Edgemoor
Neighborhood Meeting
Thursday,
February 2, 2006
7-9
PM
Fairhaven
Park Pavilion
Topics:
School
Bond Issue
Coalition
of Southside Neighborhoods
Responsible
Development Update
Greeting
from the Communications Committee
“Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the
world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead.
Edgemoor
Neighborhood may not be experiencing the growing pains of other less
established neighborhoods, but never-the-less change is happening all
around us. Much of this change will affect the quality of life outside our
homes….some for the good, some not so desirable. Change has brought with
it new plans for larger homes, development of ‘urban villages,’ with
needs for new or improved schools, and a view of future waterfront
development. Now is the time to get out and get involved or at least get
informed.
ENA
was one of many sponsors for the presentation on Jan. 12 of Eben Fodor who
specializes in community and land use planning. He was commissioned by
Responsible Development to study the impact of development as it pertains
to the use of our tax dollars. He estimated the public cost of the
proposed Chuckanut Ridge Development at $12.1 million. Regardless of how
you feel about Fairhaven Highlands, it is important to understand the cost
of development to the community. Read the complete article in the Whatcom
Independent at http://www.whatcomindy.org/docs/2006/issue%20113/growth.html.
A
public meeting was held on January 24th to share several design concepts
for New Whatcom. Drafts of 4 visions were presented for comments and
observations. At this point, the Waterfront Advisory Group is trying to
get a feel for the ideas and elements the Bellingham community likes the
most. There will additional meetings on January 31st at the Bellingham
Municipal Court and Feb 1 at the Harbor Center Conference Room. The
meetings will start at 7 pm. For more information look on line at www.newwhatcom.org.
Three
topics of interest will be presented at the meeting on Feb. 2nd. Deputy
Superintendent Susan Zoller of Bellingham Public Schools will address
issues of growth, school facility needs, and the proposed school bond.
Mike Botwin and Cathy McKenzie, coordinators for Coalition of Southside
Neighborhoods, are interested in hearing our concerns and ideas to help
CSN work better with all Southside neighborhoods. Dr. Frank James will
present an update of Responsible Development activities. Of course the
Hospitality Committee will provide refreshments and opportunity to
socialize with your neighbors.
That
wraps it up – Hope to see you at the meeting on February 2nd.
Edgemoor
Neighborhood Representative to MNAC
Read
Just So You are Aware - January 2006 newsletter from the Mayors
Neighborhood Advisory Commission (MNAC)
This
month’s MNAC meeting was held on January 18 in the Mayor’s Board Room.
The following is a brief synopsis of what was discussed.
Four
design options for the New Whatcom Waterfront will be presented at a
series of meetings on Jan. 24, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Visit www.newwhatcom.org
for more information.
Nicole
Oliver, communications coordinator for the Planning Department,
explained the Small and Simple Grant program. The deadline for the grant
application is Friday, February 24th.
Information can be found at http://www.cob.org/features/2006-01-10-small-grant.htm.
Marilyn
Vogel, Planning staff, provided information and answered questions on
the Design and Development Code Review and the proposed creation of a
Design Review Board. The Planning Commission met and discussed this and
other proposals on February 16. You can view this and other Planning
Commission notices, agendas and minutes at http://www.cob.org/mayor/boards_commissions/planning/planning.htm.
Chris
Koch, Planning staff, provided information on the Planned Unit
Development code project. This would change the current yes or no approval
of a rezone request to a process with give and take to preserve amenities
of the property such as wetlands, open space, to make pedestrian friendly
and other desired characteristics. Such requests would go to the Hearing
Examiner rather than Council. This PUC code is still in the planning
stage.
Brad
Rose, Edgemoor
Representative to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Council
Association
of Bellingham Neighborhoods
The
Association of Bellingham Neighborhoods (ABN) meets at 7:00 pm on the
fourth Tuesday of each month at Jones-Moles (Woburn @ Lakeway). The next
meeting is on Tuesday, February 28. Meetings are open and the public is
welcome.
In
January, Larry Horowitz represented the ENA at both the regular and
special meeting of the ABN.
Growth-related
issues:
The
ABN has focused its attention on a proposal to tackle Bellingham’s
growth-related concerns, which Mayor Asmundson addressed in his November
21, 2005 press release. This proposal is the work of the Forum ’06
ad-hoc task force that was created by Council Members Joan Beardsley and
Barbara Ryan, along with Ted Mischaikov and Tris Shirley. The Mayor and
Council have agreed on a budget of $500,000 for growth-related projects to
enhance citizen involvement with: 1) the City’s Comprehensive Plan
update, 2) Neighborhood Plan updates, 3) long-term regional planning, and
4) alternative growth management strategies.
At
its January 10 regular meeting, the ABN invited Forum ’06 task force
members Joan Beardsley, Ted Mischaikov and Tris Shirley to update the ABN
on its progress. Task force members agreed that new strategies to manage
growth are needed to address our region’s growth issues and that
communication and trust between the community and the administration must
be re-established. The task force approached the Mayor with their 4-point
plan and convinced Asmundson to provide the necessary funding to achieve
these objectives.
In
a surprise move, on January 11, the administration met with task force
members Joan Beardsley and Barbara Ryan and questioned the legitimacy of
the self-appointed task force. The task force was asked to make a final
recommendation to Council before disbanding. In the meantime, Councilwoman
Beardsley plans to request that the Council’s Planning Committee provide
legitimacy for the Forum ’06 task force by establishing a formal
relationship with the group.
ABN
Resolution re: Neighborhood Plans:
At
its January 25 special meeting, the ABN adopted a Resolution stating its
intent to assume responsibility to assist its member Neighborhood
Associations in updating their Neighborhood Plans and work with the City
in establishing the process, budget, and schedule to do so.
11/21/05
Task Force '06 Press Release: 2006-growth-public-process.pdf.
Coalition
of Southside Neighborhoods
- Fairhaven, Happy Valley, South Hill, South and Edgemoor
The first CSN Meeting of
2006 was held on Jan. 19 at the Fairhaven Library.
To start off 2006 on a
cooperative and educational footing, emphasizing our neighborhoods' common
interests, the Coalition of Southside Neighborhoods (CSN) invited City of
Bellingham Planning Planning and Community Development
Specialist/Communication Coordinator Nicole Oliver to share information
about the Mayor's Small & Simple Neighborhood Matching Grant program.
Nicole answered questions about the grant application process, what the
grants can be used for, what types of neighborhood projects have been
approved in the past, and how/when the applications for these grants will
be accepted.
Following Nicole's
presentation the remaining meeting was spent on current neighborhood news.
The Coalition is interested in knowing what future speakers/presentations
would be most useful and educational for our neighborhoods.
CSN meetings are regularly
scheduled for the third Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. in the
Fairhaven Library Fireplace Room. CSN consists of representatives from 5
Southside Neighborhoods connecting with each other and networking to find
solutions to common issues and concerns.
Mike Botwin and Cathy
McKenzie, CSN Coordinators
ENA
Committee Reports
Communications
Committee
The
Communications Committee put together an informational flyer and sent it
to all Edgemoor residents in January. The committee is also working on a
new meeting sign, since our last sign disappeared several months ago. The
new sign should be ready for the February meeting. The Communications
Committee meets every month to update the website and edit the ENA
newsletter.
Committee
Chair, Kathy Kaiser
Growth
and Land Use Committee
New
Whatcom Concept Designs available for review:
Open
houses planned for Jan. 24, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 will give community members
a chance to review four proposed site design concepts. At these workshops,
project consultants and staff will explain the differences and
similarities among the plans, which show potential sites for parks and
trails, kayak and small boat launches, major roads and bridges and new
habitat areas.
January
24, 7 PM - Bellingham Cruise Terminal
January
31, 7 PM - Bellingham Municipal Court
February
1, 7 PM - Harbor Center Conference Room
For
project details, visit the New Whatcom website at www.newwhatcom.org.
NOTICE
OF APPLICATION AND PUBLIC HEARING - Waldron
Block – 12th and McKenzie
Hearing
originally
scheduled for January
24, 2006 is rescheduled to:
Tuesday,
February 28, 2006, at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers
At
210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, Washington. This hearing will address:
(1)
Designation of the Waldron Building as a local landmark, and (2) proposed
changes to the exterior of this building, a National Register and
(proposed) Local Historic Landmark. Address of proposal: 1308 12th Street,
the NW corner of McKenzie and 12th. Legal Description: Lots 12-16, Block
37, Fairhaven Amended. Applicant: David Ebenal. This proposal is in Area
2B of the Fairhaven Neighborhood. It is zoned Neighborhood Commercial.
The
application and other documents are available for review at the Planning
Department address, below. The staff report and recommendation is
available at the Planning Department approximately one week before the
hearing.
Anyone
wishing to comment on the proposal is invited to attend the hearing or
send written comments. Written comments will be accepted until the close
of the hearing. The Board will make a decision at the hearing. You may
request a copy of the decision and information on your appeal rights.
Send
comments and requests for information to: Jackie Lynch, City of
Bellingham, Planning and Community Development Department, City Hall, 210
Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA98225. (360) 676-6982, FAX 360-738-7306, jlynch@cob.org
The
Historic Preservation Commission will also hold a work session on Tuesday,
February 14, 2006 at 4 p.m. in the Mayor’s Board Room to review the
staff report. This meeting is open to the public but no testimony will be
taken.
All
City Growth and Land Use notices can be found at: http://www.cob.org/cob/Pubnot.nsf
The
latest version of the 'new' comp plan is now available online at
http://cob.org/pcd/planning/growth/comp-update.htm
Committee
Chair, Brad Rose
Hospitality
Committee
The
Hospitality Committee will be meeting soon to plan several fun events for
2006 to give Edgemoor residents an opportunity to gather together and get
to know each other. The committee also provides refreshments for quarterly
neighborhood meetings. If you have ideas for an activity, or would like to
help out on the Hospitality Committee, please contact Laurie
Renne, committee chair.
Membership
In
January ENA mailed over 800 flyers about Edgemoor Neighborhood Association
to all residents in Edgemoor neighborhood. Our 2006 membership drive is
now under way so please show your support by filling out the membership
form and sending your dues. If you did not receive an ENA flyer in
the mail, click
here to print a membership form and send it along with your check,
payable to ENA. Dues are $15 for each voting member. Thanks to those of
you who have already sent your membership forms. Your support and active
participation will help ENA continue to provide news, information and a
friendly forum for discussion of current topics to residents through
mailings, meetings, and on the web.
Sandie
Koplowitz
Neighborhood
Plan Update Committee
The
Edgemoor
Neighborhood Plan was developed 25 years ago and is seriously needs to
be updated. A committee is being formed and volunteers are needed to
update the plan. Please consider joining the committee to help update the
neighborhood plan. Contact Brad Rose,
if you would like to work on the Neighborhood Plan Update
Committee.
Neighborhood
Safety Comittee
Crime
Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
The
Bellingham Police Department is committed to building partnerships with
community members in a variety of ways to keep Bellingham a beautiful and
safe community. We have staff trained in Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) pronounced "sep-ted". We can be a
resource to you before building or remodeling. If our community does not
pay attention to these design principles, we can inadvertently create
environments that are conducive to criminal activity. We would then take
on much more liability concerns than we intended.
The
basic premise of CPTED is the proper design and effective use of the built
environment can lead to a decrease in crime or fear of crime and improve
the quality of life.
There
are three basic overlapping design principles of CPTED: Access Control,
Natural Surveillance and Territorial Reinforcement. These principles can
help create an environment that increases the perception of risk for a
potential offender.
For
a free analysis or more information contact Officer Melissa Locke: (360)
676-6924 or mlocke@cob.org
The
above article is from from the City
of Bellingham website
Check
out the latest issue of Block
Watcher.
Veronica
Douglas, Safety Committee Chair
Edgemoor
Neighborhood Message Board
Please
visit the Neighborhood
Message Board a place for Edgemoor residents to post messages of
interest.
About
www.edgemoorneighborhood.com
The
Edgemoor Neighborhood website provides news and information to Edgemoor
residents, which has several active homeowners' associations and
organizations. Your stories, photos and
feedback are always welcome.
Webmaster,
Sandie Koplowitz
Your
Input is Welcome!
Please
send information to be included on the website or the ENA newsletter.
If
you would like your email address changed, removed or a new one added to
this mailing list, send a request to email
at EdgemoorNeighborhood dot com.
