Good morning, Bellingham! It’s January 14th 2025! We’ve got a lot to unpack, Bellingham. A tragic domestic incident in Custer over the weekend left one man dead and another facing serious charges. On a brighter note, City Council tackled parking reform last night, with big ideas to free up space (and hopefully some cash) for new housing projects. But first, the events this week.

Today’s Events:

• [FREE] Little Storytime In-Person: Tuesday the 14th @ 10AM, 10:30AM and 11AM. For children ages birth - 3 (chaperoning their an adult partner). Details.

• [FREE] Aslan Depot Jazz Night: Tuesday 14th @ 8PM (21+). Details.

This Week’s Must-Dos:

• [SOLD OUT] Ski Tuning Workshop – Wednesday the 15th @ 7PM $20. This one is FULL, so here is your reminder to get the next slot. Feb 19th @7PM - Link for February’s session here.

• Arrested Development Trivia @ Mallard Ice Cream: It’s the final countdown! This Thursday, January 16th, at 7 PM, Mallard Ice Cream is throwing their last-ever "Arrested Development" trivia night. Grab your Blue Man Group, brush up on your Bluth-isms, and head to 1323 Railroad Avenue for a night of laughs, ice cream, and maybe a little light treason. Details

• [FREE] Movie Night @ Backcountry Essential (1417 N State St.): Thursday 16th @ 6:15pm. Two documentaries: Ivy Eyes: A short documentary by Whatcom Million Trees Project and Common Ground: how sustainable farming can heal both our planet and our communities.

Homicide in Custer: Investigation Underway

Late Saturday night (Jan. 11), the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic disturbance on Valley View Road in Custer that took a tragic turn.

Deputies arrived to find 52-year-old Angel Rodriguez deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses say the incident began as a heated argument between Rodriguez and 43-year-old Valentin Rivera, reportedly over stopping Rodriguez from driving while intoxicated. Things escalated, and Rivera allegedly shot Rodriguez during the altercation.

But that’s not all—Rivera also faces charges of assaulting two others at the scene. Both were treated by medical personnel, with one transported to the hospital for further care.

Rivera was medically cleared at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center before being booked into Whatcom County Jail on some heavy charges:

• Murder 2nd Degree

• Assault 2nd Degree – Domestic Violence

• Assault 4th Degree – Domestic Violence

Facebook post from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office here.

Winter Shelters

The Whatcom County Council approved a lease with Lutheran Community Services to host a severe weather shelter at 925 N. Forest Street. A huge thank-you to Cascade Home Cleaning, who clean this severe weather shelter and sponsor this newsletter! They are the folks who keep our homes sparkling while we tackle our busy lives.

• Open from 4 pm to 9 am. 

• Check-in from 4 pm to 9 pm.

• Lights out from 10pm-6am

• Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The space can hold approximately 70 people.  

Full Winter Shelter details here.

Parking Reform Takes the Stage at City Council

Last night’s City Council meeting (Jan. 13) was buzzing with passionate discussion as Bellingham debated a major step forward: eliminating parking minimums across much of the city. The interim ordinance, pitched as a way to unlock housing potential and address environmental goals, sparked plenty of conversation from residents, experts, and council members.

Key Takeaways from the Meeting:

• What’s Happening: The proposed ordinance would remove parking mandates for new developments, allowing builders to decide how much parking to include based on market demand.

• Why It Matters: Advocates say this will lower construction costs, increase housing supply, and help meet climate goals. But critics are concerned about infrastructure gaps and whether this will address housing affordability for Bellingham’s most vulnerable.

What You Missed:

Mayor Lund, attending remotely due to illness, reminded everyone that this ordinance is a temporary measure. The city plans to evaluate its impact over the next year, refining the policy before making it permanent. Council members voiced concerns about equity, infrastructure, and public perception, but all agreed on one thing: parking reform is long overdue.

Public commenters packed the meeting to share their thoughts:

• Supporters argued that parking minimums are outdated, wasteful, and hinder housing production.

• Critics highlighted the need for better infrastructure and affordability measures, urging the city to address these issues alongside parking reforms.

I dug into the ordinance so you don’t have to — here’s 3 Things You Need to Know About the Parking Ordinance:

1. No More Minimum Parking Requirements: Developers will no longer need to provide a set number of parking spaces for new projects. This means more flexibility for housing developments and fewer acres of unused asphalt sitting around​​.

2. Bike Parking Standards Are Getting a Glow-Up: The ordinance includes consistent citywide standards for bike parking, ensuring there’s space for short-term visits (think errands) and long-term stays (commuters rejoice!)​.

3. Fast-Track Relief for Housing Projects: This interim ordinance is designed to give immediate flexibility for developments while the city studies long-term changes​​.

The One Nerdy Thing That’s Actually Kinda Cool:

• ADA (accessible) parking is still required under specific circumstances, but the ordinance actually aligns with state legislation (SB 6015) that limits oversized parking spaces. They’ve included some very detailed standards for bike racks – like ensuring you can lock both the frame and a wheel without risking a domino-style bike pile-up.

What’s Next?

Bellingham City Council approved the interim ordinance and it will go into effect Jan. 28, 2025, and, as an interim measure, will remain in effect until January 2026, unless extended. 

The full attachment:

Here is the full YouTube recording: