City of Bellingham

MAYOR’S NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMISSION

“JUST SO YOU ARE AWARE”—Information of Interest

April 12, 2006

Inside this issue:

v  New Whatcom: Waterfront planning update

v  Historic Preservation Workshop: Tools to preserve your neighborhood history

v  Neighborhood Small & Simple grant awards

v  A Mount Baker Neighborhood Association in the Works

v  Consolidated Plan update

v  New Planning Director hired

v  Downtown Landscaping Renaissance

v  Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District moves forward on Museum and Theatre projects

v  27th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards – April 18th

v  Planning Updates: Comprehensive Plan, and Shoreline Master Program

v  Parks and Recreation Updates:  North Bellingham Trail and Greenways planning, Taylor Dock, Civic Field

v  Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements:  Who to Contact

v  April BTV10 Inside Bellingham features golf, preserving history, teen driving and more

v  City Web site improvements

 

Waterfront economic analysis launched

Waterfront redevelopment planning during the next few months will focus on researching the economics of the plans being considered. It is anticipated that the economic analysis results will help decision makers determine some of the final site plan elements including density of development, amount of parks and trails, types of uses and timing of construction of infrastructure.

Far from being a halt in the waterfront planning, this is a necessary and anticipated step in the process to ensure the final master plan is balanced and includes the necessary revenues for the port and city to pay for development expenses.

Results from this analysis are expected to be presented to the community in September. For more specific details and meeting schedules, visit www.newwhatcom.org.

New Whatcom website updates:

Meanwhile, city and port staff have updated the joint waterfront redevelopment website, making it easier to find information. Public comment compilations are posted weekly, and the web site has attracted many viewers and considerable public comment.

Western on the Waterfront:

At noon on Wednesday, April 19, at the Port's Harbor Center Conference Room, the Port Commission will have a special public presentation about Western Washington University’s waterfront planning efforts. Western’s Waterfront Development Committee and its consultant will present the preliminary plans for the university's presence on Bellingham's waterfront, plans that have been developed over a two-year period with participation from the campus community.

Historic Preservation Workshop: Tools to preserve your neighborhood’s character

The Whatcom Museum of History and Art is offering a free workshop titled Historic Preservation:  Tools for Building Community on Saturday, April 22nd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The workshop will help you to

v  Learn more about the City’s updated Historic Preservation Ordinance

v  Better understand the difference between locally and nationally designated historic districts

v  Learn about Bellingham’s historic architectural styles

v  Learn how to take the first steps in researching, surveying, and writing about Bellingham’s historic buildings and neighborhoods

And -- to have the opportunity to network with other neighborhood associations that are dealing with issues surrounding historic neighborhoods

 

To register contact:  Richard Vanderway, Curator of Educational and Public Programs, Whatcom Museum, 676-6981 x 219, rvanderway@cob.org

 

Neighborhoods win grants for projects

Every year we request proposals under our Small and Simple Grants Program.  We are happy to report that a number of neighborhood projects were awarded grants:

 

 

2006 Small & Simple Program Grant Recipients

Organization

Project

Award

Alabama Hill Association

Neighborhood Survey

$240.00

Allied Arts

14th Annual Chalk Art Festival

$2500.00

Bellingham High School Alumni Band

Bellingham High Alumni Band performances

$2500.00

Bellingham Railway Museum

Reprint Rack Card Brochures

$950.00

Big Rock Garden Park

Recognition Wall

$1800.00

Broadway Park Centennial

Broadway Park Centennial Celebration

$2346.00

Cowgill Block Watch

Installation of a Light

 

Downtown Renaissance Network

Downtown Sounds

$2500.00

Happy Valley Neighborhood Association

Happy Valley Tree Planting

$2500.00

The Jazz Project

The Art of Jazz

$2500.00

Larrabee Elementary School PTA

Larrabee Habitat Garden

$2500.00

Leadership Whatcom

Whatcom Commuter Pledge

$2500.00

Lettered Streets Neighborhood Association

Newsletter, Membership Survey and Historic Research

$760.00

Opportunity Council – Dine Out for Maple Alley Inn

Dine out to support Maple Alley Inn

$2500.00

Parkview Elementary School

Install a Greenhouse and Garden

$2000.00

Roosevelt Neighborhood Association

Roosevelt Tree Planting

$2500.00

Sustainable Connections

Think Local – Buy Local-Be Local

$2500.00

Whatcom Art Guild

Art By the Lake

$1778.00

Whatcom Middle School

Noisy Waters Mural

$2000.00

York Neighborhood Assoc

Street Improvement

$2500.00

 

These grants are open for competition at the first of every year with the awards announced during the first quarter.  Contact Tara Sundin (tsundin@cob.org) or Shannon Trimakas (strimakas@cob.org) of our Planning and Community Development staff for further information.  (ph: 676-6982)

History in the making: Mount Baker Neighborhood Association

Can you help identify residents of the Mount Baker neighborhood who may be interested in founding a Mount Baker neighborhood association?  If so, please have them contact J. Kaye Faulkner at 647-0391. Mount Baker Neighborhood is one of the fastest in-fill sections of our City.  It runs from the east side of I-5 north of Sunset Square to the Northeast city limits. Its southern boundary jogs down below Sunset to Illinois and Racine, then over to where the Railroad trail goes east from Woburn, South of Barkley Village.  Chandler Parkway, Squalicum High School, and Northridge Park are on its eastern side. There are new housing developments in the neighborhood, both north and south of Sunset Drive.  If you can lend a hand in identifying residents who could help develop the Mount Baker Neighborhood Association, please do contact J. Kaye Faulkner.

Contribute your ideas to our “Consolidated Plan”

Whereas our Comprehensive Plan deals with land use and zoning issues, our “Consolidated Plan” is our strategic vision for housing, human services, and community development within the City.   The Five-Year Consolidated Plan, effective from 2003 through 2007, proposes strategies and specific activities to address community needs (housing, human services, community development).  The document is used to apply for federal and state funding, to guide our program implementation, and evaluate program performance.

 

Annually, the city creates a “One-Year Action Plan” for use of dedicated funding.  Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and the city’s General Fund provide the financial support for the programs outlined in the plan.

 

The current 2006 Action Plan, approved in November 2005, is being amended in response to changing funding levels and community needs.  On April 13, 2006, the City of Bellingham will open a 30 day public comment period on proposed amendments to the “2006 Action Plan.”  Citizens are invited to review and comment on the proposed changes. 

 

The original 2006 Consolidated Plan and Information on the proposed changes will be available on April 13, 2006 at the Community Development Division, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 and at the Bellingham Public Library and under “Quick Links” on the Community Development Division Web site at http://www.cob.org/pcd/cd/index.htm.  The public comment period will close at 5:00 PM on May 15, 2006.  For further information, contact Dave Cahill, City of Bellingham, (360) 676-6880, ext. 236.

Introducing our new Planning & Community Development Director

After a nationwide search and extensive screening process, Mayor Mark Asmundson has appointed Tim Stewart as the city's Planning and Community Development Director.

Asmundson said Stewart has decades of experience in cities large and small.

 

“Our emphasis in the search was quality, hiring the best, most highly qualified director we could attract, and we found that in Tim Stewart,” he said.

 

Stewart has served as the City of Shoreline, Washington’s first Planning and Development Services Director after the city of more than 53,000 incorporated in 1995.  He left Shoreline in September of 2005 to serve as visiting lecturer in land use and government decision making at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, where his wife, Rose is also teaching as a Fulbright Scholar. Stewart will return to the U.S. and begin work in early May.

 

The selection process included meeting with key stakeholder groups, consulting with City Council and Planning Commission members, community leaders and neighborhood representatives, and including them on candidate interview panels.

Who ya gonna call in the meantime?

You can call long-time Bellingham senior planner Greg Aucutt, who has been serving as Interim Planning and Community Development Director since December. In this role he has advised Port and City officials on key waterfront redevelopment issues, made improved communication and public involvement in planning issues a department priority, and provided day-to-day supervision and management of the department’s 51 employees.

 

Greg has led the final steps of the city’s Comprehensive Plan update, an enormous, state-mandated project that drives city regulatory requirements and guidelines for future growth, city capital projects and private development. The department also is working to respond to other state mandates, such as finalizing shorelines and critical areas regulations, as well as updating the municipal code, regarding zoning, permitting, building height and other regulations, and, yes, figuring out how to get neighborhood plan updates done.

 

Greg and his staff also keep day-to-day work of the department going: reviewing building and development proposals and issuing permits, managing housing, tourism and other grants, supervising “brownfields”’ clean up and downtown redevelopment.  Thank you, Greg for doing so well at a tough job with grace, good humor and team spirit!

 

Downtown Landscaping Renaissance:

The Downtown Renaissance Network (DRN) has added landscaping services to its Maintenance & Beautification Program.  With assistance from a City of Bellingham grant, the Downtown Renaissance Network developed a three-year landscape plan for downtown and began implementing the plan last month.  Their first focus is on cleanup, repair, and maintenance of existing landscape areas downtown.  This includes tree wells, planter beds, and the “dog bones” in the median on Railroad Ave.

 

In 2006 they will add groupings of new planters to create landscape islands on some of the largest intersection corners in the City Center.  The new planters will be large scale, permanent plantings emphasizing textural interest and minimal seasonal color change.  Hanging baskets will also be added where feasible to enhance the pedestrian experience and draw attention to shopping areas.

Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District moves forward on Museum and Theatre projects

The Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District (BWPFD) took action to move forward two important community projects downtown. 

 

New Art and Children’s Museum:  The PFD Board authorized moving forward with the construction drawings and bid process phase for the new Art Museum and Children's Museum.   Construction is expected to begin in January of 2007, with a tentative opening date for the fall of 2008.   The new museum facility will provide quality art exhibitions, storage for present collections and exciting new space for the Children's Museum.  Plans call for the 1892 Old City Hall to be devoted entirely to history, with the Syre Education Building given over to Photographic Archives (downstairs) and administration upstairs

 

The building plans incorporate features that should achieve “Silver” status under the Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards set by the United States Green Building Council.

 

Mount Baker Theatre: In September 2004, “Phase One” of improvements to the Mount Baker Theatre was completed.  By acquiring storefront spaces and expanding the footprint of the theatre, Phase One provided for a new Studio Theatre space and made other major "back of house" improvements including new dressing rooms, "green room" and associated equipment and storage space. The PFD board is moving ahead with design work associated with Phase Two of improvements to the theater.  Some improvements for lighting and acoustics will also be accomplished this summer. 

 

The Public Facilities District is a legal entity under state law that was formed in 2002 to do work on and fund a regional center to increase economic prosperity and lay a foundation for future public and private investment in our community.  It uses both private donations and dedicated sales tax revenue for that purpose.

 

27th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards -- April 18th

Every year Mayor Mark and the Bellingham Arts Commission honor community members who have significantly contributed to the arts in our community.  The recipients represent a wide variety of visual, performing and cultural art endeavors.   This year’s honorees include Firehouse Performing Arts Center; Mindport & AnMorgan Curry; Shuksan Middle School; Jazz Project and Jud Sherwood; Women Painters show of the Whatcom Museum, Janis Olson, Curator; Carole Morris, Historian; Trish Harding School of Art; Memorial Park Project by KGMI; 3B Tavern; and  Motorcycles, a show at the Whatcom Museum.

 

Join Mayor Asmundson and Arts Commissioners for this wonderful community recognition on April 18th at 6:30 p.m. in the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room. 

 

For more information, contact Shannon Trimakas, Planning & Community Development Department 676-6982, or strimakas@cob.org. 

Planning Updates:

Comprehensive Plan

The City Council has scheduled two additional work sessions on April 17th at 1:00 p.m. and April 25th at 6:30 p.m. to continue their discussion of the land use methodology and Urban Growth Area sizing and zoning as it relates to the 2005 Comprehensive Plan update.  An additional subsequent work session may be scheduled as needed by Council.  When the Council's review is complete, the complete 2005 Comprehensive Plan will be scheduled for Council action at a regularly scheduled meeting.

 

Copies of the latest draft of the plan are now available in the Planning Department and on the City's Web site (www.cob.org). Check the City's Web site for updated meeting information or contact Cheri Moniz in the Planning Department for more information. 

 

Shoreline Master Program

The work we are doing on our Shoreline Master Program addresses Bellingham Bay, Lakes Whatcom and Padden, Squalicum, Whatcom and Chuckanut Creeks and the lands within 200' of these water-bodies. 

 

A Planning Commission public hearing / work session is scheduled for April 27, 2006. Our goal is to present our planning work to the City Council before June 1, 2006 so we appreciate your input by June 1.  The DRAFT SMP is available on our Web site (http://www.cob.org/pcd/planning/environment.htm). Hardcopies are also available in the Planning Department at City Hall. For further information contact Steve at ssundin@cob.org. Public comment on the DRAFT SMP will remain open up until the last City Council public hearing date in June.

 

Parks and Recreation Updates:

 

North Bellingham Trails and Greenways Plan:  The next meeting on the North Bellingham Trails and Greenways Plan is scheduled for April 19 at 7 pm in the Palm Room of the Birchwood Presbyterian Church, 400 Meadow Brook Ct.  Since the March meeting, work groups have been meeting to work on a vision statement for the plan, goals of the plan, preparing an existing resource inventory and developing criteria for route selection. 

 

Taylor Dock:  Much to everyone's delight, Taylor Dock is once again open, in time for spring.  Check out the ongoing improvements.  Construction will be complete in July.

 

Civic Field -- Input on Skate Park expansion requested:   Work at Civic Field is proceeding on schedule.  Work on the skate park expansion is scheduled to begin this summer.  The city is interested in hearing from citizens, especially beginner skaters and their parents, regarding the latest design.  Check it out on the City Web site, or come by the Parks Office, at 3424 Meridian.  Contact Gina Gobo, Project Engineer, at ggobo@cob.org or by calling 676-6985.

 

 

 

Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements:  Who to Contact

The City's Bike and Pedestrian "Spot" Program helps identify potential improvements to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety and access. If you or someone from your neighborhood "spots" a problem, fill out a Bike/Pedestrian Improvement Request form and return it to Kim Brown, City Transportation Options Coordinator, and Liaison to the Mayor's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. You can obtain a form from the City's Web site at: http://www.cob.org/mayor/boards_commissions/bicycle_pedestrian/bicycle.htm (under "Quick Links"). You can also pick up a form at Public Works Engineering, 2nd floor of City Hall, or call 676-6961, ext. 132.

 

City staff will review your request, respond by phone or e-mail, and notify the Mayor's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. For questions about the improvement request forms, or other bike/ped issues, contact Kim at 676-6961, ext. 132, or kimbrown@cob.org.

 

 

BTV10 Inside Bellingham features golf, preserving history, teen driving and more

Inside Bellingham, produced by the City of Bellingham, gives viewers an inside peek into city government programs, services, activities and people. Inside Bellingham airs several times each week on BTV10, the city’s government and educational access channel, and is also available to view on the city’s Web site.  The April episode features:

 

            Teen driving information from the Bellingham Police Department;

            Preservation programs and a museum exhibit highlighting the city’s historic buildings;

            The Lake Padden Golf Course;

            Tips for making sure your smoke alarm does its job when you need it the most;

            A day in the life of Municipal Court Commissioner Pete Smiley;

            And more!

 

For BTV10 schedule information and access to on-line television programs, visit the city’s Web site at www.cob.org.

 

CITY WEB SITE:  New and old good stuff!

Council meetings and Inside Bellingham Episodes!

The City of Bellingham Web site now features 24 hours-a-day access to videotaped 2006 meetings of the City Council.  You can also access 2006 episodes of the city-produced television program Inside Bellingham on the Web site.

 

A high-speed internet connection and free software are required to view the web-based videos. Audio versions are offered for those with slower internet connections. The new feature is a pilot project to test video-streaming technology. Citizen feedback and usage statistics will be used to gauge demand and fine-tune the service.

For details about watching the city’s on-line programming, visit the city's
Web site: www.cob.org.

 

“Pre-Application Neighborhood Meetings”

For certain types of land use applications or building permits, the developer is required to notify the neighbors and hold a “pre-application neighborhood meeting.”  The applicant’s notices for these meetings are now being posted on the Planning Public Notice database at http://www.cob.org/cob/Pubnot.nsf.  This link is emailed on Fridays to neighborhood representatives.  Pass this information on to your neighbors and please contact the planner named on the notice if you have specific questions at 676-6982.