Bellingham planning committee debates replacing neighborhood plans, prepares to implement House Bill 1110

Council member Michael Lilliquis, chairing the May 5 planning committee, summarized two lengthy work-session items about long-range, citywide planning and residential zoning changes needed to implement House Bill 1110.

Committee members and staff discussed moving from neighborhood-specific plans—some of which are outdated or inconsistent—toward a single, simpler citywide planning framework intended to improve equity, clarity and compliance with state requirements. Staff described the possibility of consolidating roughly 400 zoning designations into fewer categories and ultimately into a single master zoning table, but they cautioned that the conversion would likely be phased and that some neighborhood-specific guidance would remain.

The committee also discussed approaches to changing residential zoning to comply with House Bill 1110, which allows middle housing on residential lots. Topics included minimum densities, maximum lot sizes, tiered versus citywide density patterns, lot-splitting rules, utility service to smaller parcels, impact fees, lot coverage, height and setback rules. The committee answered only two of six staff questions in the work session and flagged many questions for future meetings. Both items were discussion only; no council action was taken.

Council members emphasized the need to preserve meaningful neighborhood input while reducing regulatory complexity. Staff said an interim ordinance enabling middle-housing types would be adopted to meet immediate state timelines, while broader zoning consolidation would proceed as a longer-term project.