Request for a Facilitated Public Forum to Review the Fairhaven Harbor Project

COALITION OF SOUTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOODS

Edgemoor / Fairhaven / Happy Valley / South / South Hill

‘Planning together to protect our community quality of life’

December 11, 2006

Timothy Stewart, AICP, Director, Planning and Community Development
City of Bellingham
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

RE: Changed Plans for Fairhaven Harbor Development

Subject: Request for a Facilitated Public Forum to Review the Fairhaven Harbor Project

Dear Planning Director Stewart:

During the last few years, many citizens living in our area of Bellingham have become increasingly concerned with the direction of the City’s ‘growth management requirement’ to create infill and density development within existing neighborhoods.

Two years ago, these concerns led to the formation of the Coalition of Southside Neighborhoods (CSN), consisting of Edgemoor, Fairhaven, Happy Valley, South and South Hill Neighborhoods. We share the same geographic location, and much of the Padden Creek Watershed and/or contribute to the watershed’s stormwater impacts. We consider Fairhaven Village to be our ‘urban village’ and the Fairhaven waterfront to be our access to Bellingham Bay.

As you may know, a few years ago, before CSN was formed, the 2004 Bellingham Community Forum on Growth Management was attended by many from our neighborhoods. They worked with City planners to make thoughtful determinations about how to manage growth. Yet, seemingly unplanned development continued apace, without taking into consideration the recommendations we consider to be essential to good planning:

(Page 73.) “establish design guidelines for areas that are particularly sensitive, for development types that are particularly controversial and for all urban village sites...”

( Page 75.) “...This recommendation suggests that the City....look at development in terms of its impact on the urban form and not on just its building design or proposed use.”

( Page 79.) “Urban village master plans..... The City is now in a position to lead by example, creating master plans for urban villages that involve the community and demonstrate how the infill design approach can apply to unique situations in Bellingham.”

( Page 80.) “Zoning updates:...ensuring individual development projects contribute to the community’s overall urban form...”

On March 22, 2005, CSN wrote a letter to the City Council, the Planning Commission, City Administration and Planning Staff. In a “Detailed Statement of Concern”, CSN requested further discussion of transportation and planning issues, as they impact Fairhaven Village.

We understand that development has an important role to play in creating a vibrant place to live and work. However, we also know if not done correctly and carefully by a Planning Department that balances the desires of citizens and neighborhoods, development has the potential to damage the existing ‘built’ and natural environments. Additionally, we must preserve enough habitat buffer area to sustain the natural stream system functions, while infilling neighborhoods.

The Bellingham Comprehensive Plan, 2006, Chapter 1: Framework Goals and Policies includes Waterfront Futures Group(WFG) Vision Statements, (p.F-12) ‘WFG Character Area 5, Fairhaven: “The vision for Fairhaven extends the pedestrian scale and character of the Fairhaven business district to the water.” This vision was adopted by Resolution 2005-04, and should have guided the proposed project.

We remain concerned that even in its latest iteration, the Fairhaven Harbor development does not match the Comprehensive Plan and WFG ‘vision for Fairhaven’, and has the potential to create adverse impacts to our urban village, waterfront, and Padden Creek. Without an Environmental Impact Statement for the project, the public has had little opportunity to consider what impacts from this development have been identified, and how they will be effectively mitigated.

Further, there has never actually been a public conversation about the complete project, and all of its potential impacts. Instead, over a two year period, the project was broken down into a multi-faceted permit process with comments and hearings limited to addressing certain portions. CSN envisions a new, open approach, in which the concerns and comments of all stakeholders are listened to and thoughtfully considered, as part of a careful decision-making process.

We believe the surrounding neighborhoods have a vital role to play in the planning process of Fairhaven Village. Therefore, before you make a determination about the Fairhaven Harbor development project, we strongly urge you take this opportunity to create a meaningful, inclusive community planning process for all projects.

We look forward to hearing from you. We are eager to get to YES!

Respectfully,

Pam Went, CSN Representative, Edgemoor Neighborhood

Steve Wilson, President, South Neighborhood

John Hymas, President, Happy Valley Neighborhood

Donna Auer, President, South Hill Neighborhood

Vince Biciunas, President, Fairhaven Neighborhood

Mail & Identity Theft in Edgemoor

Several residents of Edgemoor were recently the victims of major identity theft. A significant amount of money was wired from their credit union to an account in NJ. Just before the final wire was sent to the recipient's account, the credit union employee noted that the phone number was not listed on any of the customer's contact information. She called them and confirmed that they had not issued the transfer.

Because the wire was across state lines, and because of the large sum wired, the FBI is now involved. What we've learned is that the thief had their names, birth dates and possibly one maiden name. The FBI confirmed that there has been a significant number of these identity thefts in our area recently, but this was the first at this credit union. The FBI noted that in several of the cases victims had recently had their mailboxes broken into or damaged.

Here's the part that may involve more of you: Several weeks ago, one snowy day, this resident came out one morning and noted that there were swerving tire tracks in the road, all the way up Fieldston. They thought it was odd, very noticeable. Then, they noted the pattern lined up perfectly to each mailbox on their street. They also noted they did not receive any mail that day, which was very unusual. They now believe it was stolen and reported this to the police as part of the ongoing investigation into the identity theft. It is very important that all of us watch our mail very carefully and report anything suspicious regarding the mailboxes in our neighborhood.

You should also be extremely vigilant regarding any emails you receive asking for personal information. There is currently a very authentic looking, sophisticated email being sent, allegedly from Comcast, asking customers to update their account. The police informed us that it is "the best one they've seen". The email is bit questionable, but the website link that it sends you to has all the "bells and whistles" that would make you think it is Comcast. Once you enter your personal information, a criminal has it.

Please be aware of identity theft and take measures to protect yourself. Shred documents containing personal information and take mail containing checks directly to the Post Office. Be certain the person or company you give out personal information to are legitimate. Someone doesn't have to get in to your home to steal from you...

2007 Focus on Updating the Edgemoor Neighborhood Plan

The Edgemoor Neighborhood Plan, written in 1981, has not been updated in 25 years. The ENA Board is considering a proposal to make the update of the Edgemoor Neighborhood Plan the major focus of ENA meetings in 2007. A Neighborhood Plan committee has been formed and work will begin after the holidays. If you would like to be on the Edgemoor Neighborhood Plan Update committee, send an email to ENA.

Annual ENA Board Meeting and Elections

The Edgemoor Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting was held on November 2, 2006 at Lairmont Manor. The meeting was publicized on the website, in the monthly newsletter, and our folding sign was up at the corner of Hawthorn, Chuckanut, and Park Ridge road for several days prior to the meeting. It could have been the windy, rainy weather conditions or lack of interest, or both, but the meeting was poorly attended. Elections were held and we are presently without a President and Vice-president to run the organization, so we shall rotate meeting facilitation among the remaining board members until these positions are filled. A decision was made to have another election at the next general meeting, which will be on February 1, 2007.

Our focus for 2007 will be to update the Edgemoor Neighborhood Plan, so committee members are needed to assist co-chars, John Stephens and Marty Nickerson with the planning process. We have new Safety Committee co-chairs, Don Miles and Brad Johnson, who plan to continue to offer "Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25" signs for sale and encourage Edgemoor residents to participate in the Block Watch program. The Hospitality Committee needs volunteers to assist at meetings and plan our annual summer picnic. The Communications Committee has a new co-chair, Pam Bakke, who will be helping Kathy Kaiser to get the word out about meetings and important issues. The Growth and Land Use committee will be inactive until someone volunteers to chair the committee.

In January, ENA will send an announcement about the February ENA Meeting to all residents of Edgemoor along with the 2007 ENA Membership Dues statement. If you are interested in participating in your neighborhood association, this is the time to sign up for a committee. It is a great way to connect with your neighbors and become informed about issues in our local community.