Whatcom County Planning Commission

**Lauren Clemens, Climate Action Manager, Whatcom County Public Works:** Presented staff responses to prior commission questions on Chapter 12. Indicated that Commerce review of the GHG sub-element by November 1 is not feasible and the county is seeking a flexible comment process. Supported the commission's direction on tribal consultation language and wetlands mitigation banking. **Matt Aamot, Senior Planner, Whatcom County Planning and Development Services:** Facilitated the UGA work session. Provided technical context on UGA reserve history (created by Whatcom County in the 2009 review cycle, not required by GMA), LAMIR D zoning mechanics, and the Columbia Valley subarea plan history. Advised the commission that the rural forestry-to-commercial forestry motion would require additional SEPA analysis if applied broadly. **Mark Personius, Planning Director, Whatcom County:** Clarified that under GMA, the County Council holds final authority to set UGA boundaries, though boundaries must be coordinated and consistent with city plans. Advised withdrawing the Blaine motion in favor of waiting for the scheduled October 9 public hearing. **Michael Cerbone, Community Development Director, City of Ferndale:** Clarified that Ferndale's position was flexibility: the city wants its UGA reserves included, but is willing to defer to a later planning cycle if the commission prefers. Ultimately expressed willingness to proceed either way. **Carson Cortez, City Planner, City of Sumas:** Presented Sumas's land capacity analysis showing a deficit of 520 housing units within the current UGA and a current population capacity of only 242 additional residents. Indicated the city targets 10–20 units per acre in its high-density residential zone for proposed UGA expansion areas. Confirmed the southernmost expansion area is on actively farmed land; the western area is largely pasture, trees, and hobby farms. Could not commit to a compromise reduction in expansion size without City Council direction. **Chris Behee, Planner, City of Bellingham:** Presented a detailed comparison of Bellingham's north and south UGA reserve areas. Advocated strongly for the north area as the appropriate expansion location based on housing capacity (1,300 vs. 225 units), terrain, transit feasibility, employment proximity, and fiscal capacity. Stated the city opposes any motion to revert its north area or add the south area to UGA status. Noted that the city's updated annexation policies, recently approved by its planning commission, would require dense urban development — not suburban sprawl — in any annexed areas. **Commissioner Rud Browne:** Consistently opposed motions to restrict UGA expansion into agricultural land, arguing that cities surrounded entirely by agricultural land have no meaningful alternative. Supported the LAMIR D middle housing amendment and the Columbia Valley industrial designation. Raised technical concern about water main costs for agricultural land offset ($1.5 million per mile). Frequently cited the 2021 Sumas flood as context for the importance of directing growth away from flood plains…

**Commissioner Van Dalen, on the Sumas emission baseline issue:** "Is that because of Intelco closing? And if that if that is then 2022 is probably a bad baseline. 2017 is probably better for us because there's actively recruiting and I think maybe somebody's even going into that facility or trying to so. I wouldn't count any of those savings that we got. Maybe the one that goes in is less than in Telco, but it's still going to be a big chunk. So if we are basing off 2022, the second that goes …

**Chapter 12 — Climate Element:** - Policy 12.9.5 changed from "revise" to "consider revising" the Flow Control Ordinance's construction and demolition waste exemption. - Policy 12.2.1 changed from "implement" to "continue to implement" state building code requirements. - Policy 12.2.9, which advocated for building code updates to increase energy efficiency, **deleted**. - New Policy 12.11.7 **added**: "Support the creation of Whatcom County wetlands mitigation banks that can be used by public and private development." - Policy 12.3.1 tribal consultation language **narrowed**: tribes to be consulted when applying for Climate Commitment Act funds are now limited to those "with treaty rights or interests in the project area." - Chapter 12 **forwarded to County Council** — first time it advances beyond the Planning Commission in this update cycle. **UGA Proposals:** - **Sumas:** The southernmost proposed UGA parcel (currently agricultural, proposed to convert to UGA) will be recommended to remain in agricultural designation. All other Sumas UGA/UGAR pro…

--- ### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Planning Commission held a special meeting and work session on September 30, 2025, running from approximately 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 5280 Northwest Drive in Bellingham. The commission focused on two major agenda items: a continuation of their review of Chapter 12 (Climate) of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update, and a work session on Urban Growth Area (UGA) proposals from cities across the county. The meeting resulted in five amendments to the climate chapter and a series of votes on UGA-related motions, with several passing and several failing. --- ### Key Terms and Concepts **Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan):** A long-range planning document required by Washington State law that guides a county or city's land use, housing, transportation, and other development decisions over a 20-year planning horizon. Whatcom County is currently conducting its periodic update to the 2016 plan. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** A boundary established under the Growth Management Act (GMA) that designates where urban-level development is expected and where cities may expand. Development within UGAs is served by urban infrastructure such as water, sewer, and roads. **UGA Reserve (UGAR):** A designation created by Whatcom County (not required by state law) that identifies land adjacent to a UGA that may be considered for future urban expansion in a later planning cycle. It does not carry a population allocation. **Growth Management Act (GMA):** Washington State law (RCW 36.70A) that requires cities and counties above certain population thresholds to plan for growth, protect critical areas and resource lands, and coordinate planning across jurisdictions. **Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Sub-element:** A new required element of comprehensive plans under House Bill 1181 (2023). It requires jurisdictions to adopt goals and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and per capita vehicle miles traveled. **LAMIRD (Limited Area of More Intense Rural Development):** Areas in rural parts of a county where a small amount of more intensive development already exists and is allowed to continue. Under state law, these areas must be limited in size and cannot be expanded to include new areas. **Wetlands Mitigation Bank:** A system where wetland areas are restored, created, or enhanced at one location to offset wetland impacts caused by development elsewhere. Mitigation is typically organized by watershed sub-basin. **Climate Commitment Act (CCA):** Washington State legislation (2021) that established a cap-and-invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Local governments applying for CCA funds must consult with federally recognized tribes that have treaty rights or interests in the project area. **Menu of Measures:** A guidance tool developed by the Washington Department of Commerce that provides example policy language for jurisdictions to use in developing their climate elements. Local governments are encouraged to adapt these measures to local conditions. **Middle Housing:** A range of housing types between single-family homes and large apartment buildings — including duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes — that are encouraged by recent state legislation to increase housing capacity and affordability. --- ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kelvin Barton | Planning Commission Chair | | Rud Browne | Planning Commissioner | | Daniel Dunne | Planning…