County to hold public comp plan meeting

The Whatcom County Planning Commission will hold a public meeting on December 12 regarding the upcoming comprehensive plan update, and is inviting the public to attend the crucial meeting.

The meeting will feature a work session by the nine-member commission regarding population and employment projections, with a specific focus on urban growth areas such as Birch Bay and Cherry Point.

The meeting will be held at the planning and development services northwest annex at 5280 Northwest Drive in Bellingham, beginning at 6:30 and will feature an opportunity for public comment before the work session begins.

Whatcom County’s comprehensive plan is required to be reviewed every 10 years according to state law, and is intended to, among other things, guide how unincorporated areas are able to develop in coordination with neighboring cities.

The most recent update, launched in 2024, is designed to assess and adjust the plan to address population growth, protecting natural resources, enhancing infrastructure, and ensuring housing affordability.

With an expected population increase in Birch Bay, the plan aims to balance growth with sustainability, making sure that development occurs in a way that protects the county’s rural areas and sensitive ecosystems, such as its wetlands, forests, and agricultural lands.

Birch Bay is the most populated unincorporated area in Whatcom County, and the county council granted $150,000 to fund a feasibility study for the incorporation of Birch Bay in July.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for Birch Bay residents to express their opinions about the comprehensive plan.The public can participate in the meeting both in person and via Zoom. Information on how to join virtually can be found at bit.ly/3Bq88p8.

Meeting materials will be posted to the county website at bit.ly/4ii9Ids. For more information on the comprehensive plan process and how the public can particpate and share thoughts, contact Matt Aamot at 360/778-5939 or MAamot@co.whatcom.wa.us.