Part 3 of 10: Keeping Bellingham Beautiful

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Walk through downtown on a sunny Saturday and you’ll see what makes Bellingham special. Murals bursting with color, neighbors chatting outside coffee shops, kids running between library steps and farmers market stalls. That feeling you get? That’s community design in action.

As our city grows, the Community Design section of The Bellingham Plan focuses on protecting that feeling while making room for new ideas. It’s about making sure that as Bellingham adds more homes, businesses, and parks, it still looks and feels like the town we love.

First.. a quick partnership blurb..

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Why It Matters

Growth is coming. Roughly 30,000 more people by 2045. But the plan’s goal isn’t just to fit more people into the city. It’s to make sure every block and building adds to Bellingham’s charm, safety, and sense of place.

Community design guides how buildings look, how streets feel, and how public spaces connect us. Done well, it means more inviting sidewalks, better lighting, welcoming parks, and neighborhoods that encourage people to walk, talk, and enjoy where they live.

In short, it’s about making growth beautiful and human.

Why It’s Controversial

“Design” might sound simple, but it shapes everyday life. The height of a building can affect mountain views. A new road design can change traffic patterns. Even small things like how close a store sits to the sidewalk can change the character of a neighborhood.

Some residents worry that new development could make Bellingham feel like “anywhere USA.” Others fear that strict design rules could slow building projects or drive up costs.

The plan’s goal is to find middle ground growth that fits, looks good, and works well for the people who live nearby.

What’s in the Plan

The Community Design chapter builds on three main ideas: identity, design, and connection.

1. Preserving What Makes Bellingham, Bellingham

Every neighborhood from Fairhaven’s historic brick buildings to the Waterfront’s modern feel has its own personality. The plan calls for keeping that unique flavor while guiding future growth.

That means:

• Protecting historic buildings and cultural landmarks that tell Bellingham’s story.

• Encouraging local art, murals, and creative placemaking that celebrate community identity.

• Designing public spaces that feel inviting, like plazas, trails, and waterfront walkways.

This helps make sure new projects add to our city’s story, not erase it.

2. Designing Streets as Places, Not Just Roads

Community design isn’t only about buildings.It’s also about how we move through the city. The plan promotes turning streets into public spaces, not just lanes for cars.

That means:

• Adding trees, benches, and lighting to make walking and biking safe and comfortable.

• Designing sidewalk cafés, open plazas, and safe crossings that bring people together.

• Using street art, landscaping, and pedestrian-friendly layouts to slow traffic and boost local businesses.

The goal? Streets that feel like part of the neighborhood, not a barrier through it.

3. Smart and Beautiful Buildings

Bellingham’s design standards will focus on form and feel rather than cookie-cutter zoning rules.

This includes:

• Encouraging buildings that fit their surroundings whether that means modern apartments in urban villages or cozy cottages in older neighborhoods.

• Using materials and colors that reflect local character and natural beauty.

• Designing with sustainability in mind: green roofs, energy efficiency, and materials that last.

• Ensuring public areas like courtyards and plazas are accessible and welcoming to everyone.

When architecture meets community values, it creates spaces that last generations.

4. Connecting Nature and Neighborhoods

Design isn’t only about what we build.. it’s about what we keep. The plan emphasizes blending the built environment with natural features like trees, creeks, and open spaces.

Expect to see more:

• Green corridors that link parks and neighborhoods.

• Native landscaping that supports local wildlife.

• Community gardens and pocket parks tucked between buildings.

These touches make growth feel grounded in the landscape, not on top of it.

The Big Goal

The Community Design chapter sets out to shape a city that grows with grace and purpose. It’s about preserving the views, the gathering spots, and the character that make Bellingham feel like home while welcoming change that strengthens our sense of community.

As the plan puts it, good design helps people feel connected to nature, to their neighborhood, and to one another.

A Quick Glimpse Ahead

Coming next in our series: Facilities and Services. Ever wonder how the city plans for enough water, electricity, and schools as we grow? We’ll look at how Bellingham keeps the lights on, the taps running, and the fire trucks rolling as our community expands.