BACKGROUND
The Urban Fringe Subarea Plan was initially adopted in 1984, last updated in 1997, amended in 1999, 2004 and 2009. The Subarea Plan provides the policy framework for addressing the impacts and opportunities of growth in Bellingham’s Urban Growth Area (UGA), and the adjacent areas. The Plan addresses a number of topics, including plan development, public participation, land use, housing, density, the natural environment, open space, parks and recreation, transportation, utilities and other public services. Plan updates will be made in accordance with the Growth Management Act planning goals, the County-wide Planning Policies, the UGA goals and policies of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Bellingham’s Comprehensive Plan.
The 2004 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was intended to provide the basis for environmental review and evaluation of four alternative growth management scenarios for the City of Bellingham and the UGA.
SUBAREA PLAN UPDATE
The Whatcom County Council approved updates to the Bellingham Urban Fringe Subarea Plan in 2009 to comply with a WWGMHB decision. Below is a link to the updated plan.
Bellingham Urban Fringe Subarea Plan-Amended 2009
LINKS:
Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board Final Decision and Order Regarding the Sizing of the Bellingham UGA- Case # 08-2-0021c
GMA Goals & County-wide Planning Policies
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan
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