Bellingham Shoreline Master Program: Comprehensive Update

Public Comment Requested - May 16 to June 24, 2011 at 5 p.m.

The Washington Department of Ecology seeks public comment on the Bellingham's proposed update to its Shoreline Master Program (SMP).

Bellingham’s updated shoreline master program provides shoreline regulations that are integrated with the city’s growth management planning and zoning, floodplain management, and critical areas ordinances as part of a unified development code. The SMP establishes protective buffers of approximately 25 to 150 feet with the flexibility to reduce buffers based on individual property circumstances, or increase the buffer to protect sensitive shoreline resources.

The SMP limits the length of new residential docks and piers to the minimum necessary, and allows for averaging to the length of adjacent piers while limiting the float size to 8 by 16 feet. The SMP update encourages soft-bank erosion control methods and limits construction of new shoreline armoring and it includes a restoration plan showing where and how voluntary improvements in water and upland areas can enhance the local shoreline environment.

Ecology will compare the Bellingham's proposed program to the requirements of the Shoreline Management Act and the Shoreline Master Program Guidelines. Based on the comparison, Ecology will decide whether to:

Approve the program as is, or
Approve the program with recommended and/or required changes, or
Deny approval at this time and work with the city on bringing the program into compliance with all applicable laws and rules.

Learn more: Citizen Guide to Shoreline Master Programs

Public Comment Period

Opens: May 16, 2011
Closes: June 24, 2011 at 5 p.m.

All interested parties are invited to provide comment during this public comment period.

Public Hearing

Attend Ecology's public hearing to learn more about Bellingham's shoreline program and provide written comments. You may also provide verbal testimony during the public hearing.

Date:          Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Time:          7:00 pm
Location:     Bellingham City Council Chambers
                  210 Lottie Street
                  Bellingham, WA 98225
                  (206) 778-8200

Although Ecology's public hearing is independent of Bellingham's public process, Bellingham has provided the hearing location to reduce costs of the overall process.

The hearing location complies with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

Please contact the city at (360) 778-8200 in advance if you need additional accommodation.

Submit written comments and questions to:

Geoff Tallent
Washington State Department of Ecology, Northwest Regional Office
3190 160th Avenue SE
Bellevue, Washington 98008
Geoff.Tallent@ecy.wa.gov
(425) 649-7096

Comments must be received no later than June 24, 2011 at 5 p.m.

Documents for public review and comment

Note: All documents are PDF.

Shoreline Master Program (459 KB)

Appendix B - Restoration Plan (392 KB)
Waterfront District Development Regulation Matrix (37 KB)
Natural Development Regulation Matrix (61 KB)
Shorelines of Statewide Significance (429 KB)

Maps

If you have troubles with accessing documents, please contact Geoff Tallent

Paper copies are available at the following location:

Bellingham Planning & Community Development Department
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 778-8360

Next steps: Response to public comment and decision

A summary of comments and the Bellingham's response will be posted here a few weeks after the comment period closes. We will also post a notice of Ecology’s decision when it becomes available. Please check back.