City Issues Third “Request For Information”
August 20, 2023
PMBC responds to the third “Request for Information”
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 are both surprised and disappointed by what is missing from the RFI, which fails to cover several critical issues, including:
At least eight aspects of the application materials are insufficient and must be addressed before the city begins to prepare a SEPA threshold determination;
Mud Bay consists of estuarine intertidal wetlands and is not a flow control exempt Salt Waterbody;
Several Action Items from previous Requests for Information have yet to be addressed by the applicant.
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.
Action you can take now:
It's essential that city planners know there are many of us who are concerned that these critical issues are not being addressed. Please consider reviewing PMBC's letter and contacting Senior Planner Kathy Bell at kbell@cob.org or (360) 778-8347 to let her know that the developer must be required to address these deficiencies before the city begins to prepare its SEPA threshold determination (the threshold determination governs whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be required).
See below for a more detailed overview of the city’s application review process.
FAQs Page
It’s been great to see the traffic and engagement with our new Frequently Asked Questions website page – thank you! If you’ve yet to do so, take a look at our new PMBC FAQ page and let us know what you think…
Feel free to share this link with family and friends who are curious to learn more about Mud Bay Cliffs and our efforts to protect the woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife of this Bellingham gem.
CANCELLED DUE TO SMOKY CONDITIONS Sunday 8/27 Shoreline Walking Tour of Mud Bay Cliffs
Come see Bellingham's magical Mud Bay Cliffs up close from the Mud Bay flats on Sunday, 8/27.
Protect Mud Bay Cliffs will lead a shoreline walking tour on Sunday August 27th from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM during low tide, when access is easiest.
See the natural gem we are working to protect – the shoreline, cliffs, woodland, estuarine wetlands, and almost certainly some of the wildlife, too!
We will meet at the public access trailhead immediately past 220 Sea Pines Road at 9:00 AM. Please gather on the sidewalk at the top of the paved stairs. This is a straightforward walk at low tide: we will follow a paved pathway down to the shore, and the walk along the shore is mostly on flat pebbled ground.
We suggest that you bring a hat and sunscreen, and wear clothes and shoes that can get a bit wet and muddy. The tour will take place entirely on the publicly owned shoreline.
If you have questions, please call Wendy Larson at 360-778-9834.
We hope you can join us, and we look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday the 27th.
City’s Application Review Process Overview
Here is an overview of the city’s full application review process:
As discussed above, 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.
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!
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.