VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2026
Dear Neighbors and Supporters,
The Bellingham Hearing Examiner will hold a public hearing starting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 5:00 pm to accept testimony on the various permits for the proposed Woods at Viewcrest subdivision on Mud Bay Cliffs, the 38-acre, steeply-sloped urban forest overlooking North Chuckanut Bay.
Protect Mud Bay Cliffs (PMBC) urges you to participate at the hearing and share your concerns about the proposal via Zoom or in person at City Hall, located at 210 Lottie Street in Bellingham.
Each speaker will be given three minutes to present comments. If the hearing does not conclude on January 14, then it will reconvene on January 15 at a time to be determined (either 1:00 pm or 5:00 pm).
PMBC is seeking volunteers to testify as to why the permit applications and requested variances should be denied by the Hearing Examiner since they do not comply with important regulations designed to preserve the environment and protect public safety. Volunteers are encouraged to prepare their own statements. However, if you prefer, PMBC is happy to provide written testimony for you to read out loud at the hearing.
If you would like to volunteer to present at the hearing, please email PMBC Steering Committee member Ava Ferguson at avaferguson@gmail.com and let her know if you plan to write your own personal statement, or if you would like PMBC to email a prepared statement for you to read at the hearing. If you’re uncertain which of these options you prefer, please reach out to Ava.
A notice about the hearing was sent on December 17 to those who requested to be updated. The Hearing Examiner Agenda can be viewed at bit.ly/PMBC-1-14-26-Hearing. If you plan to present comments at the hearing via Zoom, be sure to register in advance at: bit.ly/PMBC-Hearing-Registration.
Once you are registered, you will receive an email with a link to the hearing.
The application materials and staff reports to be addressed at the hearing will be available online at cob.org/HEMaterials approximately one week before the hearing.
The deadline for written comments to be included in the published materials is Monday, January 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Written comments can be emailed to WoodsVC@cob.org or submitted by mail. Instructions are provided in the Hearing Examiner Agenda.
To help you prepare, please consider reading the Citizen’s Guide to Hearing Examiner Services that provides a quick reference for members of the public. You can download the guide at cob.org/wp-content/uploads/citizen-guide-hearing-examiner.pdf.
If you have general questions about the Woods at Viewcrest proposal, or about PMBC’s role, please email your questions to Info@MudBayCliffs.org. Please also visit PMBC's Update page at mudbaycliffs.org/updates.
As always, thank you for helping to protect Mud Bay’s estuary and the forested cliffs overlooking the bay. PMBC greatly appreciates your support, and we look forward to having you present at the public hearing in January.
With appreciation,
The Protect Mud Bay Cliffs Steering Committee