Real Briefings
Planning Commission
The Bellingham Planning Commission continued its comprehensive review of the new Bellingham Plan with a deep dive into the Land Use and Housing chapters on February 20, 2025. This work session focused on proposed changes driven by state legislation, particularly House Bill 1110, which requires cities to accommodate at least six of nine middle housing types citywide. Staff presented significant structural changes including a new residential classification system (Low, Medium, High) that would replace the current Single Family/Multi-Family dichotomy, minimum density requirements across all residential zones, and new allowances for small-scale commercial uses in residential areas. The meeting also featured robust public comment addressing LED signage regulations at schools, concerns about eliminating neighborhood plans, support for Urban Growth Area expansion, and calls for economic development policies. Eight speakers provided testimony ranging from technical planning concerns to broader housing affordability issues. Staff outlined a timeline extending through May 2025 for chapter reviews, with the Land Use and Housing chapters returning for more detailed discussion on March 20. The Commission will continue reviewing Community Design on March 6, with an optional March 27 meeting available for outstanding issues.
**Officer Elections:** - Mike Estes re-elected as Chair for 2025 (unanimous) - Barbara Plaskett elected as Vice Chair for 2025 (unanimous) - Shoreline Committee appointed: Russell Whidbee, Scott Jo…
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**House Bill 1110 Implementation:** Staff explained how the state requirement to allow at least six of nine middle housing types would be implemented through Bellingham's "infill toolkit" expanded citywide. The current toolkit allows duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, cottage housing, and common courtyard housing. Missing types include stacked flats and five/six-plexes, which could be added later.
**Residential Zoning Restructure:** The most significant proposed change involves consolidating the current Residential Single and Residential Multi categories into Low, Medium, and High designations, each with minimum density requirements. The Lake Whatcom watershed would receive a separate "Residential Watershed" designation with limited development. Staff emphasized this represents a shift from maximum density limits to minimum density requirements.
**Small-…
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**Michael Chrostowski (South Hill NAC representative):** Requested Planning Commission initiate code changes to restrict LED signage at school properties, arguing the COVID-era changes lacked proper public input and that digital signs are inappropriate for residential neighborhoods.
**Tina Chrostowski:** Supported LED signage restrictions, citing environmental concerns and noting many cities have banned digital signage, including Eureka, California, which she described as similar to Bellingham.
**Bill Geier (Geier and Associates):** Provided historical context on Bellingham's sign regulations dating to 1980, emphasizing neighborhood character preservation. As a certified planner with 45 years experience, he supported the LED signage amendment proposal.
**Brian Gass:** Criticized the characterization of single-family neighborhoods as "exclusionary," arguing the planning department controls development costs and timing. Advoc…
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**Elizabeth Erickson, on citywide planning approach:**
"This allows for an equitable approach to addressing change over time. The proposed residential classification system is an example of this shift."
**Chris Behee, on House Bill 1110 requirements:**
"What House Bill 1110 requires is that on every residential lot in the city, that you are allowed outright to build four housing units."
**Jeremy Beck, on affordability challenges:**
"You cannot fix this problem of affordability without income…
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**March 6, 2025:** Community Design chapter review **March 20, 2025:** Detailed Land Use and Housing discussion covering citywide planning shifts, small-scale commercial policies, land use map details, annexation policies, and transit corridors **March 27, 2025:** Optional meeting for outstanding issues **Summer 2025:** Public he…
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**Leadership:** Mike Estes continues as Planning Commission Chair through 2025, Barbara Plaskett elected as new Vice Chair, replacing previous leadership structure.
**Process:** Comprehensive plan review now structured with multiple touch points per chapter, allowing deeper discussion of complex topics like housing policy and zoning restructure.
**Public engagement:** LED signage issue elevated from neighborhood concern to formal Planning Commission cons…
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# Bellingham Planning Commission Charts Course for Comprehensive Plan Update
A winter storm couldn't keep the Bellingham Planning Commission from tackling one of their most significant tasks in years: reviewing draft chapters of the city's new comprehensive plan that will reshape how housing and development happen across Bellingham for the next two decades.
## Meeting Overview
The February 20, 2025 Planning Commission meeting was a marathon session that stretched over two hours, as commissioners dove deep into the proposed Land Use and Housing chapters of the updated Bellingham Plan. Chair Mike Estes convened the meeting at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers, with commissioners Barbara Plaskett, Jed Ballew, Jerry Richmond, Russ Whidbee, and Scott Jones present. Rose Lathrop was absent.
What made this meeting notable was its scope and ambition. Staff presented sweeping changes to how Bellingham will approach residential development, from implementing state-mandated "middle housing" requirements to fundamentally restructuring the city's approach to planning neighborhoods. The changes stem from both local housing needs and recent Washington State legislation that requires cities to dramatically increase housing options.
## Digital Signage Sparks Community Pushback
Before diving into the comprehensive plan, the meeting opened with passionate public testimony about LED signs at Bellingham Public Schools. Michael Chrostowski, representing the South Hill Neighborhood Association, delivered pointed criticism of the district's digital reader boards that have appeared on school properties since 2020.
"Prior to Covid 19, LED signs were absent from residential neighborhoods," Chrostowski told commissioners. "Then in 2020, Bellingham schools lobbied for code change to allow these electric signs on their properties, often embedded in residential zones."
The signs, measuring 15 square feet with LED screens that can display programmable messages, produce "a persistent and audible hum" from interior fans, he explained. Seven have been built to date, with the school district planning to make them standard across all properties.
"When marketed to schools, these devices are often called reader boards. When marketed to businesses, they are often called digital billboards," Chrostowski said, arguing the distinction is artificial.
His wife, Tina Chrostowski, a college librarian, reinforced the criticism by pointing to a growing national movement against digital signage. …
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### 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, staf…
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