Planning Academy for Neighborhoods

The Planning Academy for Neighborhoods was created to help representatives of Bellingham's 23 neighborhood organizations better understand the laws, rules and regulations that control land use, and for the staff from the Planning and Community Development Department to better understand neighborhood values. Participants (PDF) have registered from every neighborhood in the city.

Following participation in the Academy, neighborhood representatives will have the knowledge, skills and abilities to develop and propose comprehensive plan, neighborhood plan and development code amendments for consideration by the City.

Each session of the Academy included presentation of technical information and solicitation of community values. The Academy was not a decision-making institution; rather it was a means for expanding knowledge. The five sessions were:

September 19, 2006 The Growth Management Act: Land Use Law in Washington.

• Meeting Agenda (PDF)
• GMA and Urban Densities Handout (PDF)
• GMA Goals Exercise Handout (PDF)
• GMA Goals Exercise Results (PDF)

September 26, 2006 Bellingham's Land Use Law: The Tradition of Neighborhood Planning.

• Meeting Agenda (PDF)

October 3, 2006 The Comprehensive Plan, the Neighborhood Plan, the Development Code.

• Meeting Agenda (PDF)
• Nelson's Market Solutions (PDF)

October 10, 2006 Tools: How to Prepare and Propose Effective Amendments.

• Meeting Agenda (PDF)
• Application (PDF)
• Homework (PDF)

October 17, 2006 Building Support: How to Get to Yes in Your Neighborhood and at City Hall.

• Meeting Agenda (PDF)
• Negotiation Handout (PDF)

DVDs of the sessions are available at the Bellingham Public Library, along with a copy of course materials. For more information, please contact the Planning & Community Development Department.

• About Bellingham
• Employment
• Contact Us
• Policies and Disclaimers
• Copyright © 1996-2009 City of Bellingham.