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Whatcom 2031
Contact Us

Director:
David Stalheim

Assistant Director:
J.E. “Sam” Ryan, CBO

5280 Northwest Drive
Bellingham, Washington 98226
Telephone: (360) 676-6907
E-mail: pds@co.whatcom.wa.us

The Growth Management Act encourages development in urban areas where adequate public facilities and services exist or can be provided in an efficient manner. Whatcom County has 10 Urban Growth Areas: 7 cities (Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, Sumas) and 3 unincorporated areas (Birch Bay, Cherry Point, Columbia Valley).

The Growth Management Act requires Whatcom County to review and revise Urban Growth Areas at least once every ten years to ensure that the Urban Growth Areas accommodate the projected urban growth over the next 20 years. Whatcom County is required to complete the review by December 1, 2009.

Upcoming Dates:

• November 24
  • Public hearing on UGA ordinances and final action
  • Introduction Ordinance
  • Council agenda

October 22, 2009 Planning Commission Recommendations:

On October 22, 2009, the Planning Commission passed a recommendation to the Whatcom County Council on proposed amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code.

• Summary of Recommendations
• Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

• Comprehensive Plan Amendments
  

  Chapter 1	Chapter 2	Bellingham UGA Map	Birch Bay UGA Map
  Chapter 3	Chapter 4	Blaine UGA Map	Cherry Pt UGA Map
  Chapter 5	Chapter 6	Columbia Valley UGA Map	Everson UGA Map
  Chapter 7	Chapter 8	Ferndale UGA Map	Lynden UGA Map
  Chapter 9	Chapter 10	Nooksack UGA Map	Sumas UGA Map
  Chapter 11	Appendix A	Map 8	Map 10
  Appendix B	Appendix C	Map 14A	Map 18
  Appendix D	Appendix E	Map 19
  Appendix E (repealed)	Appendix F
  Appendix G

  
  
• Zoning Amendments
  

  Zoning Text Amendments
  Bellingham Zoning Map	Birch Bay Zoning Map
  Blaine Zoning Map	Cherry Pt Zoning Map
  Columbia Valley Zoning Map	Everson Zoning Map
  Ferndale Zoning Map	Lynden Zoning Map
  Nooksack Zoning Map	Sumas Zoning Map

Public Comments
The following public comments were received between June 24 and September 17, 2009. These comments either informed the Executive's Proposal or are about the proposal.

County Executive Recommendations:

• Birch Bay -- County Executive Amends Recommendation (9-09-09)
• Errata Sheet (August 28, 2009)
• County Executive Recommendation with maps (12 MB)
  • County Executive Recommendation without maps (see maps in "Comprehensive Plan Amendments" section below)
• Comprehensive Plan Amendments
  • Chapter 1 -- Introduction
  • Chapter 2 -- Land Use (text)
  • Chapter 2 -- Land Use Maps
    • UGA -1, Bellingham
    • UGA - 2, Blaine
    • UGA - 3, Everson
    • UGA - 4, Ferndale
    • UGA - 5, Lynden
    • UGA - 6, Nooksack
    • UGA - 7, Sumas
    • UGA - 8, Birch Bay
    • UGA - 9, Columbia Valley
    • UGA - 10, Cherry Point
    • Map 8, Comprehensive Plan Designations
    • Map 10, Open Space Corridors
  • Chapter 3 -- Housing
  • Chapter 4 -- Capital Facilities
  • Chapter 5 -- Utilities
  • Chapter 6 -- Transportation Map 14a
  • Chapter 8 -- Resource Lands (maps only)
    • Map 18, Designated Agricultural Lands
    • Map 19, APO Protection Area
  • Appendix A -- Glossary
  • Appendix E -- 20-year Capital Facilities Plan (repeal of existing Appendix E)
  • Appendix G --Transportation Impact Fee Background
• Zoning Amendments
  • Code
  • Official Zoning Maps
    • UGA -1a, Bellingham UGA and surrounding area
    • UGA - 2a, Blaine UGA and surrounding area
    • UGA - 3a, Everson UGA and surrounding area
    • UGA - 4a, Ferndale UGA and surrounding area
    • UGA - 5a, Lynden UGA and surrounding area
    • UGA - 6a, Nooksack UGA and surrounding area
    • UGA - 7a, Sumas UGA and surrounding area
    • UGA - 8a, Birch Bay UGA and surrounding area
    • UGA - 9a, Columbia Valley UGA and surrounding area
    • UGA - 10a, Cherry Point UGA
  • Appendices
    • Appendix A -- Review of urban growth
    • Appendix B -- Land Capacity Analysis
      • Overview
      • Attachment 1 -- Summary Results, Alternatives, Assumptions
        • Bellingham
        • Birch Bay
        • Blaine
        • Cherry Point
        • Columbia Valley
        • Everson
        • Ferndale
        • Lynden
        • Nooksack
        • Sumas
      • Attachment 2 -- Detailed Land Capacity Methodology
      • Attachment 3 -- Detailed Land Capacity Sheets
        • Bellingham
        • Birch Bay
        • Blaine
        • Cherry Point
        • Columbia Valley
        • Everson
        • Ferndale
        • Lynden
        • Nooksack
        • Sumas
    • Appendix C -- Land Capacity Monitoring Methodology
    • Appendix D -- Public Participation
    • Appendix E -- City and Community UGA Proposals (June 9, 2009) -- see below

Urban Area	Documents (pdf)
Bellingham	Proposal Comment Letters Powerpoint
Birch Bay	Proposal Powerpoint
Blaine	City Council Resolution Proposal Map Trillium Comments -- West UGA Powerpoint
Cherry Point	Proposal Powerpoint
Columbia Valley	Proposal Powerpoint
Everson	Proposal Maps Appendices Powerpoint
Ferndale	Proposal Powerpoint
Lynden	Proposal Powerpoint
Nooksack	Proposal Maps Powerpoint
Sumas	Proposal Maps Powerpoint

Draft Environmental Impact Statement