HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket Special Council May 21 2025pM °op
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
COUNCILMEMBERS
Cathy Halka, AICP, CIVIC
3ZP y�
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Todd Donovan
311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105
Ben Elenbaas
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
`y 0
Kaylee Galloway
(360) 778-5010
IN
Jon Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremler
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the Whatcom County Council will attend
and participate in the Growth Management Coordination — Workshop for
Elected Officials on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
at the Ferndale City Hall Annex, 5694 Second Avenue, Ferndale. This is a hybrid
meeting with both in -person and remote participation.
During this meeting, discussion will include the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS).
Please see the attached agenda for more details, including a remote participation
join link.
For more information, please contact the County Council Office at 360.778.5010.
Notice Distribution Date: May 7, 2025
Whatcom County
Council (Special)
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
2PM
Hybrid Meeting - Ferndale City Hall Annex (Municipal Court) 5694
Second Avenue, Ferndale WA
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND A GROWTH
MANAGEMENT COORDINATION WORK SESSION FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
- A QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL MAY ATTEND THIS EVENT
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Kaylee Galloway
Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremler
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC
Council (Special) Meeting Agenda May 21, 2025
Call To Order
Roll Call
Discussion
AB2024-312 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update and UGA Review
Adjournment
Whatcom County Pure 2 Printed on 712212025
City/County Elected Officials Meeting
Growth Management Coordination - 2025 Update
Agenda
May 21, 2025
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Ferndale City Hall Annex
5694 Second Avenue, Ferndale
(virtual option also provided) 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
3. Discussion - Elected Officials and Staff
4. Next Meeting, Wednesday September 17
5. Wrap-up and Adjourn
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File ID: AB2024-312
File Created: 05/02/2024
Department: Council Office
Assigned to: Council (Special)
Agenda Date: 02/20/2025
Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2024-312
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Version: 1 Status: Discussed
Entered by: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
File Type: Discussion
Primary Contact Email: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
2025 Comprehensive Plan Update and UGA Review
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See attached agenda and letter.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Final Action: 02/20/2025
Enactment #:
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
05/08/2024 Council (Special) DISCUSSED
08/02/2024 Council (Special) DISCUSSED
Attachments: Executive Letter to Elected Officials 10.11.2023, Elected Officials Meeting Agenda 5.8.2024,
SEPA Presentation 5.8.2024, HB 1220-HAPT Presentation 5.8.2024, Population and Employment
Presentation 5.8.2024, Elected Officials Meeting Agenda 8.2.2024, Elected Officials Meeting
Agenda 8 29 2024, Elected Officals Meeting - Presentation 8 29 2024, Elected Officials Meeting
Agenda 9 11 2024, Elected Officials Meeting Agenda 12.4.2024, Presentation 12.4.2024
(Non -Binding Resolution), Presentation 12.4.2024 (Housing), Presentation 12.4.2024 (EIS),
Elected Officials Meeting Agenda 1.23.2025, Elected Officials Meeting Agenda 2.20.2025, Elected
Officials Meeting Agenda 5.21.2025
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 7/22/2025
I WWHATCOM
To: Honorable City Mayors, City Managers, and City Council Members
Honorable County Council Members
From: Satpal Singh Sidhu, County Executive
Date: October 11, 2023
Subject: 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update and UGA Review
The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Whatcom County and the seven cities
within the County to update our comprehensive plans and review urban growth areas
by June 30, 2025. The GMA expects the County and cities to work cooperatively in
this endeavor, and it is to our advantage to do so. That is why each interlocal
agreement for planning, annexation and development signed in 2022 includes a
clause that the County Executive may convene a group of elected officials from the
County and cities to discuss and review issues associated with growth management
planning.
It is critical to coordinate planning efforts between the County and cities for this
important endeavor. Therefore, I am inviting elected officials from the County and
the cities to a series of informal meetings to discuss matters relating to growth
planning and the urban growth area review. The 1st meeting date and location is:
• Wednesday November 8, 2023 - Lynden City Hall, 300 4th Street, Lynden
at 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. (this will be a hybrid meeting, so a virtual option will be
provided).
I am requesting that each city and the County Council provide representation at
these meetings. The purpose of the meetings will be to engage in discussions,
come to mutual understanding of the goals and issues of each jurisdiction, and
coordinate land use planning activities. However, there will not be voting or final
decisions made at these meetings. Rather, elected officials will take the
information back to their respective jurisdictions for consideration in their own
decision making processes. While there is no set number of representatives from
each jurisdiction, it must be less than a quorum of the legislative body.
Thank you for considering my invitation and I hope to see representatives from
each city and the County Council at these meetings. Staff will send out a meeting
agenda prior to the meeting.
Sincerely,
Satpal Singh Sidhu
County Executive
311 Grand Avenue Bellingham WA, 98225 (360) 778-5200 ssidhu@whatcomcounty.us
City/County Elected Officials Meeting
Growth Management Coordination - 2025 Update
Agenda
May 8, 2024
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie Street
Mayor's Boardroom in Mayor's office on 2nd floor
(virtual option also provided)
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Population and Employment Growth Projections
3. Housing: House Bill 1220 and Housing for All Planning Tool
4. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - Status update
5. Discussion - Elected Officials and Staff
6. Next Meeting, Wednesday September 11
7. Wrap-up and Adjourn
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Photo Credit: Rich Stratm�
EIS Update I May 8, 2024
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SEPA Process
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Notice of
Intent and
Scoping
• 30-day Public
Comment
Period
• Scoping
Summary
II Draft EIS
Preparation
• Definition of
Alternatives
• Existing
Conditions
• Impact
Evaluation
• Mitigation
Strategies
DEIS
Publication
• 30-day Public
Comment
Period
• Public Hearing
Final EIS
• Definition of
Preferred
Alternative
• Impact Evaluation
• Proposed
Mitigation
• Response to
Comments
• County Adoption
• The kin-artinn Altprnativr would assume that the existing Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan and growth projections are carried forward, which
represents a lower growth option (275,450 total County population in 2045).
• Alternative 1 would use the Washington State Office of Financial Management
(OFM) medium population projection (292,714 total County population in
2045) and allocate growth to each UGA and the area outside the UGAs using
recent historic population shares.
• Alternative 2 would use a population projection and allocations to each UGA
and the area outside the UGAs requested by the cities and County.
• Alternative 3 would use a higher population projection than both the OFM
medium projection and the population projection requested by the cities and
County for 2045 and allocate growth to each UGA and the area outside the
UGAs similar to the growth allocations requested by the cities and County.
• Alternatives may include, where appropriate, changes to land use/zoning
designations, residential densities, and/or urban growth area boundaries to
accommodate projected housing and employment growth through the year
2045.
• SEPA required element for baseline evaluation
• Areas of the environment included in the EIS:
• Earth
• Air Quality/Climate
• Water Resources
• Plants and Animals
• Land and Shoreline Use
• Plans and Policies
• Population, Housing, and Employment
• Environmental Justice
• Cultural Resources
• Transportation
• Public Services and Utilities
• Input from County departments on existing issues
ill
Ah
Croce
Complete impact analysis/comparison of the alternatives and
mitigation strategy development.
Publication of the Draft EIS for public comment is anticipated
in early fall of 2024.
Public hearing on the Draft EIS --
Publication of the Final EIS is anticipated in the first quarter of r
2025. f•
Topic -Specific
Citizen
Advisory
Committees
Project
Kickoff
Orientation
Interviews
Interactive
Community
Survey
Regional Pop -
Ups and
Workshops
Planning
Commission
Meetings
County
Council
Meetings
Draft E I S
Release
Open House: Plan
Recommendations
Final EIS
Planning
Planning
Planning
Commission Work
Commission
Commission
Sessions,
Meetings
L
Meetings
J
Hearings, and
Recommendations)
County
County
County Council
Council
Council
Meetings,
Meetings
Meetings
Hearings and
J
L
Adoption
Non -binding multi -
jurisdictional
resolution regarding
allocation of growth
to UGAs
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Project Website
me
Project Contacts
Matt Aamot
Senior Planner
Whatcom County
2025Update(D-co.whatcom.wa.us
360.778.5939
Sharese Graham (Consultant)
Senior Environmental Planner
SCJ Alliance Consulting Services
bill._ riq imes(aD-scjalliance.com
509.835.3770
nttps://www.wnatcomcounty.us/4218/2025-Comprehensive-Plan-Updates
Photo Credit: Rich Stratm�
City/County Elected Officials Meeting I May 8, 2024
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HB 1220 amended the GMA in 2021 to require that jurisdictions
186 "plan for and accommodate housing affordable to all economic
segments of the population of the state"
Additionally, RCW 36.70A.070(2) now requires that Commerce
project housing needs including "units for moderate, low, very
low, and extremely low-income households and emergency
housing, emergency shelters and permanent supportive housing."
FH HAPT generates total Countywide need based on population
projections. County then allocates units to jurisdictions by income
band (as a % of Area Median Income)
Jurisdictions must show land capacity to accommodate the units
0; through zoning, and document potential barriers to production
and racially disparate impacts in housing policy.
Further details in
HB 1220 Book 1:
Establishing
Housing Targets
for your
Community and
HB 1220 Book 2:
Guidance for
Updating Your
Housing Element
https://deptofcommerc
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• Excel tool developed by Commerce
• Housing units categorized by the income bands that
they could potentially serve
• Income expressed as a % of Area Median Income (AMI),
HUD's measurement of family income adjusted for household
size (1.34) — standard income measurement for subsidized
housing eligibility.
• Whatcom County AMI: $102,600
• Tool projects net new units needed by 2045 based on
OFM population projections:
• 2020 baseline units categorized by income band that
they serve.
• Data from Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy and
Public Unit Microdata Sample (HUD/Census datasets)
• New units needed broken down by income band
accounting for several categories of need:
ousing for
baseline
I
omeless
population
• Emergency Housing and Permanent Supportive
Housing needs determined using Monte Carlo model
• Many factors, including disability rate, evictions, incarceration rate, number of
one -person households, severe rent -burden, receipt of cash benefits,
unemployment, current estimate of homelessness based on the point -in -time
count and a number of other data sources.
• Full methodology on pp. 43-58 of Book 1.
FA
Select a Projection Year
2045 1 ✓
• Initial Whatcom County housing baseline and net new
units needed based on OFM Medium Projection:
Table 1: OFM GMA Population Projections, 2045
Whatcom County Projected Population, 2045
Low Medium High
Projected Population (2045) 258,231 292,714 337,551
Table 2: Projected Countywide Housing Needs Based on User Inputs
Whatcom County Affordability Level (% of Area Median Income)
pulation Target = 292,714
Total Non-PSH PSH 30-50% 50-80% 80-100% 100-120% 120%+
al Future Housing Needed (2045) 130,841 11,062 3,836 15,955 28,123 16,778 14,015 41,072
mated Housing Supply (2020)* 95,217 2,996 404 9,108 24,150 14,457 11,771 32,331
t New Housing Needed (2020-2045) 35,624 8,066 3,432 6,847 3,973 2,321 2,244 8,741
lote: Supply of PSH in 2020 is beds. However, projections of Net New Housing Needed (2020-2045) are in housing units. See Overview tab for details.
• Baseline units updated by Leland Consulting Group
(LCG) from Commerce -generated 2020 baseline to
2023 using permit data from cities and the County
Emergency
Housing/Shelter
i
Beds
i
1,295
i
775
i
520
2023 Revised Baseline by UGA
Bellingham Total
Bellingham City
Bellingham Unincorporated UGA
Birch Bay Unincorporated UGA
Blaine Total
Blaine City
Blaine Unincorporated UGA
Cherry Point Unincorporated UGA
Columbia Valley Unincorporated UGA
Everson Total
Everson City
Everson Unincorporated UGA
Ferndale Total
Ferndale City
Ferndale Unincorporated UGA
Lynden Total
Lynden City
Lynden Unincorporated UGA
Nooksack Total
Nooksack City
Nooksack Unincorporated UGA
Sumas Total
Sumas City
Sumas UGA
LAMIRDS
Area Outside UGAs and LAMIRDS
Total
0-30%
Emergency
% of Total
Total
Non-PSH
PSH
> 30-50%
> 50-80% >
80-100% > 100-120%
> 120%
Housing Needs
49.8%
47,564
1,207
586
4,119
16,782
6,400
5,029
13,442
693
45.6%
43,575
1,137
586
3,767
15,503
6,016
4,539
12,027
693
4.2%
3,989
70
0
352
1,279
384
490
1,415
0
5.6%
5,322
197
0
975
1,292
1,155
425
1,278
0
3.9%
3,746
169
0
246
728
918
401
1,284
0
3.7%
3,548
158
0
230
681
900
374
1,205
0
0.2%
198
11
0
16
47
18
27
79
0
0.0%
6
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
1.6%
1,541
153
0
432
727
38
28
163
0
1.1 %
1,085
30
0
120
371
207
81
277
0
1.1 %
1,053
29
0
116
359
201
78
270
0
0.0%
32
1
0
4
12
6
3
7
0
6.3%
5,980
203
0
568
1,385
915
694
2,216
0
6.1%
5,818
197
0
552
1,346
889
674
2,160
0
0.2%
162
6
0
16
39
26
20
56
0
6.9%
6,576
76
0
328
1,462
1,175
922
2,614
0
6.8%
6,521
75
0
325
1,451
1,165
914
2,591
0
0.1 %
55
1
0
3
11
10
8
23
0
0.6%
546
0
0
29
150
140
51
175
0
0.6%
542
0
0
29
149
139
51
174
0
0.0%
4
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0.7%
701
30
0
83
272
168
58
90
0
0.7%
701
30
0
83
272
168
58
90
0
0.0%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.9%
9,407
335
0
853
990
1,471
1,459
4,299
12
23.5%
22,410
797
0
2,032
2,369
3,508
3,476
10,228
70
100.0%
95,477
2,862
586
8,933
25,538
14,626
11,164
31,768
763
• HAPT Tool allocates housing units by income band to
Cities and unincorporated County areas
• LCG modified tool to allocate units to:
• Cities + UGAs
• Unincorporated UGAs (Birch Bay and Columbia Valley)
• Limited areas of more intensive rural development (LAMIRDS)
• Rural/Resource Land Areas (Outside LAMIRDS and UGAs)
• Counties can choose method of allocation:
• Commerce baseline method (Method "A") allocates an equal
share of new units at each income band to each jurisdiction
• Commerce is in the process of updating this methodology to
reflect specific considerations of low-income units in rural
areas
a
P.A
• Commerce "Guidance for Updating Your
Housing Element" broadly connects income
bands to housing types.
Exhibit 12. Example of relating zone categories to housing types and income levels
served in moderate -cost communities
Low Density
Detached single family homes
Higher income
(>120 ro AMI)
Moderate Density
Townhomes, duplex, triplex,
Moderate
income (�-80-
quadplex
120%AMI)
Low -Rise Multifamily
Walk-up apartments, condominiums
Low income
(2-3-floors)
(� 50-80% AMI)
Mid -Rise Multifamily Apartments, condominiums Low income
(�-50-80 % AMI)
ADUs (all nines) Accessory Dwelling Units on Low income
developed residential lots 1 (>50-80°6 AMI)
* See discussion in 32 below.
Not typically feasible Higher income (5120%
at scale* I AMI)
Not typically feasible Moderate Income
at scalc I (>80-120% AMI)
Extremely low and
Low income (0-80%
Very low income (0-
50% AMI)
AMI) and PSH
Extremely low and
Very low income (0-
Low income (0-80%
50% AM])
AMI) and PSH
Low income (>50-80%
NIA AMI) - Group with
Low -Rise and/or Mid -
Rise Multifamily
O
Method A - Equal Share of Countywide Income Band to All Jurisdictions
% of Total Total
Countywide Net New Units 2023-2045 31,334
Share of Countywide Net New Units 2023-2045 100%
Bellingham City & UGA
Birch Bay UGA
Blaine City & UGA
Cherry Point UGA
Columbia Valley UGA
Everson City & UGA
Ferndale City & UGA
Lynden City & UGA
Nooksack City & UGA
Sumas City & UGA
LAMIRDs
Area Outside UGAs and LAMIRDS
Total
% of Total Total
49.7% 15,570
3.0%
931
4.5%
1,408
0.0%
0
1.5%
470
1.4%
449
9.8%
3,055
11.0%
3,448
0.6%
194
1.6%
495
5.7%
1,771
11.3%
3,543
100.0% 31,334
0-30%
Non-PSH
PSH
>30-50%
>50-80%
>80-100%
>100-120%
>120%
8,055
3,250
6,652
2,155
1,514
2,218
7,490
26%
10%
21%
7%
5%
7%
24%
0-30%
Non-PSH
PSH
>30-50%
>50-80%
>80-100%
>100-120%
>120%
4,002
1,615
3,305
1,071
752
1,102
3,722
239
97
198
64
45
66
223
362
146
299
97
68
100
336
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
121
49
100
32
23
33
112
115
47
95
31
22
32
107
785
317
649
210
148
216
730
886
358
732
237
167
244
824
50
20
41
13
9
14
46
127
51
105
34
24
35
118
455
184
376
122
86
125
423
911
367
752
244
171
251
847
8,055
3,250
6,652
2,155
1,514
2,218
7,490
Emergency
)using Needs
520
Emergency
)usina Needs
258
15
23
0
8
7
51
57
3
8
29
59
520
Method A (Adjusted for Rural Areas to SO% AMI)
Bellingham City & UGA
Birch Bay UGA
Blaine City & UGA
Cherry Point UGA
Columbia Valley UGA
Everson City & UGA
Ferndale City & UGA
Lynden City & UGA
Nooksack City & UGA
Sumas City & UGA
LAMIRDs
Area Outside UGAs and LAMIRDS
Total
0-30%
Emergency
% of
>30-
>50-
Housing
Total
Total
Non-PSH
PSH
50%
80% >80-100%>100-120%
>120%
Needs
49.7%
15,570
4,820
1,945
3,980
777
546
800
2,701
311
3.0%
931
288
116
238
46
33
48
162
19
4.5%
1,408
436
176
360
70
49
72
244
28
0.0%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1.5%
470
146
59
120
23
16
24
82
9
1.4%
449
139
56
115
22
16
23
78
9
9.8%
3,055
946
382
781
153
107
157
530
61
11.0%
3,448
1,068
431
882
172
121
177
598
69
0.6%
194
60
24
50
10
7
10
34
4
1.6%
495
153
62
126
25
17
25
86
10
5.7%
1,771
0
0
0
285
200
294
992
0
11.3%
3,543
0
0
0
571
401
587
1,984
0
100%
31,334
8,055
3,250
6,652
2,155
1,514
2,218
7,490
520
County and Cities refining housing allocations
Land Capacity Analysis test run
• Definition from RCW 36.70A.030
• "Permanent supportive housing" is subsidized, leased housing with no limit on
length of stay that prioritizes people who need comprehensive support services
to retain tenancy and utilizes admissions practices designed to use lower
barriers to entry than would be typical for other subsidized or unsubsidized
rental housing, especially related to rental history, criminal history, and personal
behaviors. Permanent supportive housing is paired with on -site or off -site
voluntary services designed to support a person living with a complex and
disabling behavioral health or physical health condition who was experiencing
homelessness or was at imminent risk of homelessness prior to moving into
housing to retain their housing and be a successful tenant in a housing
arrangement, improve the resident's health status, and connect the resident of
the housing with community -based health care, treatment, or employment
services. Permanent supportive housing is subject to all of the rights and
responsibilities defined in chapter 59.18 RCW.
Photo Credit: Rich Stratm�
Elected Officials I May 8, 2024
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• The State of Washington OFM makes demographic
projections at the state and county level
• Statewide and Whatcom County forecasts both
assume decreasing average annual % growth in future
years
Whatcom Average Annual Growth Rates (OFM Middle)
3.50% 3.3%
3.00%
2.50%
�2 2% 2.1%
2.00%
1.7%
1.50% §*§.=
1.00%
0001
0.50%
0.00%
1995 2000 2005 2010
1.5%
1.2% 1.1%
1.0% 0.9% .. ............0:9% ..0.9%...0.8%
2015 2020 p2025 p2030 p2035 p2040 p2045 p2050
• The fundamental dynamics behind that assumption are
decreasing birth rates in the face of increasing death
rates.
5-yr Births &
Deaths as a Pct.
of Population
8.0%
7.5%
7.1%
7.0%
.5%
6.1% 6.0%
6.0% 5.7%
5.2%
OFM Middle
Scenario Projections
5.5% 5.6%
5.2% 5.2% 51
♦births �/
5.0%
♦deaths 4.8%
4.9% 5.0% 4.9%
4.0%
3.9% 3.8%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
0.0%
1990 1995 2000
4.4%
4.1%
3.9% 3.7/° ° 3.7%
actual (estimated) projected
2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
O
• OFM assumes a relatively steady, but conservative net
migration rate going forward
5-year Net
16%
13.9%
Migration as %
14%
of Population
12%
OFM Middle
Scenario Projections
10%
8.7 %
8%
°
6.9%
7.4%
6%
6.S%
4%
i 5.2 " 4.6% 4•9% 5.0% 4.8%
z%
2.5%
actual
(estimated)
;projected
0%
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
2015 2020
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
• Updates to countywide population and employment
growth projections — and allocations of that growth to
UGAs — generally followed methods used in the 2016
Comprehensive Plan Update.
• Review of OFM Middle projections for population, 2023 to 2045
• Revision of Low and High ranges -- general tightening to make
extremes more actionable for jurisdictions' planning purposes
• As with 2016, the OFM Low range was deemed too
conservative relative to historical growth
• OFM High range projection was also adjusted -- but not as
much, to remain conservative for infrastructure planning (i.e.
avoiding risk of under -building infrastructure in the face of
higher -than -expected growth pressure).
• Baseline (Middle) growth
trajectory is tapering
as
natural increase declines
and region depends
more
on net migration inflows.
Population
350,000
—
•
337,551
— — — OFM, High
dodO'0
321,702
300,000 • • • • • Adj. High
. •
—OFM, Middle
.•`*
292,714
@ @see Adj. Low
. • ; * # * . •
*
274,065
250,000 •OFM, Low
226,855 • + •' # + *
i
258,231
H istorical
200,000
OFM High is further from Middle than Low is.
150,000 We preserve that relationship but tighten the
range for both (via adjustments to the more
volatile migration rate assumptions).
100,000
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 p2025 p2030 p2035 p2040 p2045
• After settling on a countywide growth trajectory and
high/low range, we allocated overall population gains
to UGAs
• Based on shares of recent (10-year) growth within
each UGA boundary (and areas outside UGAs as a
rural/resource lands category)
UGA
Bellingham
Birch Bay
Blaine
Cherry Point
Columbia Valley
Everson
Ferndale
Lynden
Nooksack
Areas outside UG
Total
Share of County
Growth 2013 to
Population
Pop.2013
Pop.2023
2023 ID
2023
92,915
105,529
12,614
44.8%
7,698
8,908
1,210
3.8%
5,277
6,728
1,451
2.9%
35
61
26
0.0%
3,060
3,577
517
1.5%
2,683
3,171
488
1.3 %
12,962
16,762
3,800
7.1 %
13,208
16,696
_ 3,487
7.1 %
1,389
1,573
184
0.7%
1,445
1,810
365
0.8%
65,349
70,985
5,637
30.1%
207,937
235,800
29,779
100.0%
'Share of 10-yr.
County Growth
42.4 %
4.1%
4.9%
0.1 %
1.7%
1.6%
12.8%
11.7%
0.6%
1.2 %
18.9%
1
• Distributing shares for each of the scenario/ranges:
Allocation qj
UGA Share
Bellingham
Birch Bay
Blaine
Cherry Point
Columbia Valley
42.5%
4.1%
4.9%
-
Everson
Ferndale
Lynden
Nooksack
Sumas
Areas outside UGAs
Total Population
Growth
1.6%
12.8%
11.7%
0.6%
1.2%
18.9%
100%
Allocated Growth by Scenario
(2023 to 2045)
NFL-
MWA
High
16,242
24,158
36,462
1,555
2,313
3,490
1,865
2,774
4,186
665
988
1,492
627
933
1,408
4,883
7,262
10,961
4,481
6,665
10,060
237
352
531
468
697
1,052
7,243
10,773
16,260
38,265
56,914
85,902
employment GrowtA
• After looking at historical small area employment by
industry, GIS-matched to UGA boundaries
• We computed shares
by industry
type
(in
broad groups
of Industrial, Retail, Commercial,
Resources) and
by
UGA to guide allocation across UGAs:
Middle Scenario UGA
Resources Industrial
Retail
Comm'I
Total
Bellingham
138
2,820
1,841
10,373
15,172
Birch Bay
0
22
10
92 _
124
Blaine
4
327
48
322
701
Cherry Point
0
450
0
43
493
Columbia Valley
0
6
3
4 _
13
Everson
10
88
24
81
203
Ferndale
19
961
201
961
2,141
Lynden
20
606
183
991
1,799
Nooksack
0
29
7
44
79
Sumas
2
98
8
43
150
Area outside UGAs
736
927
172
1,567
3,403
Whatcom Total
928
6,333
2,497
14,521
24,279
hoFeE"'N�y City of Bellingham
"�3 City Council Special Meeting Agenda
�/i4SH-�' August 2, 2024, 1:00 PM
Mayor: Kimberley Lund Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org
Council Members: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org
Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael https://cob.org/council
Lilliquist and Jace Cotton
Legislative Assistant: Jackie Lassiter
Members of the public wishing to view the meeting in person may do so in the Mayor's Boardroom on the
second floor of City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA. This will be a hybrid meeting with remote access
available via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting remotely, use the following information:
Click here to ioin the meeting
Meeting ID: 223 032 587 622
Passcode: dil-629
Or call in (audio only)
+1 929-352-1870 Phone conference ID: 181 177 107#
Coll to Order
24195 1. Growth Management Coordination Workgroup p. 2
Adjournment
Accessibility
The Mayor's Boardroom is fully accessible. Elevator access to the second floor is available at City Hall's west
entrance. Hearing assistance is available, and a receiver may be checked out through the Mayor's reception
desk. For additional accommodations, contact the Legislative Assistant at 778-8200 in advance of the meeting.
°op
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
P�GOM
COUNCILMEMBERS
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC
31' ?'�
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Todd Donovan
311 Grand Avenue, Suite #1o5
Ben Elenbaas
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
ty
0
QS},IN'�
Ka Ylee Galloway
(360)778-5010
Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremler
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the Whatcom County Council will attend
and participate in the Growth Management Coordination — Workshop for
Elected Officials on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Lynden City
Hall Annex (Council Chambers), 205 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264. This is a
hybrid meeting with both in -person and remote participation. Please see the
agenda below including remote participation join link.
Growth Management Workshop Agenda
August 29, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Lynden City Hall Annex (Council Chambers)
205 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 210 172 803 726
Passcode: pbGgBf
1. Introductions (5 minutes)
2. A brief overview of the UGAs in the county by Scott Korthuis (5 minutes)
a. UGA planning moderated by Greg Hansen (20 minutes)
3. A brief overview of industry and jobs in the county by Scott Korthuis (5 minutes)
a. Industrial growth planning moderated by Tyler Schroeder (20 minutes)
4. A brief overview of agriculture in the county by Scott Korthuis (5 minutes)
a. Agricultural planning moderated by Ben Elenbaas (20 minutes)
5. Open session to take public comment on the Whatcom County Comprehensive
plan (2 minutes per person)
6. What's next (5 minutes)
For more information, please contact the County Council Office at 360.778.5010.
Notice Distribution Date: August 26, 2024
Growth Management
and Comprehensive Planning
Meeting of Elected Officials from Whatcom County
August 29, 2024
1:00 Lynden City Hall Annex
Bellingham City Limits
and UGA
City Limits: 18,048 acres
(excludes 1487 acres of water)
2023 Population: 95,960
Density: 5.3 people per acre
UGA Area: 4,934 acres
Data Source: City area and maps from October 2020 data set from
geo.wa.gov/datasets/
CITY -NM: Bellingham
Blaine City Limits and UGA
ords:615 ' CANADA
City Limits: 3,571 acres
(excludes 1,964 acres of
2023 Population: 6,310
Density: 1.8 people per acre
UGA Area: 499 acres
Data Source: City area and maps from October 2020
data set from geo.wa.gov/datasets/
Everson City Limits and UGA
City Limits: 8864acres
(excludes 19 acres of water)
2023 Population: 3,135
Density: 3.6 people per acre
CITY —NM: Everson
UGA Area: 413 acres
Data Source: City area and maps from October 2020
data set from geo.wa.gov/datasets/
Ferndale City Limits
and UGA
City Limits: 4,499 acres
(excludes 64 acres of water)
2023 Population: 16,330
Density: 3.6 people per acre
UGA Area: 1,436 acres
Data Source: City area and maps from October 2020 data set from
geo.wa.gov/datasets/
CITY —NM- Ferndale
Lynden City Limits and UGA
City Limits: 3,475 acres
(excludes 13 acres of water)
2023 Population: 16,520
Density: 4.8 people per acre
UGA Area: 535 acres
Data Source: City area and maps from October 2020 data
set from geo.wa.gov/datasets/
e3
�Lp
Nooksack City Limits and UGA
City Limits: 557 acres
(no acres of water)
2023 Population: 1,560
Density: 2.8 people per acre
UGA Area: 0 acre
Data Source: City area and maps from October 2020
data set from geo.wa.gov/datasets/
_�.. C I
CITY NM; Nooksack
Sumas City Limits and UGA
CAMAD A
City Limits: 941 acres
(no acres of water)
2023 Population: 1,810
Density: 1.9 people per acre
UGA Area: 27 acres
Data Source: City area and maps from October 2020 data set
from geo.wa.gov/datasets/
City
Acres
Acres
Acres
Population
Pop/Acre
UGA Area in UGA
Bellingham
191526
18,048
11478
95,960
5.3
410934 37,108
Blaine
5,517
31,571
1,946
610310
1.8
499
Everson
883
864
19
310135
3.6
413
Ferndale
4,563
4,499
64
16,330
3.6
11436
Lynden
3,488
3,475
13
16,520
4.8
535 182
Nooksack
557
557
-
1,560
2.8
-
Sumas
941
941
-
1,810
1.9
27
Data Source Population in UGA: WA City Population in Urban Growth Area (2020
WA OFM
Growth
Projected Growth
Whatcom County
2013
2023
Total
2013-2023
Annualized
2045
Total
2023-2045
Annualized
Bellingham
82,148
95,960
131812
16.8%
1.6%
1321422
361462
27.5%
1.5%
Blaine
4,886
6,310
11424
29.1%
2.6%
10,496
41186
39.9%
2.3%
Everson
21557
31135
578
22. 6%
2.1%
41543
11408
31.0%
1.7%
Ferndale
12,387
16,330
3,943
31.8%
2.8%
271291
10,961
40.2%
2.4%
Lyn d e n
121886
161520
31634
28. 2%
2. 5 %
261580
101060
37. 8%
2. 2%
Nooksack
1,364
1,560
196
14.4%
1.4%
2,091
531
25.4%
1.3%
Sumas
11423
1,810
387
27.2/o
2.4%
2,862
1,052
36.8%
2.1%
Total Urban WC
117,651
141,625
23,974
20. 4%
1. 9%
206,285
64,660
31. 3%
1. 7 %
Unincorporated Whatcom County
881370
941175
51805
6.6%
0.6%
1151417
211242
6.6%
0.9%
Whatcom County
2061021
2351800
29,779
14. 5 %
1.4%
3211702
851902
26. 7%
1.4%
Population Source: WA OFM
Growth Source: Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan: Growth Projections May 22, 20241 p. 11, Fig. 7
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i
Open discussion
• Based on the UGA maps, is this where your city wants to grow?
• Does each city have enough UGA for the next 20-year plan?
• Is your city growing fast enough; or too fast?
• What does the housing look like for your future population?
• Is it possible to create enough housing to get ahead of the curve?
Industry and Jobs
:40
Government
14, 000
Health Care and Social Assistance IMM
13,000
Retai I Trade
11, 000
Manufactu '
9,000
Accommodation and Food Service
9,000
Constructio L
8,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
4,000
Administration an Waste Services
Agricultural, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
4,000
Other
17,000
Total
92,000
Data Source: 2022 Whatcom County Economic Profile
Industry and Jobs
Government 147000
LLealth Ca -- - - A -EL yi nn0
Retai I Trade 11,000
Manufacturina 9.000
Accommodation and Food Service 9,000
Constructioa 8,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 4,000
Admi non and WasMIRMs 4, 000
Agricultural, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 4,000
Other 17,000
Total 92, 000
Whatcom County Population 20 230, 677
Whatcom County Population 2045 321,702
Percent increase
Data Source: 2022 Whatcom County Economic Profile
Industry and Jobs
Government 14,000
.Flealth Care and Social Assistance 13,000
Retail Trade 11.000
Manufacturing
_Accommodation and Food Service
Constru io
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Administration and Waste Services
Agricultural, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Other
Total
Whatcom County Population 2022JML
Whatcom County Population 2045
Percent increase 01
• 111
230,677
321,702
• :11
Data Source: 2022 Whatcom County Economic Profile
Whatcom County Historical Employment
Growth by Sector, 2010 to 2021
---I
industry --M' �1& Percent Change
Resources & Utilities
21829
31343
18.29,0
Construction
41885
71556
21671
54.7%
Manufacturing
71738
81699
961
12.4%
Wholesale Trade
2,425
2,629
204
8.4%
Retail Trade
8,099
8,450
351
4.3%
Transport & Warehousing
2,073
2,344
271
13.1%
Healthcare Services
9,347
13,494
41147
44.4%
Accommodations & Food Services
61413
61148
-265
-4.1%
Other Services
151893
171247
11354
8.5%
Government
131718
121247
-11471
-10.7%
Data Source: US Census LEHD On The Map; Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan:
Population and Employment Protections, (p. 16, Fig. 12)
Total Employment - Middle Projection
Bellingham
70,384
70,243
75,049
78,176
85,556
15,172
Birch Bay
577
576
615
641
702
124
Blaine
3,251
3,244
3,466
3,610
3,951
701
Cherry Point
21,288
210284
21440
2,541
21,781
493
Columbia Valley
62
62
66
69
75
13
Everson
943
941
1,006
1,048
11147
203
Ferndale
9,934
9,914
10,592
11,034
12,075
21141
Lynden
8,345
810328
81898
91,269
101,144
1,799
Nooksack
369
368
393
410
448
79
Sumas
695
694
741
772
845
150
Other / Rural
15,785
15,753
16,831
17,532
19,188
3,403
County Total
112,633
112,407
120,098
125,101
136,912
24,279
Data Source: US Census LEHD On The Map; Whatcom County Comprehensive
Plan: Population and Employment Projections, (p. 24)
Industrial - Middle Projection
Bellingham
13,083
13,057
13,950
14,531
15,903
2,820
Birch Bay
103
103
110
114
125
22
Blaine
1,518
1,515
1,618
1,686
1,845
327
Cherry Point
2,089
21,085
210228
21,321
21,540
450
Columbia Valley
26
26
28
29
32
6
Everson
407
406
434
452
495
88
Ferndale
41457
41448
410752
410950
5,418
961
Lynden
2,809
2,803
2,995
3,120
3,415
606
Nooksack
134
134
143
149
163
29
Sumas
452
452
482
502
550
98
Other / Rural
4,302
4,293
4,587
4,778
5,229
927
County Total
29,381
29,322
31,328
32,633
35,714
6,333
Data Source: US Census LEHD On The Map; Whatcom County Comprehensive
Plan: Population and Employment Projections, (p. 25)
Open Discussion
• How can we promote more industry in the County?
• Or do we really want to?
• Can we focus the job growth to where the population will grow to
minimize work travel time?
• How does "work from home" fit into the next 20-year plan?
Agricultural Needs
M
!!!!!
1-9 acres
611
39%
701
41%
10 to 49 acres
654
41 %
662
39%
50 to 179 acres
214
14%
233
14%
180 to 499 acres
60
4%
74
4%
500 to 999 acres
29
2 %
30
2%
11 000+ a c re a
14
1 %
12
1%
Tota 1
11582
11712
Source: USDA NASS Site
Agricultural Needs
Market value of products sold
51012661000
97%
37218501000
98%
Government payments
3/983/000
1%
1/047/000
0%
Farm -related income
10,639,000
2%1
81323,000
2%
Total farm production expenses
(407,274,000)
(325,138,000)
Net cash farm income
117,614,000
57,082,000
Now-
b
Source
2022 1
-
2017
Dairy
204, 503, 000
40%
180, 488, 000
48 %
Fruit
183, 511, 000
36%
114, 628, 000
31 %
Cattle
28, 070, 000
6%
251 3991 000
7%
Nursery
48, 551, 000
10%
19, 226, 000
5%
Potato s
17, 573, 000
3%
11, 803, 000
3%
Other
28, 058, 000
5%
21, 306, 000
6 %
Total
5101266, 000
372, 850, 000
Source: USDA NASS Site
Agricultural Needs
Less than $2, 500
738
47%
891
52%
$2,500 to $4,999 w
155
10%
166
10%
$5, 000 to $9, 999
160
10%
146
9%
$10, 000 to $24,999
121
8%
151
9
$25, 000 to $49,999
80
5%
61
4%
$50,000 to $99,999
62
4%
40
2%
$100,000 or more
1 266
17%
257
15 %
Total
1 11582
1
1 1.1712
Source: USDA NASS Site
Open Discussion
• Does the data change your perception of agriculture in Whatcom
County?
• How can we promote more profitable agriculture in our county?
• What changes can the County Council implement that would promote
agriculture in Whatcom County?
• Some of the fastest growing cities (Lynden, Everson, Nooksack and
Sumas) are surrounded by good agricultural land:
• Do we allow this land to be used for development?
• Is the any land that we feel must remain in agriculture?
Where do we go from here?
• Do we need another meeting of the elected officials?
• Do we need to lobby the State for any changes in the GMA?
• How can we create affordable housing with all the challenges before
us?
City/County Elected Officials Meeting
Growth Management Coordination - 2025 Update
Agenda
September 11, 2024
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Ferndale City Hall Annex
5694 Second Avenue, Ferndale
(virtual option also provided) 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Non -binding Multi -jurisdictional Resolutions
3. Housing: House Bill 1220 and Housing for All Planning Tool
➢ Housing Distribution by Income Band
4. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - Status update
5. Discussion - Elected Officials and Staff
6. Next Meeting, Wednesday December 4 or 11
7. Wrap-up and Adjourn
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 292 151 532 460
Passcode: J5xjvo
Dial in by phone
+1 253-220-4085„884468527# United States, Tacoma
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 884 468 527#
City/County Elected Officials Meeting
Growth Management Coordination - 2025 Update
Agenda
December 4, 2024
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Ferndale City Hall Annex
5694 Second Avenue, Ferndale
(virtual option also provided) 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - Status update
3. Housing: House Bill 1220 and Housing for All Planning Tool
➢ Housing Distribution by Income Band
4. Non -binding Multi -jurisdictional Resolutions
5. Discussion - Elected Officials and Staff
6. Next Meeting, Wednesday March 5 or 12
7. Wrap-up and Adjourn
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NON -BINDING
MULTI -JURISDICTIONAL
RESOLUTIONS
WHATCOM COUNTY
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES
PRESENTATION TO
CITY/COUNTY ELECTED
OFFICIALS
DECEMBER 4, 2024
•r� A
GROWTH MANAGEMENTACT
County and
city
comprehensive plans must
be
coordinated
and
consistent (RCW 36.70A.100).
This includes population, housing, and employment
growth projections.
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COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATIONS
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CURRENT COMP PLAN
DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION GROWTH
74.4% in the seven city UGAs;
9.5% in the two non -city UGAs (Birch Bay and Columbia
Valley); and
16.1 % outside of UGAs (in rural and resource lands).
NON -BINDING MULTI -
JURISDICTIONAL RESOLUTIONS
2016 Comp Plan Update Process
Non -binding multi -jurisdictional resolutions
Included population and employment allocations
2025 Comp Plan Update Process
Non -binding multi -jurisdictional resolutions
Will include population, housing and employment allocations
_ l
f
LANGUAGE FROM DRAFT
NON -BINDING RESOLUTION
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom
County Council [or appropriate City Council] hereby agrees
to utilize the population, housing, and employment growth
allocations shown on Exhibit A as the preliminary allocations
for initial review of urban growth areas by the County and
cities. It is acknowledged that a range of population, housing,
and employment allocations will also be studied in the
environmental impact statement and UGA review process and
the final UGA growth allocations may be different than set
forth in this Resolution.
QUESTIONS?
Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan
Adopted August 9, 2016
Whatoom County Planning and Development 8ervb ms
UpdgW,f fj v t w120Y2
40)1-
Photo Credit: Rich Stratm,
Elected Officials Meeting I December 4, 2024
WHi�nQM COUNTY
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i
SCJ ALLIANCE
CONSULTING SERVICES
HB 1220 amended the GMA in 2021 to require that jurisdictions
"plan for and accommodate housing affordable to all economic
segments of the population of the state"
Commerce Housing for All Planning Tool (HAPT) generates total
Countywide need by income band based on population
- projections.
Housing targets by income band are then allocated using the
® HAPT to UGAs and Rural & Resource Lands based on shares of
countywide growth.
Jurisdictions must show land capacity to accommodate the units
through zoning, and document potential barriers to production
and racially disparate impacts in housing policy.
� Income Bands MM
• County and Cities must plan for Countywide housing targets by
income band generated by the HAPT.
• HAPT methodology includes housing needed for a variety of
reasons:
Housing for Additional housing
baseline to accommodate
homeless population growth
population 11
J
fto
• Income band allocations are not predictive forecasts, but the
Legislature requires cities and counties to show capacity for these
units to plan for future housing availability and affordability.
• The County and Cities, with the assistance of the consultants,
have been working on allocating housing units to UGAs and Rural
& Resource Lands in 2024.
6 Land Capacity MA
• Cities and
County must
show
capacity for units
that meet
allocations at
each
income level
• Capacity is correlated with zoning:
• Lowest -income households (0-80% AMI) served by
housing in areas zoned for medium to large scale
multifamily development (including subsidized housing).
• Moderate -income households (80-120% AMI) served by
apartments and smaller "middle housing" types such as 2-
3-4-plexes.
• Higher -income households (120% AMI+) served by
single-family detached housing.
• ADUs and Middle Housing can serve a range of moderate
incomes.
• Not all housing will build -out at these income
levels, but jurisdictions must demonstrate that
these housing types can be built under
current or proposed zoning to meet targets.
• In addition to capacity, Commerce asks jurisdictions to analyze
housing production trends to identify potential barriers to
production in four categories:
• Development regulations
• Process obstacles
• Limited land availability and environmental constraints
• Funding gaps
• Commerce provides matrices for this analysis:
• Net New Population, Housing, and Employment
Allocations using OFM Medium Population Projections:
Bellingham City & UGA
Birch Bay UGA
Blaine City & UGA
Cherry Point UGA
Columbia Valley UGA
Everson City & UGA
Ferndale City & UGA
Lynden City & UGA
Nooksack City & UGA
Sumas City & UGA
Rural and Resource Lands
Total
Draft 2023-2045 Allocations: Alternative 1 (OFM / Technical Report Middle)
Population
Population
Share
Housing
Units
Housing Unit
Share
Employment
Employment
Share
24,158
42.4%
15,219
48.7%
15,172
62.5%
2,313
4.1%
936
3.0%
124
0.5%
2,774
4.9%
1,461
4.7%
701
2.9%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
493
2.0%
988
1.7%
447
1.4 %
13
0.1%
933
1.6%
433
1.4%
203
0.8%
7,262
12.8%
3,308
10.6%
2,141
8.8%
6,665
11.7%
3,552
11.4%
1,799
7.4%
352
0.6%
190
0.6%
79
0.3%
697
1.2 %
476
1.5 %
150
0.6%
10,773
18.9%
5,198
16.6%
3,403
14.0%
56,915 100.0% 31,220 100.0% 24,279 100.0%
• Net New Housing allocations using OFM Medium
Population Projections:
DRAFT HOUSING UNITS BY INCOME BAND 2023-2045: ALTERNATIVE 1 (OFM MEDIUM)
0-30%
Emergency
Housing
% of Total
Total
Non-PSH
PSH
>30-50%
>50-80%
>80-100%
>100-120%
>120%
Needs
Bellingham City & UGA
48.75%
15,219
4,711
1,901
3,864
760
709
1,119
2,155
253
Birch Bay UGA
3.00%
936
290
117
238
47
44
69
132
16
Blaine City & UGA
4.68%
1,461
452
182
371
73
68
107
207
24
Cherry Point UGA
0.00%
-1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Columbia Valley UGA
1.43%
447
138
56
113
22
21
33
63
7
Everson City & UGA
1.39%
433
134
54
110
22
20
32
61
7
Ferndale City & UGA
10.60%
3,308
1,024
413
840
165
154
243
468
55
Lynden City & UGA
11.38%
3,552
1,100
444
902
177
166
261
503
59
Nooksack City & UGA
0.61%
190
59
24
48
10
9
14
27
3
Sumas City & UGA
1.53%
476
147
59
121
24
22
35
67
8
LAMIRDs and Rural Areas
16.65%
5,198
0
0
45
855
301
305
3,692
87
Total
100.00%
31,220
8,055
3,250
6,652
2,155
1,514
2,218
7,376
520
• Draft proposed net new population, housing, and
employment allocations presented to the Whatcom
County Planning Commission in November:
Bellingham City & UGA
Birch Bay UGA
Blaine City & UGA
Cherry Point UGA
Columbia Valley UGA
Everson City & UGA
Ferndale City & UGA
Lynden City & UGA
Nooksack City & UGA
Sumas City & UGA
Rural and Resource Lands
Draft 2023-2045 Allocations: Alternative 2 (County/City Scenario)
Population
Housing Unit
Employment
Population
Share
Housing Units
Share
Employment
Share
30,310
44.8%
18,390
51.1%
19,384
59.9%
2,662
3.9%
1,051
2.9%
450
1.4%
3,500
5.2%
1,774
4.9%
1,092
3.4%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
1,200
3.7%
1,137
1.7%
502
1.4%
350
1.1%
1,408
2.1%
610
1.7%
602
1.9%
10,961
16.2%
4,659
12.9%
3,337
10.3%
6,665
9.9%
3,535
9.8%
1,799
5.6%
995
1.5%
433
1.2%
232
0.7%
1,000
1.5%
643
1.8%
500
1.5%
9,000
13.3%
4,416
12.3%
3,403
10.5%
Total 67,638 100.0% 36,013 100.0% 32,349 100.0%
• Draft proposed net new housing allocations presented
to the Whatcom County Planning Commission in
November:
DRAFT HOUSING UNITS BY INCOME BAND 2023-2045: ALTERNATIVE 2 (COUNTY/CITY SCENARIO)
0-30% Emergency
of Total Total Non-PSH PSH >30-50% >50-80% >80-100% >100-120% >120% Housing Needs
Bellingham City & UGA
51.06%
18,390
4,978
1,944
4,158
1,197
989
1,400
3,725
299
Birch Bay UGA
2.92%
1,051
285
111
238
68
56
80
213
17
Blaine City & UGA
4.93%
1,774
480
188
401
115
95
135
359
29
Cherry Point UGA
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Columbia Valley UGA
1.39%
502
136
53
113
33
27
38
102
8
Everson City & UGA
1.70%
610
165
65
138
40
33
46
124
10
Ferndale City & UGA
12.94%
4,659
1,261
492
1,053
303
250
355
944
76
Lynden City & UGA
9.82%
3,535
957
374
799
230
190
269
716
58
Nooksack City & UGA
1.20%
433
117
46
98
28
23
33
88
7
Sumas City & UGA
1.79%
643
174
68
145
42
35
49
130
10
LAMIRDs and Rural Areas
12.26%
4,416
0
0
45
855
304
307
2,905
72
Total
100.00%
36,013
8,553
3,340
7,189
2,912
2,002
2,712
9,305
586
Project Website
Project Contacts
Matt Aamot
Senior Planner
Whatcom County
2025Update(D-co.whatcom.wa.us
360.778.5939
Andrew Oliver (Consultant)
Senior Analyst
Leland Consulting Group
aoliver(@-lelandconsultinq.com
nttps://www.wnatcomcounty.us/4218/2025-Comprehensive-Plan-Updates
Photo Credit: Rich Stratm,
N
EIS Update I December 4, 2024
.:.
WHAST-6�;kx- COUNTY
C/ v x,
+�f
SCJ ALLIANCE
CONSULTING SERVICES
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L�-T
4 � 'ice 7
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-mol
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• SEPA required element for baseline evaluation
• Areas of the environment included in the EIS:
• Earth
• Air Quality/Climate
• Water Resources
• Plants and Animals
• Land and Shoreline Use
• Plans and Policies
• Population, Housing, and Employment
• Environmental Justice
• Cultural Resources
• Transportation
• Public Services and Utilities
• Input from County departments on existing conditions
• The kin-artinn Alternativr would assume that the existing Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan and growth projections are carried forward, which
represents a lower growth option (from 235,800 population in 2023 to
275,450 total County population in 2045).
• Alternative 1 would use the Washington State Office of Financial Management
(OFM) medium population projection (292,714 total County population in
2045) and allocate growth to each UGA and the area outside the UGAs based
on the same percentage share of growth over the past ten years.
• Alternative 2 would use a population projection (303,438 countywide) and
allocations to each UGA and the area outside the UGAs developed by the
cities and County.
• Alternative ? would use a higher population projection (321,702 in 2045) than
the OFM medium projection, but less than the OFM high projection, and
allocate growth to each UGA and the area outside the UGAs based on the
same percentage share of growth over the past ten years.
ill
Ah
Croce
Complete impact analysis/comparison of the alternatives and
mitigation strategy development.
Publication of the Draft EIS for public comment is anticipated
in first quarter of 2025.
�- Public hearing on the Draft EIS
Publication of the Final EIS is anticipated in the second -7 Llitl!
quarter of 2025. r
Work to Date:
• Outreach
• Topic -Specific Citizen Advisory
Committees
• Regional Pop -Ups & Workshops
• Interactive Community Survey
• Land Capacity Analysis
• Planning Commission & County
Council Meetings
• City -County Planner Group
Meetings
• EIS Existing Conditions Analysis
• TAZ Modeling/Allocations
Next Steps:
• Alternatives Analysis
• Publication of the Draft EIS
• Open House & Public
Comment Period
• Planning Commission Work
Sessions, Hearings, and
Recommendations
• Analysis of the Preferred
Alternative
• Publication of the Final EIS
• County Council Meetings,
Hearing & Adoption
.� J. I* Sr .
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# Y'A IL
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. qrjmp-sply - -Imcqmmmwr_— RE AAILL
4.
4
Questions on the Process?
-Al illwa� A
-
-,O�l AlA, T" %4f-12-m1W
Project Website
me
Project Contacts
Matt Aamot
Senior Planner
Whatcom County
2025Update(D-co.whatcom.wa.us
360.778.5939
Sharese Graham (Consultant)
Senior Environmental Planner
SCJ Alliance Consulting Services
bill._ riq imes(aD-scjalliance.com
509.835.3770
nttps://www.wnatcomcounty.us/4218/2025-Comprehensive-Plan-Updates
OM CO
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
COUNCILMEMBERS
Cathy Halka, AICP, CIVIC
3ZP 'y�
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Todd Donovan
311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105
Ben Elenbaas
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
0
�`SHINCti'C
Kaylee Galloway
(360) 778-5010
Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremler
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the Whatcom County Council will attend
and participate in the Growth Management Coordination — Workshop for
Elected Officials on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Ferndale
City Hall Annex (Municipal Court), 5694 Second Ave, Ferndale. This is a hybrid
meeting with both in -person and remote participation. Please see the agenda
below including remote participation join link.
AGENDA
Thursday - January 23, 2025, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Ferndale City Hall Annex (Municipal Court),
5694 Second Ave, Ferndale
Virtual (Teams) participation is available
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Phone conference ID: 332 908 116#
1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Population, Housing, and Employment allocations. Timing.
3. Designated agricultural lands
4. Policies for managing urban growth areas
a. Collecting impact fees in urban growth areas
5. Urban growth reserve lands & really long-range planning
6. Formation/designation of a regional housing organization - County
support?
7. Next Meeting? Time, Date, Location
8. Adjourn
For more information, please contact the County Council Office at 360.778.5010.
Notice Distribution Date: January 21, 2025
City/County Elected Officials Meeting
Growth Management Coordination - 2025 Update
Agenda
February 20, 2025
3:00 — 5:00 p.m.
Bellingham Pacific Street Operations Center
2221 Pacific St., Bellingham WA 98229 (use entrance on Carolina St.)
Or remote attendance via Zoom (see link below)
Welcome and Introductions
2. Possible New County/City Planning Policies Regarding UGA Planning
➢ Pre -Zoning: "Whatcom County and Cities should pursue and formalize
processes for the County to adopt new zoning for UGAs prior to annexation
that will take effect upon annexation." (To be adopted as a new Countywide
Planning Policy)
➢ Abutting UGAs: "Bellingham and Ferndale should develop and formalized a
cooperative planning process to address expansion of city limits and urban
growth areas in adjacent and adjoining areas." (To be adopted in parallel by
Bellingham and Ferndale)
3. Industrial and Commercial Land Supply and Projected Employment Numbers: Do We
Have Enough?
➢ See Pages 14-29 of Whatcom Population and Employment Projections
➢ From Whatcom County CEDS (2022) Goals and Objectives:
Shovel ready sites — Support partners in sustainably developing existing
industrially zoned lands to have graded parcels with basic utility, road, and
transport access.
Industrial building supply— Work with partners to create a diverse industrial
building supply in Whatcom County.
4. Laying Groundwork for Possible Newly Incorporated City
➢ Procedure for Incorporation in WA state by petition and voter approval (See
RCW 35.02)
➢ Example of Birch Bay Incorporation Study
r•All
Click here to join the meeting
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Join by phone by calling 253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 898 4873 5206; Password: 9
FOR THE MEETING, PLEASE COME TO THE CAROLINA STREET ENTRANCE
�AROLINA STREET ENTRANCE
To the right of the
employee entrance
City/County Elected Officials Meeting
Growth Management Coordination - 2025 Update
Agenda
May 21, 2025
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Ferndale City Hall Annex
5694 Second Avenue, Ferndale
(virtual option also provided) 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
3. Discussion - Elected Officials and Staff
4. Next Meeting, Wednesday September 17
5. Wrap-up and Adjourn
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