Background Context Both applications represent "infill" development—building on vacant or underused land within existing neighborhoods rather than expanding into new areas. This approach helps address Bellingham's housing shortage while using existing infrastructure efficiently. The Humboldt Street application used the "one-and-one-half rule" to split a 7,500 square foot lot into two lots, with plans for a single-family home plus ADU on the new lot. Neighbors expressed concerns about parking, traffic, and neighborhood character changes. The Cool Runnings project involved a much larger 4.9-acre former industrial site that was recently rezoned residential. The owners proposed a 4-lot cluster development that would preserve 72% of the property (including steep slopes and wetlands) while developing houses on the flat portion along Lynnshire Avenue. This required two variances—one for reduced street improvements and another for simultaneous tree clearing. Both applications reflect ongoing tension between housing needs and neighborhood impacts, as well as evolving city policies around parking requirements and environmental protection. ### What Happened — The Short Version **Humboldt Street Hearing:** The property owners want to split their lot to create space for another house. The city planner recommended approval with standard conditions. The surveyor explained the lot meets size requirements and has adequate utilities. Neighbors opposed the project, citing concerns about parking in the unpaved alley, stormwater runoff problems, and too many rental properties changing neighborhood character. The hearing examiner closed the record and will issue a written decision by May 2nd or 6th depending on any post-hearing comments. **Cool Runnings Hearing:** This was a more complex 4-lot cluster subdivision on a steep, wooded site with wetlands. The development team included multiple experts who testified about their environmental studies and engineering plans. They requested approval for the main subdivision plus two variances—one to reduce required street improvements (approved by staff) and another to clear all development areas at once rather than lot-by-lot (opposed by staff). City staff supported the overall project but opposed simultaneous clearing, arguing it violates tree protection codes. One neighbor expressed concerns about construction impacts and pedestrian safety improvements. ### What to Watch Next • Written decisions on both applications will be issued within 10 days after any post-hearing comment period closes • If approved, the Cool Runnings project would need separate design review and building permits before construction • City Council continues working on interim housing rules that could affect similar future projects ---