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Commission issues Order of Conditions for Lakeshore Drive waterline and stormwater upgrades
Summary
After reviewing design revisions, the commission approved an Order of Conditions for waterline replacement and stormwater improvements on Lakeshore Drive, with perpetual O&M, pre-construction IFC submission, and on-site monitoring required.
The Bellingham Conservation Commission on Jan. 14 closed the public hearing and issued an Order of Conditions for the Lakeshore Drive, Indian Run Road and Bernier Lane water-line replacement and associated stormwater improvements.
Jean Christie, principal with the applicants’ engineering consultant, told the commission the work is a linear water-line replacement with some drainage changes. She described limited material stockpiling and seasonal dewatering: geoprobes from September had encountered groundwater around 4–9 feet and water lines are typically installed about 5 feet deep; any pumped groundwater will be passed through filter bags and discharged in upland areas wherever possible.
Christie said the design pushes drainage structures further from the bank to reduce resource-area impacts and includes a proprietary stormwater quality unit sized to treat expected flows. She confirmed an O&M plan is part of the stormwater submission and that DPW sign-off is required; commissioners clarified they expect the O&M to be recorded as a perpetual condition if the project is approved.
Commissioners asked for construction controls: a pre-construction meeting with staff, a copy of the issued IFC before construction begins, and on-site monitoring for work in or next to resource areas. The commission also discussed restoration specifics (headwall decommissioning and culvert wildlife checks) and flagging of wetland limits during construction.
A motion to close the hearing and issue the Order of Conditions passed on a roll-call vote. Staff will issue the signed Order of Conditions and circulate it to the applicant and DPW.
Why it matters: The project repairs aging water infrastructure and upgrades stormwater treatment in areas that abut wetlands; the commission attached conditions intended to protect wetland functions during construction and ensure long-term maintenance of stormwater devices.
Next steps: Applicant to receive signed Order of Conditions, schedule a pre-construction meeting, provide the IFC and coordinate on-site monitoring procedures with DPW and commission staff.
