October Update
Save the Date: Edgemoor Neighborhood Association Meeting - Monday 10/23/23 from 7-9 PM
PMBC will provide an update on the proposed subdivision project at the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association (ENA) meeting on Monday, October 23. The meeting will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Lairmont Manor. The ENA meeting is open to everyone who is interested in these issues, so please join us on October 23rd.
For more information, visit www.edgemoorneighborhood.com/blog.
City’s Application Review Process Overview
Here is an overview of the city’s full application review process:
On 8/7/23, the city Planning Department issued a third Request for Information (RFI) and granted the developers 120 days, until 12/5/23, to respond.
The city's 8/7/23 RFI can be viewed at bit.ly/RFI8-7-23. The city’s full website for this proposed project can be viewed at www.cob.org/project/the-woods-at-viewcrest.
PMBC agrees with the city's decision to issue a third Request for Information, but we were surprised and disappointed by what is missing from the RFI, which fails to cover several critical issues. On 8/17/23, PMBC submitted a public comment letter in response to the RFI, which outlines these deficiencies in detail. PMBC's 8/17 letter can be viewed at bit.ly/PMBCLetter8-17-23.
Once the city receives a complete response from the developers, the city will issue a Notice of Application and initiate the minimum 30-day Public Comment Period.
Immediately after the Comment Period begins, it is vital for all of us to send the city letters and emails describing our concerns about the proposed development.
It is crucial we convince the Bellingham Planning Department that this project is likely to impose a Significant Adverse Environmental Impact. If we are successful, the city will be legally obligated to require that an objective, independent, third-party Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared.
This EIS is necessary to ensure Bellingham’s planners have a comprehensive and honest evaluation of the harms this project can be expected to have on both the natural and built environment before making any decisions about development at this location.
When the city opens the Public Comment period, hearing from all of us will be important to convince the city’s decision-makers that an EIS is necessary. Please be prepared to send your emails and letters to the city once the Public Comment Period begins. We will alert you when this happens!
Sign Up Now for City Updates on the Proposed Project
If you’ve yet to do so, please send an email to Bellingham Senior Planner Kathy Bell (KBell@cob.org) with this request:
“Please accept this email as my request to receive via email all notices regarding the Woods at Viewcrest applications."
Why do this? Reasons include:
The Planning Department has asked us to make these requests, if we are interested in the proposed subdivision project.
The more of us who ask for updates, the greater the city Planning Department’s awareness of the high level of public interest.
A strong demonstration of community concern can help us going forward, as officials make decisions – potentially including the important city determination that this project could impose a Significant Adverse Environmental Impact.