### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Planning Commission met on February 20, 2025, to conduct their first in-depth review of the draft Land Use and Housing chapters of the Bellingham Plan (the city's comprehensive plan update). Staff presented an overview of major policy changes, particularly those required by recent state housing legislation, with follow-up discussions scheduled for March. ### Key Terms and Concepts **House Bill 1110:** State legislation passed in 2023 requiring cities the size of Bellingham to allow at least 6 of 9 specified middle housing types on every residential lot. **Middle Housing/Infill Toolkit:** Housing types between single-family homes and apartment buildings, including duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, cottages, and small multiplexes. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Areas outside city limits but within the boundary where urban-level development is planned and where the city may expand through annexation. **Service-Enriched Housing (STEP):** Housing with supportive services, including Shelters, Transitional housing, Emergency housing, and Permanent supportive housing. **Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing:** Market-rate housing that is affordable due to age, location, or style, without income restrictions or subsidies. **Transit-Oriented Development (TOD):** Higher-density development concentrated near frequent transit routes to support ridership and reduce car dependence. **Complete Neighborhoods:** Areas with mixed housing types, essential services, gathering spaces, and walkable access to daily needs. **Universal Design:** Accessibility features that benefit people with disabilities without requiring full ADA compliance, such as single-floor living and wider doorways. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Mike Estes | Planning Commission Chair | | Barbara Plaskett | Planning Commission Vice Chair (elected this meeting) | | Elizabeth Erickson | Senior Planner, staff presenter | | Chris Behee | Long Range Planning Manager | | Michael Chrostowski | South Hill NAC representative, public commenter | | Jeremy Beck | Mortgage industry professional, public commenter | ### Background Context This meeting represents a crucial step in updating Bellingham's comprehensive plan to address the region's housing crisis and comply with new state mandates. The city faces extremely low vacancy rates, high housing costs, and an aging first-time homebuyer population (now 38 years old on average). State legislation, particularly House Bill 1110, requires significant changes to allow more housing variety in previously single-family-only zones. The updates also respond to community engagement showing strong interest in small-scale commercial uses in neighborhoods and better transit-oriented development. These changes must balance growth with environmental protection, especially in the Lake Whatcom watershed area. ### What Happened — The Short Version Staff presented proposed updates consolidating residential zones into Low, Medium, and High categories while requiring minimum densities and allowing middle housing types citywide (except the watershed). Key changes include permitting small commercial uses in all residential areas, stronger transit corridor planning, and new policies addressing homelessness and affordable housing distribution. The commission discussed terminology clarity around "affordable housing," incentives for development, and the timeline for potential urban growth area expansion. Members were elected for 2025: Mike Estes continues as Chair, Barbara Plaskett becomes Vice Chair, with Russ Whidbee, Scott Jones, and Barbara Plaskett appointed to the Shoreline Committee. ### What to Watch Next - March 6: Community Design chapter discussion - March 20: Detailed follow-up on Land Use and Housing chapters - Summer 2025: Public hearing on full comprehensive plan before Planning Commission recommendation to City Council ---