Developer’s Meeting with Neighborhood - January 3rd

Proposed Land Development for Hillside between Puget / Nevada / Consolidation / Marionberry

January 3, 2013

Carl Cozier Elementary School - Cafeteria

6:30 pm

Proposed development of a 164 unit student housing complex.  The site is the 11 acre hillside parcel above Nevada Street, below Puget Street and lying north of the projection easterly of Consolidation Avenue and the site currently designated for 176 mult-family units.

Project by Ambling University Development Group and locally represented by Ronald T. Jepson & Associates.

Baker Bus in Puget Neighborhood

Did you know the Baker Bus leaves from the Lincoln Creek Park & Ride on weekends & holidays?

City/Port waterfront redevelopment proposal moving forward

From City of Bellingham - 11/15/12
Port and City officials have made public the latest draft Waterfront District master plan and have scheduled meetings of the Waterfront Advisory Group, in anticipation of submitting a draft plan into the formal review process by the end of the year.

November PNA Meeting

Thursday, November 15

7:00 Neighborhood Meeting, 6:30 Social - with Food & Beverages
Community Room at Moles Funeral Home
(corner of Lakeway & Woburn/Yew)

Topics
1) James King, Director of B'ham Parks & Recreation Department

2) Neighborhood Updates

Hope to see you there!

Sehome Hill view restoration proposal

Board seeks input 

The Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors is seeking comment on a proposal to remove some trees and branches that are blocking views from the observation tower on top of Sehome Hill.

A public open house to review the view restoration proposal is planned for Nov. 8. Comments on the proposal may be submitted through Nov. 15.

Samish Crest Trail Update

The map shows two dashed lines.

The yellow dashed line indicates an existing foot path where we plan to place gravel as a maintenance activity. We plan to do this maintenance later this year (2012 or early 2013).

The magenta dashed line indicates a section of existing trail we are planning to improve. Construction is anticipated to begin May 2013, and we expect the work to take a month to complete.

Are you ready?

Those of us on the West Coast have received a strong reminder from the East Coast this past week of the importance of preparations in case of emergencies and disasters.

What if disaster struck us here? What would you do? What would your family do?

Now is a good time to get prepared. See below for easy steps.

Mayor's 2013 Budget

From the City of Bellingham:
Mayor's proposed budget based on Council direction, sound financial principles

Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville presented the Preliminary 2013 Budget to the Bellingham City Council tonight (Oct. 8, 2012), a proposed two-year financial plan guided by direction from the City Council and principles she developed with her leadership team.

Call for Artists - Downtown visions

Artists invited to imagine the future of downtown for City Hall exhibit

The City of Bellingham is seeking submissions for a temporary two-dimensional art show highlighting downtown Bellingham as imagined in the future.

In conjunction with the downtown planning effort that is currently underway, the Bellingham Arts Commission is seeking paintings, drawings, illustrations, renderings, manipulated photographs, two-dimensional collage, or any other two-dimensional art form depicting an imagined downtown. The intent of the show is to assist the community in picturing what downtown -- everybody's neighborhood -- could look like when human ingenuity, creativity and imagination are unrestrained.

Rain Gardens - Free Consultation Site Visits & Party Invite

 One of 12,000 Rain Gardens!

Rain gardens can prevent flooding, filter pollution and add beauty to your yard.

Working in collaboration with Stewardship Partners, WSU Master Gardener Rain Garden Mentors are available to provide FREE site visits and help you consider how a rain garden might fit into your yard.

Attempted Theft - Century Link on Fraser St.

From the Bellingham Herald:

Man allegedly tried to steal wire from Bellingham CenturyLink (on Fraser Street)

Permit Applications - Fred Meyer

Several  recent filings reported in the Bellingham Herald business blog are in or near the Puget Neighborhood:

Filed
- Lakeway Fred Meyer, a permit was filed to do $4 million in remodeling work.

Videos - State Candidate Debates

TVW has videos of statewide candidate debates.  

Follow these links for direct connections:

Bus Route Changes in Puget Neighborhood

Service Changes Start Sun, 9/23

Beginning Sunday, September 23, WTA will extend its service hours on existing Sunday routes. WTA will also increase evening frequency on two routes. Expanded service will be funded by the City of Bellingham’s Transportation Benefit District. 

Renovation at Poppe's - Lakeway Inn

The Bellingham Herald has reported:
"A $300,000 renovation was recently completed at Poppe's 360 Neighborhood Pub at Best Western Lakeway Inn in Bellingham."

Who Actually Votes?

Who actually votes in America? (via Votifi) There are less than 60 days until November 6th. Here is a snapshot of who actually votes in elections.

September's PNA Meeting -- City Scorecards

Tuesday, September 18
7:00 Neighborhood Meeting, 6:30 Social
Community Room at Moles Funeral Home
(corner of Lakeway & Woburn/Yew)

Nicole Oliver, I.T. Project and Training Manager at the City of Bellingham, will provide an interactive demonstration of the City of Bellingham's Performance Measures.  This vast database of 85 community and city metrics can be used in many ways to track over time how well the City, as well as the community, is doing at accomplishing the City Council-approved Legacies and Strategic Commitments.  These long-range goals include things like Clean Drinking Water, Safe and Prepared Community, and Access to Quality of Life Amenities.  

The Performance Measures, also called scorecards, are available to everyone on the City of Bellingham website at www.cob.org/metrics. Take a look in advance of her presentation and come with your questions.

Sexual assault suspect arrested

Bellingham Police asked for the public’s help last week in locating a suspect responsible for the sexual assault of a 25 year old Barista. On 8.25.12 at about 4:20 a.m, the victim was working at Cruisin Coffee located in the 1000 block of Lakeway Drive when the suspect entered the business and sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to fight off the attacker who was last seen walking across Lakeway Drive.

Celebrate Whatcom Water Weeks

Celebrate local water resources with Whatcom Water Weeks September 8-22. Through workshops, lectures, demonstrations, movies, parties, and tours, the two-week long event focuses on education and information about local Whatcom water resources. 

The City is sponsoring the following programs and events:

Over 1,000 boaters surveyed in effort to ward off invasive species

Since July 14, 2012, City and County staff have conducted over 1,000 boater surveys and visual boat inspections at the Bloedel Donovan Boat Launch in an effort to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to and from Lake Whatcom.

Bellingham Pedestrian Master Plan Approved

City Council approved the Bellingham Pedestrian Master Plan at their August 6 meeting in a 7-0 vote.

Send your ideas to the PNA Board

What topics would you like addressed at the next PNA General Meetings?

September 18^th & November 15^th

The PNA Board will meet August 26^th to plan the September meeting.

Send an email to info@pugetneighborhood.org with your ideas.

Car Prowl & Robberies

Neighborhood Alert

Downtown Planning - Public Workshops start August 14

Activities, workshops and tours continue during the coming months for people throughout Bellingham to shape the future of downtown. Eight events planned as part of the City's myDowntown planning process are designed to have community members identify actions for how the City and others should further invest in a vibrant, thriving downtown.

Upcoming events include creating recreational spaces using "parklets" and plazas, discussions on what it would take to open a downtown grocery or department store, "Placemaking" workshops (based on concepts developed by the Project for Public Spaces), and more!

12,000 Rain Gardens!

Prevent flooding, filter pollution, and add beauty to your yard with a rain garden. 

WSU Master Gardener Rain Garden Mentors are available to provide FREE site visits and help you consider how a rain garden might fit into your yard. 

47th & Consolidation

Property Variance Request & Decision

A public hearing was held July 26th before the Bellingham Hearing Examiner to gather information and make a decision regarding the variance application for reduced setbacks on a small lot at the corner of 47th and Consolidation.

Stop the spread of aquatic invasive species to Lake Whatcom

"Clean, Drain, and Dry" your boat to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. This is just one of many steps outlined by the Lake Whatcom Management Program this boating season to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to and from Lake Whatcom.

MNAC Notes

Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission

Notes from Puget Neighborhood Representative, Diana McKinney

June 20, 2012 meeting

Agenda:

Medical Marijuana - Update and Discussion

City’s Performance Measures

Neighborhood Updates

Nice Work Nevada St. Gardeners!

    

Proposed rezone protects Chuckanut Ridge

Mayor Kelli Linville is proposing the first step in creating a new community park -- the Chuckanut Community Forest -- with a rezone proposal before the Planning Commission in June.

City Begins Annual Street Maintenance Program

Beginning this week, Huizenga Enterprises, LLC, under contract with the City of Bellingham, will begin the annual crack sealing program.  Cracks will be sealed along portions of many City roadways.

Streets affected during the week of June 11-15 include James St. (Alabama St. to Texas St. and Iowa St. to Kentucky St.), Lincoln Ave. (Meador Ave. to Gladstone St.), Nequalicum Ave. (Eldridge Ave. to Lindberg St.), and Yew St. (Lakeway Dr. to Princeton Ct.).

National Night Out Against Crime 2012

The 29th annual National Night Out Against Crime (NNO) is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7th 2012. 

Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities. In all, over 37 million participated in the National Night Out 2011. This year, we want to see that number grow.

National Night Out is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
• Generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and
• Send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back

Whatcom Food & Farm Finder

The annual comprehensive guide to local farms, fisheries, eateries, markets, and more. This is your resource for finding the most nutritious, freshest, and flavorful products and ingredients made in Whatcom County.

New & Improved in the Neighborhood

Recently spotted -- New fence erected to conceal garbage containers. 

Samish Crest Trail Update

Trail improvement on Bellingham's Samish Hill on hold

Published: May 21, 2012 in the Herald

The city Parks and Recreation Department temporarily halted a $312,000 trail project on Samish Hill, to re-evaluate whether the trail as proposed is money well spent.

Bike Month highlighted by Bike To Work And School Day: May 18

May is National Bike Month, and in Whatcom County we celebrate with a calendar of events  The Bike To Work And School Day events make it difficult to stay off your bike! Here’s what you have to look forward to on Friday, May 18.

Lake Whatcom Then and Now - May 19

Join the Institute for Watershed Studies (IWS) and the Lake Whatcom Management Program (LWMP) education team to celebrate 50 years of collaboration dedicated to Lake Whatcom. From 1-5 PM on Saturday, May 19 at the Bloedel Donovan Pavilion, enjoy historic videos and photos, educational displays, children's activities, water quality monitoring, refreshments and a look at the invasive Asian Clam.

Backyard Habitat & Native Flora Fair - May 19

Visit the Backyard Habitat & Native Flora Fair 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at the Fairhaven Village Green to learn about attracting wildlife into your yard and creating a beautiful place for you and the wildlife to enjoy.

Future transportation projects focus of May 21 hearing

Bellingham City Council will hold a public hearing to gather input on the 2013-2018 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at 7 p.m. May 21 in the City Council Chambers.

Each year, the City is required to produce a prioritized list of capital projects needed to improve the transportation system over the next six years, (consistent with the Transportation Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan), in order to qualify for funding from federal and state agencies. The DRAFT 2013-2018 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) lists capital improvement projects for Bellingham's multimodal transportation network, funding sources for each project, and anticipated timing of construction if funding can be secured.

Follow the Link for:  Changes from the 2012-2017 TIP 

Summer Rides

Summer Rides are easy social outings on two wheels. Roll with friends and meet new friends while discovering Whatcom County’s best backroads and hidden bikeways. Summer Rides each feature a different fun theme and cover easy routes of around seven miles.

Here are the rest of the Summer Rides for May:

Pet Owners Invited

Pets & Creeks Info Meeting
Care about creeks?  Come meet your neighborhood pet owners and learn how you can help us protect Whatcom Creek from harmful bacteria.  Meeting attendees will receive pet deals at Clark's Feed and Seed, Whatcom Co-op, and Petco as well as a free dog leash bag dispenser from Petsmart or the City of Bellingham.  Come to the meeting in your neighborhood! 


Follow the Link for dates & times

Neighborhood Block Watch Update

May Newsletter from the Bellingham Police Department

How to Call 911

Sounds simple right? But in some cases, it has been our experience that most people are uncomfortable when calling 911.

When should I call? What do I say? What can I expect from 911?

These questions and so much more will be answered for you by a 911 Dispatcher with years of experience (and interesting stories). You will get a rare opportunity to listen to some 911 tapes. This two hour training session is being offered free of charge to the first 40 to sign up.

Class will be offered June 2 in the BPD training room (located off of C St) from 10:00 am—12:00 pm. If you are interested in attending please contact Officer Mark Young @ myoung@cob.org.

Newsletter continued --

• A Parent’s Guide to Social Networking
• National Night Out – August 7

Waterfront Plans Update

City, Port policy makers schedule joint waterfront update May 3

City and Port policy makers will hear a status report on waterfront master planning and related waterfront development efforts at a joint meeting planned for May 3, 2012.

Ped Plan Open House & Draft Available Now

Dear Interested Citizens, 

It's here! The public draft of the Pedestrian Master Plan is ready for your viewing here or cob.org/walk. We've scheduled an open house on May 15 to provide detailed information and collect comments. The public comment period is open until May 29. 

Water Main Flushing in Puget Neighborhood

Annual water main flushing continues

From Monday, May 7, 2012 through Friday, May 25, 2012 the following areas will be flushed:

Boulevard Park Shoreline Design

City seeks input on Boulevard Park shoreline design at May 9 meeting

Bellingham Parks & Recreation is seeking input on the design of shoreline improvements at Boulevard Park. The shoreline is eroding away as a result of ineffective shoreline armoring. Proposed improvements include removing concrete rubble along portions of the shoreline, creating a sand & gravel beach, and placing rocks below the high tide mark.

Sustainable Connections: Cascade Cuts Plant Sale

Cascade Cuts
Sustainable Connections:
Cascade Cuts Plant Sale
Saturday, May 19, 9 am-4 pm
632 Montgomery Road (King Mountain neighborhood)

Calling all Summertime Water Users

RE-Sources for Saving Time and Money

As the City turns to mandated water metering, individuals are turning to rainwater irrigation for their lawns & gardens. For Lake Whatcom watershed residents living within the city limits, the City offers Homeowner's Incentives for individuals who complete projects on their property that reduce runoff and pollution entering the lake, such as lawn removal and replacement.

Local Petitions

Currently in circulation in Bellingham.
For your information. Posting here does not imply endorsement by the PNA or the PNA Board.

MNAC Meeting Notes

Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission

April 18, 2012

Topics

• Quiet Zones for Railroad Traffic
• Neighborhood Updates

Airport Master Plan Community Meetings April 19

Two Public Sessions Will Include Presentations and Community Comments

Everyone is invited to take part in community meetings about the future of the Bellingham International Airport from noon-1:30 p.m. and from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 19. Both meetings will be in the Harbor Center Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Avenue. The meetings will include the same information.
 

Post Point Wastewater Plant Open House

You are invited to pre-construction open house on wastewater plant improvements

The City of Bellingham will host a pre-construction open house featuring final plans and construction details for planned Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements, scheduled 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2012 at Fairhaven Middle School Commons Area, 110 Parkridge Road.

Home Rehab Loans for B’ham

In these tough economic times, it is getting harder to find financial help with home renovation projects.  The city offers a program that might help! 

Ski to Sea Volunteer Opportunities

Here are the opportunities and locations for volunteering: Race Day Areas (May 27):

Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission - Meeting Notes

MNAC Notes

March 21, 2012

This was one of the most information-crammed MNAC sessions I’ve attended.  I hope I do it justice by summarizing things.  As always, if you have any questions, you can contact me at any time.

What's in the photo?

For the answer and lots more news, click on the Read More link below:

• Water Meters
• Upcoming Planning Notices
• Environment Element in the Comprehensive Plan
• Mayor’s Update

Haggen Rezone Request

Public Hearing

7:00 pm

March 29

Planning Commission, City Hall

Rezone and boundary-line adjustment requested by Haggen in the Fairhaven and Happy Valley Neighborhoods.

Materials for the Planning Commission meetings can be found at http://www.cob.org/web/commsnl.nsf at least one week before the meeting date.

New Environmental Policies for City Plan

Meeting materials for the April 12, 2012 Planning Commission public hearing regarding the new proposed Environment Element Chapter for the Comprehensive Plan have been posted to the web-site (http://www.cob.org/web/commsnl.nsf). Hard-copies are available at the Planning Department.

Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission

Meeting Notes

February 15, 2012

Greetings, fellow Puget Neighborhood residents!  We are going to start reporting information about the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission (MNAC) meetings in our newsletters.  The commission is made up of 25 representatives from the Bellingham neighborhoods.  We meet monthly to share information about what’s going on in our neighborhoods and to receive information from the city.

Mayor Kelli is planning to chair the meetings herself.  She is working hard to get up to speed on everything and stated that she is committed to MNAC and appreciates the efforts we put in to provide a conduit of information between the City and its neighborhoods.  We spent some time discussing what we feel our roles and responsibilities are, and that will continue to be a primary topic as Mayor Kelli gets settled in.

Bloedel Donovan Changes Proposed to Park Master Plan

Public Meeting
Thursday,
March 29
7pm
Bloedel Donovan Park Community Building

Looking for Ways to Serve Your Community?

Vacancies exist on several citizen committees that advise the City on important, high-profile topics, including Lake Whatcom watershed protection, community development and housing needs, and more.

PNA Board Elections

Here is a great opportunity to know what’s happening in the neighborhood.  Meet with the rest of the Board to help organize the PNA meetings and neighborly connections. Or, you perhaps have a neighbor who would be perfect.  Think about it.  Let us know!  You can place your name in nomination now.

Board meetings are a mere 5x during the year. (Neighborhood Meetings 4x.)  Elections occur at the Annual Meeting February 21, 2012.  For more information: info@pugetneighborhood.org) or at the General Meeting, Tuesday, February 21^st.

Join us!  Bill Radock, David Boyd, Diana & Greg McKinney, Marcia Ford, Mary Chaney, Therese Kelliher

Explore the Shore: A Cherry Point Field Trip

North Sound Baykeeper Events

Saturday, February 25th 

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

Cherry Point, Ferndale

Join the North Sound Baykeeper, the Surfrider Foundation, and the WWU Western Action Coalition out at Cherry Point to explore this beautiful aquatic reserve! 

Click here for more details.

The Markets Donates to the PNA - because of your votes!

The following letter was sent this week to the Puget Neighborhood Association from The Markets Stores

Congratulations!  I am enclosing a check for $150, Puget’s portion of our Lakeway Good Neighbors program.  This payment covers the period from September-December 2011.  Lakeway Good Neighbors continues to be a popular program with our customers, and we have begun our first “voting” period for 2012, which runs January 1-April 20, 2012.  You will receive the second payout in September.

Next PNA General Meeting

Initiative for Bellingham Community Bill of Rights

Tuesday
February 21st, 2012
7:00 pm
Moles Funeral Home -- Community Room

Phil Damon from the local group “Coal-Free Bellingham” will explain their initiative for a Bellingham Community Bill Of Rights. 

Phil will explore the ideas of Living Democracy at a community level.  This is a presentation about citizens’ rights to a voice in what happens in the place we live. 

Organizers expect to have petitions out for signing in a couple of weeks and hope to have the initiative on the November ballot.  For more information www.coal-free-bellingham.org

Snowshoe Fest

Celebrate the new trails that have been put in by the National Forest Service.

Saturday

March 17, 2012 – St. Patrick's Day

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Whatcom Events is sponsoring Snowshoe Fest 2012 to be held at Heather Meadows, at the Mount Baker Ski Area.  If you can walk, you can snowshoe! For additional information call: 360-746-8861

Wear your "green" and be entered into a special raffle drawing.  Free snowshoe rentals provided if you don't have your own.

Donate Your Old Appliances AND Help Job-Training Program

Appliance Depot
Local Job Training Non-Profit Needs Appliance Donations

Bellingham’s community owned job training and recycling program, Appliance Depot, has been supporting low income families and waste stream responsibility for six years. Their facility at 802 Marine Drive accepts working and non-working large household appliances to refurbish and fund a hands-on job skills education and assessment program. Appliance Depot sells their re-conditioned appliances with a 90-day warranty to support their efforts to help folks reenter the work force and get free of government assistance.

Watershed protection fee -- Council Public Hearing

Monday

January 23rd, 2012

7 pm

Bellingham City Council Chambers

The fee increase is a recommendation of the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board, a citizen advisory committee that advises City officials about the watershed land acquisition program and other lake protection efforts.

Under the board’s proposal, the current $5 per month watershed charge would increase to $12 per month for all flat-rate customers, with a comparable increase for metered customers. The proposal also includes expanding possible uses of the fund, designating approximately 30% of the total revenue for capital projects.

More information:

City website - http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1264/1282211/

Snow & Sidewalks

November 2011 PNA meeting update from Chad in Public Works:

The sidewalk snow removal ordinance is currently on hold.  The Public Works department will be making a concerted effort to improve our outreach and education of neighborhoods and business groups to keep them informed of the need to remove snow from sidewalks during snowfall events as a first approach.

The Backyard Homestead Class

with Alicia Wills

March 10, 2012 

Saturday 2-5pm

Learn about backyard chickens, water catchment, worm bins, composting, organic gardens, fruit and berries, and more.  Discussion time will help you to prioritize your first steps.  How to/resource handouts will send you home ready to create your own backyard homestead.

Whatcom Creek Trail Work Party

March 31, 2012
9am-noon

Puget Neighborhood Trail needs you!

Lend a hand with Bellingham Parks & Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) to improve habitat for salmon and other wildlife along Whatcom Creek. We will be removing invasive plants, planting natives and mulching around native trees and shrubs.

Recycle your CFL Bulbs & Batteries

Both Cordata & North Forest locations of the Food Co-op provide collection containers to recycle compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and batteries.

You can bring:

• Dry-cell standard household batteries – D-cell, C-cell, AA, AAA, 9-volt, and button cells. 
• Rechargeable battery packs from small electronics – cell phones, cameras, laptops, power tools, etc.