Bellingham Planning Commission April 30, 2009 Nicole Oliver, Communications Coordinator Tim Stewart, PCD Director

Bellingham Planning Commission April 30, 2009 Nicole Oliver, Communications Coordinator Tim Stewart, PCD Director

Goal: create new and better options for infill other than apartment buildings Increase achieved density versus planned density underlying density will continue to apply Make more efficient use of remaining land Proposed for use in transition areas around urban centers and in current MF zones For future addition to SF zones, proposal must be Areawide; otherwise will require a NPA When a conflict occurs with existing codes, the Toolkit rules apply

Introduced these forms at Planning Academy II: Achieving Infill; Enhancing Character Issued original draft August 2008 Staff worked with other departments issued final draft February 11 th Town Hall meeting held March 16 th Multiple neighborhood and board presentations Planning Commission Hearing 4/16/09

Height limit of 25 feet (versus current 35 feet in SF zones) Better landscaping and design requirements Smaller units are more energyefficient and affordable Uses existing infrastructure and services. Supports transit and creates new housing in closer proximity to jobs, retail and services.

Small and smaller lot Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADU) Duplex/Triplex Carriage House

Garden Courtyard Townhouse Shared Courtyard Cottage

1 parking space per unit for Cottage, Detached ADU, Carriage, Duplex/Triplex 1 space for units up to 1,000 sf and additional stall for units over 1,000 sf for Small Lot, Smaller Lot, Courtyard and Townhomes Alley access preferred Tandem Parking allowed (interior or exterior) Parking set back to prevent snout houses

New scoring system requiring landscaping and lowimpact development (LID) techniques Proposed for addition to the existing Landscaping Code Encouraged for use in Courtyard Housing (FAR bonus) Required for use in Townhouse Proposed for use in Urban Villages May be added to Commercial uses

Submit Rezone Application Initiation by Director, PC, or Council Pre-Application Neighborhood Meeting 60-Day notice to CTED SEPA Review Public Notice 30 days prior to PC Hearing PC Hearing & Recommendation Public Notice 30 days prior to City Council Hearing Council Public Hearing & Decision Ordinance in effect 15 days after passage

Submit Application by December 1 st of previous year Docketing by Director, PC, or Council Full Application & Fees submitted Pre-Application Neighborhood Meeting 60-Day notice to CTED SEPA Review Public Notice 30 days prior to PC Hearing PC Hearing & Recommendation Public Notice 30 days prior to City Council Hearing Council Public Hearing & Decision by end of year or postponed to following year Ordinance in effect 15 days after passage

Example: Rezone of southern part of York Area 5 to add DADU and Carriage Houses would require NPA to create a new Area boundary 5B

Example: Rezone all of South Area 5 to allow Small Lot

2006: 16 cases - 14 resolved - 1 pending - 1 in COP status 2007: 4 cases - 4 resolved 2008: 5 cases - 3 resolved - 1 pending - 1 COP 2009: 4 cases - 1 resolved - 2 pending - 1 COP

2006: 56 cases - 44 resolved - 8 pending - 3 voided - 1 COP 2007: 30 cases - 23 resolved - 7 pending 2008: 39 cases - 20 resolved - 14 pending - 5 COP 2009: 14 cases - 1 resolved - 11 pending - 2 COP

1. Applicability in single-family zones Option 1: delete last sentence in 20.28.020.A Option 2: allow the Toolkit in all residential areas except Neighborhood Commercial and Lake Whatcom Watershed Option 3: Clarify that to add to SF requires a rezone and must be Area-wide, or would require a Neighborhood Plan Amendment Other options: Compromise on which forms could be allowed in SF? Only allow Toolkit in transition zones? Pilot or demonstration projects first?

2. Clarify name of Small & Smaller Lot 3. Reduce alley backup requirement 4. Reduce side street parking setbacks 5. Garden Court open space dimensions 6. Garden Court parking 7. Townhouse height limits 8. Green Factor structured soils

Add reference to 20.26 to ensure Fairhaven and City Center Design guidelines will apply Clarify that notice will be to entire neighborhood area(s) PLUS 500 feet for any rezone proposal Views can be considered via SEPA Pre-application meeting will be required

Hold Public Hearing Work through Issues May 14 th work session to review changes Recommendations by Planning Commission to City Council City Council holds Public Hearing Final City Council action anticipated by June