Old Town is a vital link between the Central Business District and the waterfront and has been identified as a future urban village in the Comprehensive Plan, a strategy for accommodating growth. Planning staff engaged with the community beginning in 2007 to develop a plan for Old Town. This planning effort looked at the broader Old Town area which includes parts of the Lettered Streets and Central Business District neighborhoods, and culminated in drafting and adoption of the Old Town Subarea Plan.
Old Town Subarea Plan
The Old Town Sub-Area Plan and supporting development regulations were adopted in early 2008. Redevelopment opportunities for Old Town have been the subject of several community planning efforts including the American Institute of Architects Regional Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT), Whatcom Creek Waterfront Action Program, the City Center Master Plan, and the Community Forum on Growth Management.
The Plan is oriented toward encouraging and guiding thoughtful redevelopment consistent with the vision for Old Town by way of the following guiding principles:
- Provide a policy framework unique to Old Town,
- Encourage a healthy mix of diverse and eclectic residential and commercial uses,
- Guide development to encourage a safe, convenient and attractive pedestrian experience,
- Ensure new development responds to view corridors and landmark buildings,
- Provide a level of predictability for stakeholders within and outside Old Town, and
- Encourage redevelopment to occur in Old Town.
Old Town Subarea Plan (8,828K PDF)
- Cover and Contents (PDF)
- Chapter 1 – Introduction (2,403K PDF)
- Chapter 2 – Vision (640K PDF)
- Chapter 3 – Development Character (1,809K PDF)
- Chapter 4 – Circulation and Parking (2,142K PDF)
- Chapter 5 – Parks and Plazas (2,087K PDF)
- Chapter 6 – Capital Facilities (PDF)
Development Standards
Old Town Development Agreements
In response to the goals and policies of the Old Town Sub-Area Plan, the City entered into a Development Agreement with Parberry’s, Inc. and with Old Town Village, LLC and Capron, LLC to create the conditions necessary to transition the north end of Old Town from a light industrial area to an urban village.
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