City’s Third RFI Deadline Approaches…
December 5th is almost here! 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. As their actions unfold, we will keep you informed.
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.
Please Donate — Your Donations Make This Possible
Year-end donations have been coming in: Thank You!
Donations of any size are greatly appreciated as we approach the Public Comment period of the city’s application process. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Protect Mud Bay Cliffs Fund using the “Donate” button on our website at:
If your employer matches charitable donations, please request that match (more information below, and on the website). All donations are used solely to pursue our mission of protecting Mud Bay Cliffs, and all PMBC members volunteer their time freely.
Protect Mud Bay Cliffs is a Responsible Development program. Responsible Development is a Bellingham, WA based qualified Public Charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is included on the IRS Publication 78 Data List with Deductibility Code ‘PC’. Responsible Development’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 14-1944887.
Benevity, a commonly used platform for companies matching charitable donations, already includes Responsible Development as one of the charities supported.