On August 25, 2025, Bellingham City Council approved a plan for Barkley Village that will bring significantly more housing, increased bike and pedestrian connections, traffic improvements, and more public spaces – it also preserves about 40 acres of greenspace, including wetlands and forested habitat. The plan, which designates the area as an urban village, is the result of a 7-year collaboration between the City and the primary property owner, Talbot Group.