Neighborhood: Edgemoor Neighborhood Plan
I. Neighborhood Character
The quiet residential character of the Edgemoor Neighborhood is a valued asset.
Although densities and housing styles vary throughout the neighborhood, the
entire developed portion of the planning area consists of single family
detached dwelling units. The western half of the neighborhood contains large
single family homes on well-landscaped one-half acre lots. The term "rural
estate" has been used to describe this portion of the neighborhood where
magnificent views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands are a highly
valued resource.
A smaller, newly developed area in the northern portion of the neighborhood has
been platted into smaller lots and the contemporary homes are afforded views
northerly of Bellingham Bay and the city. The eastern half of the neighborhood,
generally east of Fieldston Road, does not have the panoramic marine view; but
in many cases territorial views of Chuckanut Mountain are available. A portion
of the area between Clark Road and Cypress is relatively new, and landscaping
has not matured to the degree prevalent in other portions of the neighborhood.
Much of the eastern portion of the area has not yet been developed, although
development plans have recently been approved in the area of Willow Road and
Chuckanut Drive.
The entire southern one third of the Edgemoor Neighborhood consists of perhaps
the most magnificent property in the city. A large, steep, heavily wooded
peninsula, commonly known as Clark's Point, extends into Bellingham Bay,
forming the western boundary of Chuckanut Bay. Steep slopes follow the edges of
Chuckanut Bay, paralleling Viewcrest Road, and, together with Clark's Point,
provide a natural resource amenity identified in the Whatcom County
Interagency Park, Recreation, and Open Space Study (l977) as a primary goal
for conservation efforts for the benefit of the entire city.
II. Open Space
As previously stated, Clark's Point and steep slopes adjacent to Chuckanut Bay
are a principal park and open space resource in the city. While public
acquisition of the subject properties would be very expensive, the resource is
unique and extremely valuable.
CLARK'S POINT AND THE STEEP HILLSIDES ADJACENT CHUCKANUT BAY SHOULD BE
PRESERVED AS VALUABLE OPEN SPACE AND MARINE ACCESS POINTS, EITHER THROUGH
ACQUISITION OR PUBLIC EASEMENTS GAINED THROUGH SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT. THE PEAK
SOUTHEAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF VIEWCREST ROAD AND FIELDSTON SHOULD BE
DEVELOPED AS A VIEWPOINT.
Although the neighborhood lacks, for the most part, paths or sidewalks, walking
is an important activity in the neighborhood. Sensitively designed pedestrian
facilities would provide safety and convenience to walkers and cyclists alike.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES BE IMPROVED ON PARKRIDGE,
HAWTHORNE, WILLOW, FIELDSTON, AND CHUCKANUT DRIVE.
The absence of play lots in the neighborhood causes an increasing problem as development
occupies previously vacant land which had been utilized by neighborhood
children. The higher densities and present demographic characteristics of the
neighborhood indicate that the need for play lots is most prevalent in the
eastern portion of the neighborhood.
A PLAY LOT SHOULD BE INTEGRATED INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VACANT LAND BETWEEN
CLARK ROAD AND VIEWCREST EAST OF FIELDSTON ROAD.
A SECOND PLAY LOT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN THE DENSER AREA SOUTH OF WILLOW ROAD
AND EAST OF FIELDSTON ROAD.
PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED BETWEEN THE PLAY LOTS AND NORTHERLY
FROM WILLOW ROAD TO FAIRHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
Two valuable marine resources, in addition to Clark's Point/Chuckanut Bay,
exist in the neighborhood. The first, commonly known as the Edgemoor Lagoon, is
located west of Bayside Road and north of Willow Road. A portion of this tidal
lagoon is available for access by Edgemoor residents. The lagoon was once
separated from Bellingham Bay by railroad bulkheads, but actions by Edgemoor residents
resulted in the construction of an opening, and the well-flushed lagoon is an
even more attractive neighborhood amenity.
The second area is located north of the lagoon and is separated from the
neighborhood by railroad tracks. It is an attractive sandstone outcropping
which is accessed by many city residents from the Port of Bellingham's Marine
Park via the railroad tracks. While access to this site may be precarious, it
offers a unique type of marine/land interface not readily available in the city.
ACCESS TO THE EDGEMOOR LAGOON FOR NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE SANDSTONE POINT ON THE NORTHERN SHORE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
SHOULD BE RETAINED, AND THE PROVISION OF SAFER ACCESS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.
III. Public Facilities and Utilities
Storm drainage has proved to be a problem in the Edgemoor Neighborhood in past
years. As streets were developed, enclosed storm drainage was excluded and, for
the most part, shallow roadside ditches carry storm water runoff. Although
culverts have been installed in some places, an overall storm sewer system is
absent. While development of an overall storm drainage system is needed to
alleviate overflow problems, it is also important that new sources of storm
water runoff be required to maintain existing levels of drainage volumes so as
not to exacerbate problems downstream. The Comprehensive Drainage Plan,
authored by Kramer, Chin, and Mayo in l973, indicates trunk storm sewer
improvements needed in the neighborhood and more recent study by the Public
Works Department has more specifically identified the overall drainage needs.
AN OVERALL STORM DRAINAGE PLAN FOR THE EDGEMOOR NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD BE
DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED AS IS FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE.
Fairhaven Middle School grounds provide one of the most convenient areas for
active recreation in the neighborhood. However, nonvehicular access from most
of the area requires travel on either Fieldston/Hawthorne Roads or Chuckanut
Drive, neither of which have adequate pedestrian or bicycle improvements.
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE ACCESS SHOULD BE IMPROVED TO FAIRHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND
FAIRHAVEN PARK.
Water Distribution
The water distribution system throughout the neighborhood is generally
adequate. However, in the less developed southern part of Edgemoor, some
additional "looping" is desirable.
AS DEVELOPMENT OCCURS, ADDITIONAL LOOPING OF THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED.
IV. Circulation
Chuckanut Drive is the only arterial in the neighborhood and forms its eastern boundary.
Access to the neighborhood from Chuckanut Drive exists at Hawthorn Road, 16th
Street and Viewcrest Road. A fourth access via 4th Street serves the northern
portion of the neighborhood. Hawthorn Road is the most heavily utilized access
point and joins the Chuckanut Drive arterial at a hazardous five-legged
intersection.
The capacity of Chuckanut Drive is limited by the present width of the 12th
Street bridge just north of the neighborhood. Capacity improvements to
Chuckanut would, therefore, be fruitless until either the bridge were widened
or substitute access through Fairhaven were established west of 12th Street.
However, it is recommended that:
CHUCKANUT DRIVE BE IMPROVED FOR USE BY PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS.
Streets, and their ultimate standard, must be designed to perform a required
function within a given area. In the lower density areas where on-street
parking is uncommon, narrower streets can suffice, while in the higher density
areas, off-street parking is not as available, and street standards must
reflect that need. Likewise, neighborhood collectors must be constructed to
perform a greater function than local residential streets.
IF IS RECOMMENDED THAT FIELDSTON ROAD FROM CLARK'S POINT TO HAWTHORN ROAD,
HAWTHORN ROAD FROM FIELDSTON ROAD TO CHUCKANUT DRIVE, AND WILLOW FROM BAYSIDE
ROAD TO CHUCKANUT DRIVE BE IMPROVED TO 28 FEET IN WIDTH WITH THICKENED EDGES
AND A PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE PATH ON ONE SIDE, EXCEPT THAT WILLOW ROAD FROM
FIELDSTON ROAD TO CHUCKANUT DRIVE BE IMPROVED TO 36 FEET WITH CURBS AND
GUTTERS.
STREETS OR IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING STREETS WITHIN AREAS 1 AND 2 SHOULD BE 36
FEET WITH CURBS, GUTTERS AND SIDEWALKS. ONE WAY LOOPS MAY BE REDUCED
ACCORDINGLY.
FUTURE STREET IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN AREAS 4 AND 7 SHOULD BE A STANDARD OF 24 FEET
WITH THICKENED EDGES.
STREETS OR IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING STREETS WITHIN AREAS 5 AND 6 SHOULD BE
CONSTRUCTED TO A STANDARD OF 28 FEET IN WIDTH WITH CURBS AND GUTTERS AND A
PATHWAY ON ONE SIDE, EXCEPT THAT CONNECTIONS TO EXITING STREETS OF A GREATER
STANDARD SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SMOOTH, SAFE TRANSITIONS.
THE HAWTHORN/COWGILL/12TH STREET/CHUCKANUT, PARKRIDGE INTERSECTION SHOULD BE
IMPROVED TO ELIMINATE EXISTING RIGHT-OF-WAY CONFLICTS AND SIGHT DISTANCE
PROBLEMS.
V. Land Use
Area 1
This area is a small portion of the northwest section of the neighborhood.
Until recently, this prime view area was undeveloped. A well designed
subdivision has been developed, and the land use designation is a reflection of
the area's existing density and style.
General Use Type
: Residential - Single
Use Qualifier : Detached
Density : 15,000 square feet minimum detached lot size
Special Conditions : View
Prerequisite Considerations : None
Area 2
This recently developed portion of the neighborhood is representative of
subdivision trends of the early 1970's, having wide, curbed streets and lots
smaller than those generally found in the Edgemoor Neighborhood. Again, the
land use designation fits the developed trend in this sub-area.
General Use Type
: Residential - Single
Use Qualifier : Detached
Density : 7,200 square feet minimum detached lot size
Special Conditions : View
Prerequisite Considerations : None
Area 3
Area 3 is the Fairhaven Middle School and its adjacent play fields.
General Use Type
: Public
Use Qualifier : School/Recreation
Density : NA
Special Conditions : None
Prerequisite Considerations : None
Area 4
Consisting of large half acre lots, Area 4 exemplifies the "rural
estate" characterizes this portion of the Edgemoor neighborhood. The area
includes most of the western slope of the neighborhood as well as the
residences on the Parkridge and Underhill Roads. The land use designation
reflects the developed trend in this sub-area.
General Use Type
: Residential - Single
Use Qualifier : Detached
Density : 20,000 square feet minimum detached lot size
Special Conditions : View, historic, marine access where feasible
Prerequisite Considerations : None
Area 5
This area was subdivided several years ago into lots smaller than those in the
adjacent areas to the west and north. Again, the land use designation reflects
existing plat characteristics.
General Use Type
: Residential - Single
Use Qualifier : Detached
Density : 10,000 square feet minimum detached lot size
Special Conditions : None
Prerequisite Considerations : None
Area 6
Some of the more recent subdivisions in the neighborhood have occurred in this
area. There are also larger holdings of unplatted land. The land use
designation calls for a continuation of the developed trend in this portion of
the neighborhood.
General Use Type
: Residential - Single
Use Qualifier : Detached
Density : 15,000 square feet minimum detached lot size
Special Conditions : Clearing, view, water distribution design
Prerequisite Considerations : None
Area 7
As previously described herein, Area 7 is a highly valued natural resource for
which conservation has been a consistent recommendation. While a designation as
"public" might seem more appropriate for the area, the land is under
private ownership, so a land use designation is made which will permit
development while maintaining the exceptional natural qualities of the
properties.
General Use Type
: Residential - Single
Use Qualifier : Detached, cluster
Density : 20,000 square feet minimum detached lot size, or
One lot per 20,000 square feet average overall density
Special Conditions : Clearing, view buffering from adjacent residential,
water distribution design
Prerequisite Considerations : Improvement to Fieldston Road and Willow
Road as neighborhood collectors
Area 8
This 1.55 acre parcel of land is proposed as an eight lot cluster subdivision
with views oriented toward Bellingham Bay and away from the City of Bellingham
sewage treatment center. The preservation of mature growth timber is important
for preservation of the neighborhood character, screening and open space. The
density is compatible with densities in adjacent areas 1 and 2.
General Use Type
: Residential Single
Use Qualifier : Cluster Attached
Density : 8,400 square feet minimum attached
Special Conditions : View, Preservation of mature growth timber
Prerequisite Conditions : Subdivision review to address special
conditions and potential trail linkages
As adopted by Ordinance No. 8868 and amended by Ordinance 8946, 9762.
Disclaimer: The official versions of the plans are
kept in the Planning Department. Please contact the Planning Office to verify
that current changes have been made to this version.