The Bellingham City Council approved the recommendations of the Bellingham Planning commission to extend the growth area and to allow more homes in those growth areas. The new growth areas that have been added are:

Most of these areas will have an average of 14 homes per acre and the area east of Meridian will include both industrial and commercial uses. A formal recommendation by the Bellingham City Council is scheduled from Monday May 15. Whatcom County Council still has the final say since the growth areas are currently under Whatcom County jurisdiction.

Much of the new growth will be in urban villages while leaving the current neighborhoods in Bellingham city alone. Two members of Bellingham City Council, Joan Beardsley and Barbara Ryan disagreed with the recommendations since they are in favor of more city infilling before sprawling out.