Bellingham Municipal Code, City of Bellingham, WA

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20.00.11 - Meridian Neighborhood Table Of Zoning Regulations »»

City of Bellingham Municipal Code

Title 20 LAND USE DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 00 ZONING TABLES

20.00.110 - MERIDIAN NEIGHBORHOOD TABLE OF ZONING REGULATIONS

Area
Zoning
Use Qualifier
Density
Special Conditions
Prerequisite Considerations
Special Regulations

1
Commercial Planned – See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines, Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses. None Access; regulated stream; stormwater management; design guidelines* None * See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines, attached.

1A
Commercial Planned – Limited light industrial uses allowed**

See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses. None Access; interface between commercial and industrial uses; stormwater management; design guidelines* None *See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines, attached.

*The following uses compromise the category of limited light industrial uses:
Manufacturing of:
- Apparel and other products made from fabrics and similar material
- Furniture and fixtures
- Printing, publishing and allied industries
- Electrical and electronic machinery, equipment and supplies
- Measuring, analyzing and controlling instruments; photographic, medical and optical good; watches and clocks;
- Miscellaneous manufacturing industries which do not constitute a fire, explosion or safety hazard and are compatible with adjacent commercial development as determined by the Director of Planning and Community Development.

2	Commercial	Planned – Limited light industrial uses allowed** See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	N/A	Access; buffer residential areas; stormwater management; design guidelines*	None	* See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines, attached. **The following uses compromise the category of limited light industrial uses: Manufacturing of: - Apparel and other products made from fabrics and similar material - Furniture and fixtures - Printing, publishing and allied industries - Electrical and electronic machinery, equipment and supplies - Measuring, analyzing and controlling instruments; photographic, medical and optical good; watches and clocks; - Miscellaneous manufacturing industries which do not constitute a fire, explosion or safety hazard and are compatible with adjacent commercial development as determined by the Director of Planning and Community Development.
3	Residential Multi	Planned	2,500 sq.ft. per unit	Clearing; flood; wetland; protection of Spring Creek corridor; buffer; neighborhood parks contribution; stormwater management	Kellogg and Prince Ave, road improvements; dedication of 30' of right-of-way for Cory St. between Prince and Kellogg; improvement of Cory St. to ½ standard with curbs, gutters and sidewalks on west side; adequate sanitary sewer capacity	None

3A	Residential Multi	Planned	2,500 sq.ft. per unit	Clearing; flood; drainage; wetlands; buffer; protection of Spring Creek corridor; stormwater management; transportation; access	Development between the Deemer/E. Bakerview and Cory/Prince intersections shall dedicate 60’ of right-of-way and build Deemer Rd. to arterial standards between E. Bakerview and Cory St. Development along the east side of Cory will require dedication of 30’ of right-of-way and improvement of Cory to ½ standard as an arterial between Prince and Kellogg. Improvement to E. Kellogg and Prince shall also be made as development occurs; Internal access roads shall be provided to property west and east of Spring Creek	None
4	Commercial	Planned, parking facilities for adjacent uses may be allowed. See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	N/A	Access design; regulated stream and stormwater management; design guidelines*	Sanitary sewer improvement; Cordata Parkway widening for left turn storage; 10’ right-of way dedication for Cordata Parkway	*See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines
5	Commercial	Planned, See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	N/A	Access; flood; protection of Spring Creek corridor from residential areas stormwater management; design guidelines*	None	*See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines

6	Residential Multi	Planned	3,600 sq.ft. per unit. Density bonuses to RM Planned, 2400 sq.ft. may be achieved if the project includes at least three of the elements listed under special regulations*	Access; spacing of curb cuts along Deemer Rd and East Bakerview Rd; internal circulation; drainage; wetlands; buffers	10' right-of-way dedication on Bakerview Rd. for future road improvements; driveways managed to max. spacing on Bakerview Rd. – goal is 600' separation; Extend E. Bellis Fair Parkway to Deemer Rd.; water improvement necessary for fire flow; preservation of existing natural drainage ways and wetlands; mitigation of stormwater impacts; contribution of land or fees for neighborhood park and trail system.	*Project must include at least 3 of the following to earn density bonus: 1. More than 2 building types. 2. Provide a covered parking to unit ratio of at least 1:2 but not more than 1:1. Garages and carports must be integrated with the building design using similar materials, colors and design elements. 3. Provide a minimum of 35% open space. 4. Provide a tot lot or play yard with playground equipment. 5. Provide an outdoor sport court (half a regulation basketball court or a regulation tennis court. 6. Provide other recreational facilities determined to be equivalent to those listed.
7	Residential Single	Planned	10,000 sq.ft. min. detached lot size or 4 units per acre. Density bonuses, achieved through use of per- formance criteria for cluster develop- ment found in the Bellingham Subdivision Ord. can be used to increase the number of units to 7 units per acre, or 6,200 sq.ft. per unit. Transfer of develop- ment rights can also be used to further increase the number of units from 7 to 10/acre, or 4,300 sq.ft./unit, To use the TDR density bonus, a property owner can purchase develop- ment rights from a Lake Whatcom Watershed land owner or use the "fee-in-lieu-of" option. Under the fee-in-lieu- of option, a property owner/ developer can purchase additional density by paying a fee to the City's Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program (LWWPAP). The fee for a density bonus is calculated on a per dwelling unit basis according to a fee schedule established by the City Council. One unit of additional density will be allowed for each unit purchased through use of this option. An applicant's submittal for land use review shall include a letter from the Bellingham Finance Department document- ing the amount to be con- tributed to the LWWPAP.	Access; spacing of curb cuts along Deemer, Telegraph and E. Bakerview Rds; drainage; wetlands; buffers	10' right-of-way dedication on Bakerview Rd. for future road improvements; 600' spacing of driveways on Bakerview; no protest LID agreement for Bakerview Rd; water improvement necessary for development greater than 4 units/acre and for fire flow; preservation of existing natural drainage ways and wetlands; mitigation of stormwater impacts; contribution of land or fees for neighborhood park and trail system.	None

8	Commercial	Planned – Regional Retail Center (subject to the Concomitant Agreement with Res. 34-86 filed under AF 1518797 and 1555668). , See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines, Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	No max. density	Design guidelines*; internal circulation; stormwater management; fire flow; landscaping; access	None	*See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines
9	Commercial	Planned, See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines, Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	N/A	Access; buffer; design guidelines*	None	*See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines
10	Commercial	Planned, mixed, residential/ Commercial buildings are allowed. All uses allowed and subject to the conditions specified in the Whatcom County General Commercial zoning as of August 1996 are allowed. Uses identified in the city's Planned Commercial zone are allowed. (Hotels, motels with convention facilities, permanent facilities for live and performing arts, and most types of government offices are prohibited as specified in more detail in the attached Meridian Commercial District* Development Guidelines.	None for commercial; 3,600 sq.ft. increasing to 2,400 sq.ft./unit for residential develop- ment subject to meeting design criteria.	Internal circulation; curb cuts on Telegraph and Deemer; preservation of mature trees and vegetation whenever possible; vegetative buffer between commercial and residential development	Improvement of Telegraph and Deemer adjacent to property; driveway access limited and shall be a min. of 300' from intersection of Deemer and Telegraph; preservation of existing natural drainage ways and wetlands; mitigation of stormwater impacts; improvement of water facilities along Telegraph to meet min. fire flow requirements and system looping.	*See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines

11	Residential Multi	Planned	3,600 sq.ft. per unit. Density bonuses to RM Planned, 2400 sq.ft. may be achieved if the project includes at least three of the elements listed under Special Regulations*	Access; spacing of curb cuts along Deemer Rd and Telegraph Rd; drainage; wetlands; buffers	Improvement of Telegraph adjacent to property; driveways managed to max. spacing on Telegraph Rd. – goal is 600' separation; water improvements necessary for fire flow; preservation of existing natural drainage ways and wetlands; mitigation of stormwater impacts; contribution of land or fees for neighborhood park and trail system.	*Project must include at least 3 of the following: 1. More than 2 building types 2. Provide a covered parking to unit ratio of at least 1:2 but not more than 1:1. Garages and carports must be integrated with the building design using similar materials, colors and design elements. 3. Provide a min. of 35% open space. 4. Provide a tot lot or play yard with playground equipment. 5. Provide an outdoor sport court (half a regulation basketball court or a regulation tennis court. 6. Provide other recreational facilities determined to be equivalent to those listed.
12	Commercial	Planned See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	N/A	Access buffer; sings; water distribution design; stormwater management; flood; design guidelines*	None	*See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines

12A	Commercial	Planned, Mixed – residential units and mixed-use buildings are encouraged. All uses allowed in the Whatcom County General Commercial District as of August 1996 are allowed. Uses in the city's Planned Commercial zone are allowed. See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	None for Commercial; 2,400 sq.ft. per unit for residential development.	Internal circulation; curb cuts approved by the Public Works Director; access directly across from Deemer Rd. requires right-of-way dedication and road improvement, otherwise locate access at eastern edge of Area 12A; preservation of mature trees and vegetation whenever possible; landscaping buffer between commercial and residential.	Improvement of Telegraph adjacent to property; pro rata share of improvements to Deemer/ Telegraph intersection; preservation of existing natural drainage ways and wetlands; mitigation of stormwater impacts; improvement of water facilities along Telegraph to meet minimum fire flow requirements and system looping.	See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.
12B	Commercial	Planned, Mixed – residential units are encouraged. See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	None for commercial; 2,400 sq.ft. per unit for residential	Access; drainage; wetlands; buffers	Access must be from McLeod Rd; water improvements necessary for fire flow; preservation of existing natural drainage ways and wetlands; mitigation of stormwater impacts	See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.

MERIDIAN COMMERCIAL
DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES

The design guidelines listed in the Meridian Neighborhood zoning section of the Land Use and Development Code are to be used in the preparation of planned development contracts for projects in the Meridian Neighborhood and as the basis for development of future, more specific design standards. They are intended to supplement the regulations contained in the Land Use Development Ordinance by providing additional design guidance, but are not regulatory in the same manner as the standards contained in that ordinance. The Planning Director may allow alternatives, which provide an equal or better design solution and meet the intent of this section. Applications for planned developments shall include adequate information in their submittal to specifically depict how the guidelines have been addressed.

When these guidelines are applied to planned development contract amendments, their application should be roughly proportional to the degree of alteration proposed and bear a relationship to impacts from the proposed development.

IDENTITY

The Meridian Commercial District is represented by the attached map.

Land Use

• The primary focus of the Meridian Commercial District is that of a regional retail center. Major cultural, convention, and civic functions are encouraged to locate in the Central Business District.

• The following uses are prohibited in the Meridian Commercial District: Hotels; permanent facilities for live or performing arts; and government offices except Armed Forces recruiting offices, branch post offices, and branch libraries or public safety facilities (such as fire stations). Motels are permitted provided any motel shall not include a total combined meeting room area of over 5,000 square feet. All temporary lodging facilities shall provide the number of parking spaces specified for "motels."

CONNECTIVITY

• Developments shall be connected by public sidewalks. The sidewalk design shall match the City design standard recommended for the particular street system or design guidelines for the Meridian Commercial District. The Meridian Street sidewalk design standard provides that a walkway separated from the curb by a cobble and tree well strip be used until such time as an alternative design standard may be adopted.

• Site design shall include a pedestrian access element that provides pedestrian routes from streets and transit stops to building entrances and between buildings. Bus stops should be considered at locations recommended by Whatcom Transportation Authority.

§ Large parking areas may be required to provide additional pedestrian walkways from parking areas to building entrances. Walkways shall be separated from parking stalls and driving lanes (except at crossings, where painted designations may be used.) They shall be designed to provide a four foot wide clear walkway, free from encroachment by vehicle bumpers, cart racks and other obstructions. Trails along open space and creek systems as recommended in the Open Space section shall be included in the project design and connected with the other pedestrian routes in the site. Pedestrian connections shall not cross truck loading areas. Walkways and landscaping shall be used to provide separation between parking areas and building entrances. Connections between private sidewalk systems in adjacent developments shall be provided if they are determined to be both feasible and necessary for a good pedestrian circulation plan.

• Development shall be clustered to encourage joint use of driveways, parking and signs.

• All subdivision, short plats, and lot line adjustments shall be reviewed to ensure that they are consistent with driveway access point spacing policies and regulations.

• The spacing and number of driveways shall be limited as specified in the Circulation section to the extent possible given ownership and topographical considerations.

• Direct vehicular access shall be provided between developments whenever feasible to allow traffic to move between businesses without using arterial streets.

DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
• District boundaries should maintain a distinction between the core commercial district and adjacent residential and commercial areas. Site designs shall provide appropriate buffers in transition areas, particularly at boundaries between commercial and residential zones.

Buffering Adjacent Residential Zones

• Outdoor storage shall not be permitted unless it can be permanently screened from view by adjacent residential properties. The height of material displayed or stored shall be limited to assure adequate screening.

• Loading areas shall be screened from public view. Methods to attenuate noise from loading activity shall be employed as needed to protect residential zones.

• Screening between the development and residential zones shall incorporate trees, primarily evergreens, that will provide total year round screening.

• Use of outdoor speakers shall be prohibited near residential zones.

• Exterior lighting shall have a cut-off angle that eliminates spillover of light onto adjacent residential properties. Light sources shall be shielded as necessary to minimize glare impacts on residential zones.

• Views of grade level and rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened from adjacent residential property by use of parapets, fences, walls and/or landscaping as appropriate.

NATURAL SYSTEMS

• Natural topographical features and amenities including but not limited to stream and open space corridors shall be integrated into site designs as a significant design element.

• Open space and natural vegetation shall be retained along streams in a manner consistent with City codes and the local topography.

• Incorporate significant existing vegetation within required buffers or landscaping designs whenever possible.

DESIGN

• As a future component of the district's development regulations, design guidelines should be developed for site layout, buildings, signs, and landscaping. The guidelines should also address changeable design elements within the street rights-of-way such as street furniture and landscaping. The business community should be encouraged to work with the City and design professionals to identify standards appropriate for the Meridian Commercial District. These recommended standards should then be incorporated into adopted City plans and/or development codes as design guidelines for the Meridian Commercial District.

Site Components:

• Commercial developments of over 20,000 square feet of gross floor area shall provide consolidated area for pedestrian plazas, parks or seating areas at the rate of one percent of the gross floor area. This area may be adjacent to a building entrance, bus stop or open space/trail area provided it is abutting a pedestrian walkway, is lighted and is visible from a main entrance of the building.

§ The area shall contain seating, trash container(s) and landscaping. Minimum width shall be ten feet. The facility shall be available to customers and employees without a fee. Areas accessible to vehicles and areas immediately in front of entrance doors will not be counted in the calculation of this area. Indoor pedestrian plazas that are designed to provide an equivalent function and include windows to the outdoors, such as a mall courtyard, may be used to satisfy this provision.

• Landscaped yards of at least 15 to 25 feet shall be maintained from arterial streets and yards of at least 5 to 10 feet shall be provided on other streets measured from the property line. Buildings shall be set back at least 25 feet from Meridian Street. Significant grade changes, street design requirements or other features may necessitate wider yards.

• Developers are encouraged to incorporate crime prevention through the use of environmental design (CPTED).CPTED principles of natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance can be used to minimize the potential for crime in new developments. Well designed buildings, parking lots, garages, sidewalks, and open courtyards and appropriate lighting can be encouraged in new developments.
• Service areas shall be screened from streets and pedestrian walkways. Adequate space shall be reserved for garbage and recycling functions where appropriate.
• If storm water basins are used for storm water treatment or detention, the location shall be coordinated with other elements of the site and integrated with site landscaping.

Grading

• Site development shall incorporate the existing topography to the extent feasible. When retaining walls are necessary, terraced and landscaped walls are preferred.

• Where earth berms are used, adequate horizontal space shall be provided to allow appropriate side slopes and support proposed vegetation.

Landscaping

• Parking areas shall contain landscaping islands to break up large expanses of hard surfacing. Scale of parking islands, their location and spacing and tree species shall be appropriate for the scale of the parking area. Planting areas shall be designed to protect trees from vehicles.

• Landscaping areas shall be provided between driveways and property lines, with the exception of joint driveways.

• Landscaping maintenance shall be guaranteed for two growing seasons to assure required screening and landscaping functions will be established as intended. A maintenance bond, assignment of funds or other financial guarantee provided to the City in the amount of 50 percent of the value of the landscaping is an acceptable instrument.

Landscaping

• Landscaping plans should include coniferous trees and evergreen vegetation in the mixture of plant materials to the extent feasible based on site characteristics.

Buildings and Signs

• On street and entry sides, buildings shall include storefront windows and avoid blank walls unless screening is required due to zone boundaries or other factors. There shall be consistent architectural treatment of all sides of the building facing streets and entries.

• Sign design standards should be developed for the Meridian Commercial District that promote effective business identification, reduce sign clutter and complement the district design goals. Sign plans for developments shall include limitations on the location and area of wall signs, minimize the number of freestanding signs and integrate signage with building and site design.

Meridian Neighborhood – Areas 10 and 12A
Permitted Uses in Whatcom County General Commercial Zone
August 1996

Permitted Uses:

1. Automobile, motorcycle, marine and farm implement sales, repair and service; provided that all repair services are conducted within an enclosed building.
2. Automobile service stations, car washes and public garages.
3. Mobile home and recreational vehicle sales.
4. Eating and drinking establishments.
5. Rental agencies.
6. Indoor commercial recreation facilities limited to bowling alleys, skating rinks, indoor theaters and physical fitness centers.
7. Passenger terminal facilities.
8. Service establishments including but not limited to, barber and beauty shops, laundries, dry cleaners, furniture repair, frozen food lockers, funeral parlors, animal hospitals, auction houses, financial institutions, fraternal organizations and professional offices.
9. Retail establishments including but not limited to, grocery, liquor, drug, sundries, variety, building supplies, clothing, florist, nurseries, optical, sporting goods, appliance, music and pet stores.
10. Printing and publishing establishments.
11. Public facilities and utilities.
12. Rental storage establishments
13. Public and community facilities including police and fire stations, libraries, community centers, recreation facilities, and other similar non-commercial uses.
14. Hotels and motels
15. One single family dwelling per lot of record.

[Ord. 2009-06-037; Ord. 2004-12-087]

Area	Zoning	Use Qualifier	Density	Special Conditions	Prerequisite Considerations	Special Regulations
1	Commercial	Planned – See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines, Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	None	Access; regulated stream; stormwater management; design guidelines*	None	* See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines, attached.
1A	Commercial	Planned – Limited light industrial uses allowed** See attached Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines - Identity, Land Use subsection for a list of prohibited uses.	None	Access; interface between commercial and industrial uses; stormwater management; design guidelines*	None	See Meridian Commercial District Development Guidelines, attached. The following uses compromise the category of limited light industrial uses: Manufacturing of: - Apparel and other products made from fabrics and similar material - Furniture and fixtures - Printing, publishing and allied industries - Electrical and electronic machinery, equipment and supplies - Measuring, analyzing and controlling instruments; photographic, medical and optical good; watches and clocks; - Miscellaneous manufacturing industries which do not constitute a fire, explosion or safety hazard and are compatible with adjacent commercial development as determined by the Director of Planning and Community Development.