MNAC Meeting Notes

July 17, 2013
from Diana McKinney, Puget Neighborhood Representative on the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee (MNAC)

1. Waterfront /ASB public Walks
2. Downtown Planning
3. University Ridge Development 
4. Infill Toolkit
5. Neighborhood Announcements

Waterfront District proposals - Public Events this week

From City of Bellingham

Next week’s Waterfront Information Fair at City Hall and a City Council overview presentation kick off several weeks of opportunities for people to learn more about proposed plans to redevelop Bellingham’s downtown waterfront.

Fred Meyer parking lot resurface & pollution control

One of the ways in which we can improve our neighborhood is by serving as "eyes and ears" to alert city government officials of items of possible concern.

Fred Meyer plans to resurface the asphalt parking lot in July. This is being done in conjunction with their interior remodeling work.

"Milky" water reported in Padden Creek

From City of Bellingham

A citizen walking through Fairhaven Park reported seeing discolored water in Padden Creek at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2013. City stormwater and Fire crews responded and spent most of the night attempting to find the source and type of material.

Voluntary watering schedule encouraged

From City of Bellingham

From June 1 to September 15, the City of Bellingham and other Whatcom Water Alliance members request:

• Residents with odd-numbered street addresses to limit outdoor watering to Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. 
• Residents with even-numbered street addresses water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 
• Mondays are non-watering days to allow reservoirs to recharge after the weekend. 

Happy 4th of July -- How to be patriotic in your neighborhood

Democracy inspires & requires us to roll up our sleeves.  While world-wide issues get all the media coverage, very often it is the local issues that make a difference in our daily lives.  We invite you to make a difference & join us in the community work of the Puget Neighborhood Association.

University Ridge public comments received & posted

Many comments (some with photos) have been sent in to the City regarding the proposal.  They are posted on the City website.  See below for more information about the process & how you can provide further input at the public hearing.

From the summer of 1787

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Bellingham Parks Volunteer Summer Work Parties!‏

From Bellingham Parks & Recreation

Summer is just around the corner and we are excited about our summer work parties! Michelle Baragona, our wonderful AmeriCorps member, will be leading the summer work parties and has selected two special parks to focus on for the summer.

Library survey for DIY'ers

From Bellingham Public Library newsletter

New Library DIY Collection Community Survey

As part of Bellingham Public Library's goal to inspirecommunity discovery and collaboration, we are  working to develop a unique do-it-yourself (DIY) collection at our Central Library, and would greatly appreciate your support.

University Ridge application "complete" -- Comment Period begins

Click here for the link to the city website for the University Ridge application, documents, plans and public comments.

Park, recreation and open space plan update - public workshop

From City of Bellingham Parks & Rec

The public is invited to help shape the update of the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PRO Plan), a six-year plan that analyzes the supply and demand for park and recreation services and facilities within Bellingham city limits and the urban growth area.

The workshop is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at the Bloedel Donovan Park Multi-Purpose Room, 2214 Electric Ave. It is an opportunity to provide input on priorities for parks and recreation in the coming years.

PNA Meeting Added - Water Meters & University Ridge

Tuesday, June 18 - 7:00pm
Community Room at Moles Funeral Home
Pizza & Social - 6:30

Agenda
*Due to the timeliness of these topics, this meeting has been added to the schedule to provide Puget neighbors with more information.

1) Water Meter Installation - Public Works staff will present a brief overview of the water metering program and answer questions.  Meter installation will begin in the Puget neighborhood in mid-July. (Scroll down to next post for more info)

2) University Ridge Updates

Water Meters -- Coming to your residence in July

Water Meters are now being installed for single-family homes in Bellingham (unless you already had one installed during the pilot project several years ago).  Also, businesses & multi-family residences are already metered.

The PNA will hold an additional meeting in June to provide further information for you.  Also, the City will soon be sending you a letter and page of "Frequently Asked Questions and Answers" document in the mail.  Metering crews will be in the Puget neighborhood starting meter assembly box installations in mid-July.

I-5 Bridge Info & Links

From City of Bellingham

Detours are in place around the collapsed Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River to help handle the more than 70,000 vehicles who use that stretch of freeway each day.

University Ridge variance request

From the City of Bellingham website: 

"Ambling University Development Group has submitted a variance request from Bellingham Municipal Code 20.38.050 B.4 (a) to increase the 35-foot height requirement for structures located within 200 feet of the proposal's site plan boundary adjacent to residential single zoned land. 

Transportation projects - May 20 hearing

Posted: May 3, 2013 11:00:15 AM PDT from City of Bellingham

Bellingham City Council will hold a public hearing to gather input on the 2014-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at 7 p.m. May 20 in the City Council Chambers.
(See page 5 for summary of 2013 construction projects and pages 6-7 for 2014 budgeted projects.)

University Ridge Update

Message from Gaythia, PNA President:

I spoke with City of Bellingham planner Kathy Bell by phone yesterday (Thursday, May 2nd) and confirmed that the information turned in by the developers will be available to any interested member of the public by Monday afternoon.

University Ridge - neighbor actions

UPDATE - The PNA Board submitted a letter to the City Planning Department regarding the University Ridge application.  You can find it in the Public Comment section on the City website. It is in the section for June 20-21 correspondence.  Click here to go to the City page.
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*At this time the PNA has not taken a position on the University Ridge development. We provide members with information about any activities related to the neighborhood & this development. The following message is from a member.

In conjunction with some residents of the Puget and Samish neighborhoods, I am organizing a group to oppose the development known as University Ridge. This dormitory/apartment complex for students in Bellingham is to be located between Nevada St. and Puget St., wholly within the Puget neighborhood boundaries.

Public Hearing - Project on Verona Street

The City Hearing Examiner has a public hearing scheduled for May 8th regarding several projects -- one in the Puget Neighborhood: