Part 1 of 10: Where We Grow from Here

Ever wonder who decides what gets built in Bellingham and where? From new apartments downtown to the shops popping up near Samish Way, it all ties back to one thing: land use.

The city’s new Bellingham Plan maps out how our town will grow over the next 20 years. It decides what goes where, how tall buildings can be, and how to make sure everyone has a good place to live, work, and play.

Why It Matters

Bellingham is growing. The city expects to reach about 135,800 people by 2045. That is nearly 30,000 more residents than today. With that comes more homes, more jobs, and more people moving around town.

If we plan carefully, we can make sure growth means more parks, safer streets, and walkable neighborhoods. If we do not, we risk more traffic, higher housing costs, and fewer green spaces.

Land use is how the city draws the map to make sure new growth fits together like a good puzzle instead of spilling out in every direction.

Why It’s Controversial

Change can be hard. Some people want to keep things the same, while others think Bellingham needs to grow up instead of out.

The plan says most new homes and shops should be built inside the city, not in the countryside. This keeps farms and forests safe, but it also means taller buildings and more people in some neighborhoods.

Some residents worry about losing quiet streets or more traffic on their block. Others see it as a way to bring more shops, transit, and housing choices closer to home.

What’s Inside the Land Use Plan

The plan covers six big ideas that shape how Bellingham will grow:

1. Clustering Growth

Instead of spreading out, Bellingham wants to grow closer together. That means new housing and businesses will be built near parks, schools, and bus lines that already exist.

By 2045, the city expects to add about 18,900 new homes and 21,000 new jobs.

• About 6,400 of those homes will be in urban villages like downtown and Fairhaven.

• The rest will be scattered around neighborhoods and along main streets where buses and shops already are.

This helps keep roads less crowded and saves money on things like water, sewer, and sidewalks because the city can use what it already has instead of building miles of new pipes and streets.

2. Urban Villages

Bellingham already has several urban villages: Downtown, Fairhaven, Barkley, Samish Way, Old Town, the Waterfront District, and the Fountain District.

Each of these areas will continue to grow with more apartments, offices, and shops built close together. Imagine being able to live, work, and grab coffee all within a few blocks.

The plan also mentions that new “mini-villages” could come to other parts of town that need more housing or shopping options.

3. Transit Corridors

The city is teaming up with the Whatcom Transportation Authority to focus new growth along major bus routes.

These “transit corridors” connect places like Downtown, Western, and Barkley. Buildings here will be taller and designed to make walking, biking, and taking the bus easy.

The city hopes that means fewer car trips, less traffic, and cleaner air.

4. Complete Neighborhoods

The plan wants every neighborhood to have the basics nearby:

• A small grocery or corner store

• Childcare or a park

• Safe sidewalks and bus stops

This makes it easier to walk instead of drive for everyday errands. It also brings people together and supports local businesses.

5. Protecting Nature and Water

Building too close to Lake Whatcom can harm water quality. That is why the plan keeps limits on new homes near the lake and protects trees, wetlands, and open spaces.

This means some areas will stay green while other areas, especially near bus routes, will see more new homes and businesses.

6. Keeping Land for Jobs

The plan protects industrial and commercial areas so Bellingham keeps space for jobs. Places near the airport and waterfront will stay focused on work, trade, and small manufacturing. That helps balance where people live and where they work.

Breaking Down the Numbers

Here’s what the next 20 years look like in simple numbers:

That means roughly one new home for every seven people moving to town.

The Big Goal

At its heart, the Land Use chapter is about keeping Bellingham beautiful, walkable, and sustainable as it grows. The city hopes to fit more people inside its current boundaries without losing the trees, trails, and views that make this place so special.

It is a careful balance: make room for the future, but protect what we love today.