The City Council supports policies that increase access to healthy food options in Bellingham. Comprehensive Plan amendments are in process that would encourage grocery stores, farmer’s markets, food carts, and other mobile vendors to locate in underserved communities. Policies may also be adopted to encourage development patterns that support healthy food access in existing and newly-annexed areas, and to encourage grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and community food gardens to be located near homes and bus lines. The Council will also consider an ordinance that would prohibit restrictive covenants that limit the location of grocery stores in the City.
Policy and Ordinance Development
- Video, December 9, 2019: Public Hearing on, and passage of, an Ordinance Regulating Restrictive Grocery Covenants
- Video, August 26, 2019: Public Hearing on Resolution on 2019-2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendments [Amendments on food access referred to Planning Commission]
- Video, July 15, 2019: Potential Ordinance on Restrictive Covenants Related to Grocery Stores [referred to Planning Commission]
- Video, May 20, 2019: Potential Ordinance on Restrictive Covenants Related to Grocery Stores
- Video, March 25, 2019: Potential Ordinance on Restrictive Covenants that Affect Grocery Stores
- Video, February 25, 2019: Discussion of Comprehensive Plan Amendments and an Ordinance on Restrictive Grocery Covenants
- Video, November 19, 2018: Food Deserts and What a Can City Do to Prevent Them
