City of Bellingham Planning Commission

The transportation impact fee (TIF) update dominated discussion time, with Chris Comeau from Transpo Group presenting a comprehensive overhaul that shifts the program to support the 2025 Bellingham Plan. The new methodology maintains multimodal person-trip calculations while incorporating recent changes to state law and updated Institute of Transportation Engineers standards. Notably, the update results in slightly lower fees for most development types — single-family homes will see rates drop from $3,857 to $3,239 per unit. Planning Director Blake Lyon provided an extensive briefing on the interim landmark tree ordinance, which has been in effect since May 2024 through multiple six-month extensions. The ordinance protects trees 36 inches or larger in diameter at breast height, requiring permits for removal except in specific circumstances. Lyon acknowledged the ordinance has created significant upfront costs for developers — potentially $10,000-$20,000 in soft costs before determining project feasibility — while successfully preventing preemptive tree removal. The meeting concluded with a brief introduction to accessing the newly adopted Bellingham Plan online, with staff promising a full demonstration at the upcoming City Council presentation.