The community design section of the Bellingham Plan focuses on how the community looks, feels, and functions. It is about shaping and using the public realm. It addresses the design of buildings, groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes, open spaces between buildings, streetscapes and other physical features. These physical features of the community define Bellingham's unique identity and set the stage for economic activity. Including a community design chapter is not required by state law, but Bellingham values urban design and includes it in the Comprehensive Plan. While the capital facilities & utilities chapter also touches on the public realm, it does not concern itself with design and appearance like this chapter does.
What changes will happen in the Bellingham Plan?
The community design chapter will provide a framework for shaping the future form and character of Bellingham. It will also examine the City's current design standards for residential development. The City is considering changes to its design standards in conjunction with House Bill 1110 and 1293. These bills simplify local design review steps and require cities to use "clear and objective" standards for new development.
Several events provided opportunities to discuss topics related to the community design chapter. The “Community Vision” event set the stage for discussions about what defines our community and priorities for how it should look and feel in the future. The “Housing Types and Neighborhoods” session focused extensively on the design of various housing types. This session invited the community to provide feedback on which design elements are most important to them, knowing that changes will be needed to comply with state legislation.
The community design section of the Bellingham Plan focuses on how the community looks, feels, and functions. It is about shaping and using the public realm. It addresses the design of buildings, groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes, open spaces between buildings, streetscapes and other physical features. These physical features of the community define Bellingham's unique identity and set the stage for economic activity. Including a community design chapter is not required by state law, but Bellingham values urban design and includes it in the Comprehensive Plan. While the capital facilities & utilities chapter also touches on the public realm, it does not concern itself with design and appearance like this chapter does.
What changes will happen in the Bellingham Plan?
The community design chapter will provide a framework for shaping the future form and character of Bellingham. It will also examine the City's current design standards for residential development. The City is considering changes to its design standards in conjunction with House Bill 1110 and 1293. These bills simplify local design review steps and require cities to use "clear and objective" standards for new development.
Several events provided opportunities to discuss topics related to the community design chapter. The “Community Vision” event set the stage for discussions about what defines our community and priorities for how it should look and feel in the future. The “Housing Types and Neighborhoods” session focused extensively on the design of various housing types. This session invited the community to provide feedback on which design elements are most important to them, knowing that changes will be needed to comply with state legislation.
