By Tim Stewart, Director,
Bellingham Planning & Community Development
Bellingham has a robust history of planning by neighborhood. When I started as Planning & Community Development Director in May of 2006, I heard loud and clear that many neighborhood plans had not been updated since they were written back in 1980.
As our community grappled with the enormous task of updating our Comprehensive Plan, Bellingham's 20-year strategy for managing growth, many citizens were very concerned with the planning process, especially the idea of "neighborhood infill." New development in Fairhaven and downtown, and certain large-scale development proposals, fed the community's concern about how the city was managing growth to ensure the protection of existing neighborhoods.
In order to help citizens understand the complex structure of our land use regulations, I organized a citizen training called the Planning Academy for Neighborhoods. Two delegates from each neighborhood attended, and staff shared information while the citizens shared their values. This effort was very well-received and I am still hearing from residents about how much they learned. We hope to do a second academy in 2008.
With the help of additional funding dedicated by former Mayor Mark Asmundson, I followed Planning Academy with planning grants of up to $2,500 for each recognized neighborhood association that wished to create a proposal to update its existing neighborhood plan. Our department worked with the Neighborhood Services Coordinator to provide professional planning support, survey and mailing tools, and technical workshops.
The City's intention was for neighborhoods to target their top priority issues. Some took on full-scale updates, but most focused on specific issues. Six neighborhoods submitted proposals for review in 2007, and about 15 are working on proposals for submittal by the December 1, 2007 deadline.
Once neighborhoods submit a proposal, I promised to docket it for review if:
Once docketed for review, the proposal goes through a formal public process that includes staff review, a neighborhood meeting, Planning Commission public hearing and recommendation, and ultimately, a City Council public hearing and decision. All draft documents made available to us have been posted under the respective neighborhood section of the city's website.
In addition to efforts to update neighborhood plans, other planning projects are currently underway. Several planners are working hard to bring forward the first master plan for an urban village that has been developed through extensive public involvement efforts. The Old Town area is an ideal location for an urban village, because it is so close to the downtown, has existing roads in infrastructure, has major property ownership, and is currently underutilized.
This master planning effort took many years and countless hours of staff time. It has been linked with the Lettered Streets Neighborhood's downzone proposal. By connecting the upzone of Old Town with a downzone in adjacent areas, the city is able to create opportunities for infill and protect neighborhood character.
Identifying other locations that may be appropriate for infill is just one potential outcome of the neighborhood planning effort. Some neighborhoods are working on traffic circulation and view protection. Others are focusing on simple housekeeping, such as the Guide Meridian neighborhood's recent update to replace a reference to a nursery where Bellis Fair Mall is now located.
Strengthening neighborhood associations is a wonderful way to build community. Neighborhood leaders, along with Planning Commissioners and City Council members, play an essential role in local government. Engaged neighborhoods are much more effective at getting capital projects in their neighborhoods such as pedestrian and street improvements, parks and trails.
Citizens working together collaboratively on their neighborhood plan generates debate on real issues that matter to the residents of Bellingham. Shared values can be identified that promote cooperation and voluntary actions towards common goals. I encourage everyone to get involved and see what your neighborhood may be working on.
Date Posted: Oct 26, 2007
