It’s time to start over.  2005 was a year composed of both joys and sorrows, as is true of most of them, although it seems that I feel the ups and downs more keenly than I used to.  Even though the days simply follow one another as they always do, writing the year with a new last digit always seems like an opportunity for a new beginning.  So we make resolutions and we plan, and then at the end of the year we look back. 

Our team went through our annual process of looking back and planning ahead the week before Christmas.  As part of the looking back process we always want to know the sources for our business.  As usual, in 2005 most of our business came from people we know.  We may have worked with them before as a client, we may simply know them or they may have been sent to us by someone we know or have worked with in the past.

We consider this the highest compliment we can get and would ask you to consider it when you are looking for someone to help you or someone important to you buy or sell real estate.  If you have read our stories in the past you know a bit about us.  If you need a Realtor, we would appreciate the opportunity to interview; we think you will be glad you called.

May 2006 be a wonderful year for you and yours!

Growth. It was (and is) on the minds of residents and the city council this year as Ferndale, situated very close to Bellingham, and conveniently (due to the I-5) saw one of the biggest years of development with 175 building permits for new homes issued.

Key issues/moments this past year:

• The overburdened sewage system and the need for a new one.
• New sewage connection moratorium (originally a new permit moratorium - see previous post)
• Pioneer Plaza

Pioneer Plaza was perhaps the biggest issue as it was somewhat symbolic of growth trends and issues throughout the county. The big question is: do we prevent development in order to preserve our communities as they are right now, or do we deal with the fact that people will move here (whether we like it or not) and be prepared for it? Many proponents of the latter argument feel that it is better to plan ahead and be prepared in order to ensure that when the “inevitable” growth does come, it will happen in a way consistent with the communities present values. A major part of this is the new buzz word “urban village” which are high density communities with all of the necessities within walking distance. The main benefit of this grow up rather than out strategy is that it will preserve more natural land and areas.

Back to Pioneer Plaza - the proposed project is 100 acres of retail space (687,626 square feet), office space (234,361 square feet), 160 condos and parks. The most common concerns with this project are the increased traffic and that it will negatively affect downtown Ferndale businesses.

On the flip side, developers say that Ferndale has the lowest sales tax revenue in the county and this project would generate a lot of money in the city coffers. Furthermore, they feel that the project would draw more people to Ferndale for shopping who would in turn also shop in downtown Ferndale. Going back to the “growth is inevitable” argument, some supporters of Pioneer Plaza feel that it would be better to have one big development in the area that could adequately plan (and pay for) infrastructure such as streets, than to have multiple smaller projects on small plots over more time.

So there are the two sides. If I missed any arguments, on either side, please let me know.

Their first plan was rejected by the Blaine City Council. Now, Gepetto Properties LLC has filed a new plan that incorporates changes to address concerns stated by the city and community. The changes include removing 2 units and moving other things around in order to preserve views and address environmental impacts.

The Planning Commission will hold a hearing regarding the new proposal (the Blaine City Council agreed to review the new plan as soon as possible) on Thursday, February 9 at 7pm, at Blaine City Hall, 344 H St.

For more info, call 332-8311 or click here.

Want to know more about the proposed 23 story building in downtown Bellingham? Here is the Bay View Tower LLC website.

It has general info, photos, FAQ and discussion forums where you can leave your opinion.

Here is a digital rendering of what the the surrounding area will look like with the proposed new building.

Here are some sketches of the proposed new 3-10 story condo building that would have commercial and residential space.

Click on the image for a larger view.

9th & Harris

North Elevation

South Elevation

Hearings have been called by Michael Bobbink, Whatcom County Hearing Examiner.
Hearing Date: Wednesday, January 4
Where: Council Chambers, Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Ave.

About: Application to build an addition to Alderwood Elementary
Location: 3400 Hollywood Ave
Who: Bellingham School District
Time: 1:30pm

About: Application to use a private grass area as a 625 square foot helicopter landing pad.
Location: 9531 Garrison Road
Who: Jerry Hunter
Time: 1:40pm

About: Application for a single-family subdivision.
Lots: 5
Land: 14.2 acres
Location: 3421 Noah’s Way
Who: Pat Wheat
Time: 1:50pm

APPROVED

Critical Areas Ordinance

Request to change 15 acres from agricultural to residential use.
Location: 607 W. Third St.
Who: Kip Dunlap

Request to change 39 acres from agricultural to residential use.
Location: 501 Gillies Rd.
Who: Gerrit DeHoog

NOT APPROVED

Request to change 37 acres from future residential to future residential cluster use.
Location: 3382 Breckenridge Rd.
Who: Michael & Elena Gonser

Request to change 37 acres from future light industrial to residential cluster use.
Location: 3379 Breckenridge Road
Who: Nova Company Ltd.

Plan to annex 64 acres into the city.
Location: East of Breckenridge Road.

Other council decisions: Send the cluster-housing rules to a new planning commission or committee.

More info: 966-2531

About: Intent to annex land into Ferndale
Location: 6141, 6159, 6175 Church Road
Who: Ferndale School District
When: 6pm, Tuesday, January 3
Where: School District Administration Building, 6041 Vista Drive, Ferndale
More info: 384-4006

About: Request to change 20 acres from industrial to residential use.
Location: West of Mission Road
Who: Wilder Construction
When: 7:30pm, Tuesday, January 10
Where: Everson City Hall, 111 W. Main St.

For more info call 966-3411

About: Application to build
Units: 14 single family cottages
Location: 1168 Hughes Ave
Developer: Stonewood Construction LLC
When: 7pm, Thursday, January 12
Where: Blaine City Hall, 344 H St.

For more info, call 332-8311 or click here.