Posts Tagged ‘brownfields’
Port of Bellingham Primary August 18
The Primary Election for the Port of Bellingham is August 18th. Two Port Commissioners – Doug Smith and Scott Walker – are up for reelection as discussed in an earlier blog post.
The Port operates the Bellingham Airport, the marinas in Blaine and Bellingham, and is the owner of the majority of the old GP site, which is slated for redevelopment. The Port of Bellingham also receives a portion of all property taxes levied in Whatcom County.
Redevelopment of the Bellingham waterfront is one of the largest brownfield redevelopment projects in North America. The direction the Port takes with regard to this redevelopment will have long lasting ramifications for our community. Thus, this year’s Port Commissioner Elections could not come at a more critical time for Bellingham and Whatcom County.
John Blethen, who is running against Scott Walker in District 1, will bring a practical and reasoned approach to waterfront redevelopment as well as economic development in Whatcom County. John has a history of waterfront involvement and is a longtime local business owner with a great deal of experience and knowledge to offer in regard to waterfront redevelopment and economic development countywide.
Both Doug Karlberg and Michael McAuley, who are running against Dough Smith in District 2, would be good replacements for Smith. Each would bring much needed fresh ideas and critical thinking to this position. Doug Karlberg is a commercial fisherman who understands the need for a working waterfront and for a sustainable economy. Mike McAuley is a neighborhood activist who will bring energy and intelligence to this position.
The culture of the Port has long been one of lack of transparency and lack of responsiveness to economic changes in Whatcom County. New commissioners are needed to bring accountability to the Port and fresh ideas for waterfront redevelopment.
City of Bellingham Releases New Shorelines Plan
The City of Bellingham has released a new draft of its Shoreline Master Program. The City Council will be holding a hearing on this new draft on July 27th.
The Shorelines Master Program (“SMP”) regulates all development and activity within 200 feet of any shoreline area, as well as within floodplains and any wetlands associated with these shorelines and floodplains. The shoreline areas in Bellingham include Bellingham Bay, Lake Whatcom, Lake Padden, Whatcom Creek, and Squalicum Creek. Thus, if you own any property within 200 feet of these water bodies or within any wetlands associated therewith, then your property would be subject to the SMP.
The SMP regulates the type of uses that can be built within shoreline areas, the size of structures (including height), setback, signage, access, etc. Generally, uses are more limited closer to the shoreline and within habitat and other ecologically sensitive areas.
There were numerous hearings and work sessions in 2007 and 2008 before both the Planning Commission and City Council on the draft SMP. The SMP is being reintroduced at at time when the City and Port are working to finalize plans for waterfront redevelopment.
Since much of the former GP site (also known as the Waterfront District) is subject to the SMP, it is likely that both the City and Port want to finalize the shoreline regulations for this area so that a waterfront master plan can be finalized. A new waterfront district master plan will guide development for the entire former GP site.
The Port has submitted an alternative proposal for shorelines within the Waterfront District, which can be found here. The Port’s proposal provides for more specificity in regard to setbacks and other development regulations for the former GP site. The City Council, however, has not yet reviewed the Port’s proposal. This will be a hot topic of discussion at the hearing on the 27th.
Anyone who owns property within a shoreline area or who is interested in the redevelopment of the Waterfront District and other shoreline areas of Bellingham will want to remain updated on this issue.
Big Changes at Port of Bellingham
The Port’s Director, Jim Darling, announced his resignation last week and two port commissioners are up for reelection this fall. John Blethen and Ham Hayes are challenging incumbent Commissioner Scott Walker. Ham Hayes is a local business consultant and former City Council candidate. John Blethen is a local business owner and long time community activist. John has dedicated much time and energy in developing a truly sustainable waterfront vision and he will bring experience and needed leadership to the Port.
Doug Karlberg has announced his candidacy for incumbent Commissioner Doug Smith’s seat. Doug is a longtime commercial fisherman and has long advocated for more public input and transparency in the waterfront planning process. Michael Mcauley, who is very active in neighborhood issues, has also expressed his intent to run against Doug Smith, but he has not yet made a formal announcement. Both Doug and Michael would bring a fresh perspective to redevelopment of the waterfront.
Redevelopment of the former GP site, presents the biggest development opportunity and challenge in Bellingham’s history and likely its near future. What has been missing in this process is a cohesive vision that balances the desire of the community to retain Bellingham’s unique character and create a more accessible waterfront with the need for real economic development in the area. Hopefully, a change in both the elected leadership of the Port as well as the administration will bring fresh thinking and leadership and will, most importantly, keep the process moving along so that redevelopment can occur in our lifetimes.