Extraordinary Public Comment; Next Steps
A Resounding Level of Community Outcry
Together, our voices were loud and clear!
Although the city has yet to post the public comments it received about the proposed subdivision “The Woods at Viewcrest,” we have a glimpse into the community’s input — and it’s impressive!
Over 930 people signed PMBC’s petition to require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed project.
Dozens of us sent emails and letters urging city officials to protect Mud Bay Cliffs and the surrounding forest and wetland habitats.
Your generous donations allowed PMBC to obtain letters from technical experts and our land-use attorney (use links in section below; then go to Exhibits B - F and Q).
PMBC volunteers crafted detailed letters documenting errors and omissions with the developer’s application, including non-compliance with federal, state and local laws —more on this below.
Representatives from other environmental organizations, including RE Sources, sent letters to the city calling for an EIS.
City officials said they will continue to accept public comments until they are ready to take further action. We have no way of knowing when that will be, but it’s likely to occur in the next several weeks. Therefore, you can continue to submit letters or emails and to sign PMBC’s petition. After you read the documents that PMBC submitted (links below), you may have additional comments you’d like to let the city know about!
Sign/share the petition here: https://mudbaycliffs.org/petition
See a sample letter here: https://mudbaycliffs.org/updates/example-letter-public-comment
PMBC Leads the Way
On April 24, PMBC volunteers submitted a package of documents — over 450 pages — which clearly makes the case for the city to issue a Determination of Significance for this project under the State Environmental Protection Act, due to the significant adverse environmental impacts the proposed subdivision would be likely to impose.
PMBC’s comprehensive public comment submittal for the proposed project’s administrative record can be accessed via Dropbox. These two links allow you to read all or some of PMBC’s submittal:
Dropbox Folder (all documents): bit.ly/PMBC-DROPBOX
PMBC Transmittal Memo — page 2 shows table of Contents with separate links for each document: bit.ly/PMBC-MEMO
Next Steps
PMBC will continue to closely monitor developments as the city considers all application materials and public comments, and conducts an environmental review. We’ll alert you when more information becomes available.
Your Voice is Critical
Thanks to your generous investments of time, energy, and funding, we’ve delivered a strong set of public comments to the city. It’s encouraging to see how many of us understand the risks this proposed subdivision poses to Mud Bay Cliffs—and how hard we’re willing to work to protect this unique Bellingham gem. Together, we will make the difference!