Welcome new officers: Three new lateral officers, Biscayart, Redmond and Lyons, officially joined the Bellingham Police Department (BPD) this week. Lateral hires are new to our Police Department but not new to law enforcement. Now that the officers are sworn in (pictured above), these experienced officers will complete a two-week training program at the lateral academy, followed by field training alongside local officers. The lateral academy provides additional training specific to the Bellingham community and BPD procedures, ensuring a smooth transition for experienced officers joining the force. Please join us in welcoming these new officers to our BPD team!
Exploring parking space requirements: On Monday, February 12, Bellingham City Council directed the administration to plan a work session about the City’s parking space requirements, and to research the impacts of potential policy changes. Currently, for each structure in the city, a certain amount of land must be set aside for parking cars. The specific use of a property determines how much must be set aside (such as requiring 1.5 parking spaces per one- or two-bedroom unit). If codes were to change, and those mandates removed, people would have the option of using land previously required for parking to support other community priorities, such as housing, tree planting, and critical areas (like wetlands). Most municipal parking codes were developed in the 1930s and 40s. Many cities across the country have modernized their parking codes, with some making changes to advance their priorities around affordable housing, urban renewal, climate action, transportation mode shift and other goals. The last time parking codes were substantially updated in Bellingham was 1969. Watch the City Council discussion on this topic or learn more about current parking space requirements.
Ribbon Cutting Celebration: Join us on Wednesday, February 21 at 3:30 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Hundred Acre Wood Outdoor Classroom. The outdoor classroom is a collaboration between the City of Bellingham and Recreation Northwest and serves as an educational and community gathering space. The classroom is located at the entrance to the Hundred Acre Wood, a short walk south of the Fairhaven Park shelter. Learn more about the Hundred Acre Wood on our website.
Speaking of events: Join us on February 22 for our Bellingham Plan Community Vision open house. The Bellingham Plan will be our guide as we prepare for the future. This plan must identify where growth can occur, prioritize the social and economic well-being of the community, and balance urban development with environmental protection and our response to climate change. This open house will set the stage for later sessions with big picture discussions around housing, jobs, inclusivity, and more. This event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sehome High School Commons – you can arrive any time between 5 and 6. Learn more or register (registration is optional, but when you register, you help to ensure we provide enough food and ensure you receive helpful updates leading up to the event). Make your voice heard during our first open house event this year!
Businesses asked to help verify City purchases: Local businesses are being asked to help verify City purchases after recent reports revealed that individuals impersonating City employees have charged unauthorized purchases on City accounts. All City employees can verify their identities and purchasing authority and are glad to do so when asked, to help ensure purchases are legitimate. Businesses can make a quick phone call to our Purchasing Division to verify, especially if they suspect fraudulent behavior. To verify a purchase, please call (360) 778-7750.
Protecting Lake Whatcom: The amount of forest we are protecting in the Lake Whatcom watershed has grown by another 4 acres, bringing the total to 2,767 acres! On Monday, February 12, Bellingham City Council approved another property purchase at the south end of Lake Whatcom. Through this purchase, we are protecting 4.1 acres of undeveloped forests and preventing one development unit, which is especially important due to the site’s proximity to a stream that enters Lake Whatcom and its proximity to the lake itself. Preserving forested land such as this is essential for protecting Lake Whatcom, our drinking water source since forested land soaks up and naturally filters pollutants out of rainwater before it enters the lake. Learn more about our Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program.
Changes coming to Pacific Street: Visitors to the Pacific Street Operations Center at 2221 Pacific Street can now access the building from Carolina Street instead of Pacific Street. The public entrance has been relocated in preparation for the next phase of construction for the Operations Center. Site preparations have begun and construction is expected to begin by mid-year. Public access will be retained throughout; however, many City services can be accessed online rather than in person. We encourage folks to use SeeClickFix to report non-emergency requests or call (360) 778-7700 for urgent matters.
