Suryanarayana

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The GMA and the current comprehensive plan require open space corridors within and between UGAs useful for recreation, wildlife habitat, trails and connection of critical areas. (RCW 36.70A.160 and Policy LU-59) Your November 2024 Land Use Chapter Update identifies shifting an area between Bellingham and Ferndale from UGA to UGA Reserve. We identified an open space corridor in our letter dated August 23, 2024 and previously commented that we believe designating it as a UGA Reserve would be inconsistent with the need for a wildlife habitat corridor and connection of critical areas. See attached map indicating an area we believe should be studied for removal from the UGA and designation as an open space corridor.

We would like this update to the Bellingham Plan to identify the vision for where growth will go beyond this planning period. For a good example, we turn to Boulder, Colorado where in 1959, the community established the “Blue Line” restricting water lines from being extended into the foothills. Developers found loopholes, so the community passed a sales tax in 1967 to create an open space greenbelt (“Green Line”) around the community, resulting in over 45,000 acres of open space and 148 miles of trails within the city.

Where is Bellingham’s Green Line?

Your draft growth strategy appears to break through the Green Line identified in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (see attached Open Space Map). The Open Space Plan clearly identifies open space at the outside edges of the Urban Growth Area, including the North and South Bellingham UGA Reserve areas you are considering adding for urban growth.

We have created two maps (attached) which insert conceptual plans from Caitac, USA . Caitac’s proposal would impact designated Open Space Corridors, would be adjacent to Agricultural Lands and Rural Study Areas, and would merge with Limited Areas of More Intense Rural Development (LAMIRDs). Expansion into the UGA Reserve would have less conflicts, but a vision of open space outside the UGA should preclude their expansion of urban development to Smith Road.

If Bellingham expands the UGAs, we encourage specific language in the Plan to designate a “Green Line” where open space or resource lands are permanently protected.

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