Bellinghamsters Are Invited to Inventory Their Neighborhood Sidewalks
Preston Schiller’s Sept-Oct. 2025 article; “Sidewalks, Missing Sidewalks, Blocked Sidewalks, No Sidewalks, and Pedestrian Danger” (1) stimulated Whatcom Watch’s stalwart Bill McCallum to do an inventory of curbs and sidewalks in his Columbia neighborhood for the December 2025 issue of Whatcom Watch (2). This, in turn, stimulated Barry MacHale and Sunny Beaver to do a similar inventory for their Roosevelt neighborhood for the March 2026 issue of Whatcom Watch (3). Both inventoried streets with sidewalks on both sides of the street, streets with sidewalks on one side of the street, missing sidewalk links and streets with no sidewalks or blocked sidewalks.
The results point to needs for the City of Bellingham (COB) to collect better data about sidewalks and to address these issues. COB could either ameliorate streets with sidewalks on only one side, or “missing link streets” where there are no sidewalks for part of the street and then sidewalks on connecting segments. COB should also determine whether it would be more efficacious on streets missing sidewalks, especially if they go for several blocks, to introduce traffic calming measures so that vehicular speeds are slowed to a point where it is safe and comfortable for pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles to share such streets.
Much of this detailed data is not collected by the city. Therefore, Whatcom Watch invites neighborhoods across Bellingham. Bellinghamsters Are Invited to Inventory Their Neighborhood Sidewalks to collect such inventories for publication as well as to help the city address these issues in a well-informed way, perhaps establishing a “sidewalks fund” that all development would pay into, rather than leaving missing links until a vacant property is developed.
Sidewalk Articles:
- https://whatcomwatch.org/index.php/article/sidewalks-missing-sidewalksblocked-sidewalks-no-sidewalks-andpedestrian-danger/
- https://whatcomwatch.org/index.php/article/an-inventory-of-sidewalks-andcurbs-in-the-columbia-neighborhood/
- https://whatcomwatch.org/index.php/article/an-inventory-of-sidewalks-andcurbs-in-the-roosevelt-neighborhood/
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New Infill Development on Birchwood Avenue Raises Unresolved Questions
I live on Birchwood Avenue in Bellingham, WA, and have concerns regarding a proposed 14-unit residential development at 2701 Birchwood Ave. currently under city review. I’ve lived in Bellingham for a little over two years. In that relatively short time, I have fallen in love with the city, and, specifically, the uniqueness and character of the Birchwood neighborhood.
I am very supportive of middle housing, but feel that the 2701 Birchwood Ave. project as currently planned is pushing the boundaries of reasonable density and an example of irresponsible development. The developer is attempting to force this through based on previous middle housing ordinance rules, prior to when accessory dwelling units (ADUs) were considered part of density calculations. Also, none of the units planned qualify as low-income housing. This proposed plan as currently drafted is a money grab, in my opinion, not in the best interest of the city and/or our neighborhood related to safety, traffic volume and other factors.
The project, filed under permit numbers SUB2025-0048 and DR2025-0030, would subdivide an existing single-family lot and construct 13 new units, including detached ADUs positioned very close to the Birchwood Ave. frontage. In comparison, a similar infill project currently under development just down the road at 2912 Birchwood follows a noticeably different layout, with structures set well back from the street in a manner that is much more consistent with the city’s 10-foot minimum front yard setback under the Middle Housing Ordinance.
Questions also arise around fire access. The Whatcom County Fire Marshall’s standards require a 26-foot-wide private roadway for developments with seven or more dwelling units, along with fire apparatus turnaround features for driveways exceeding 150 feet. The proposed internal access lane serving 14 units warrants scrutiny to confirm those requirements are met — particularly since the SEPA checklist asserts that no code variances are needed.
Bellingham’s middle housing legislation is an important tool for addressing the region’s housing needs. However, good policy depends on consistent, accurate implementation. Residents deserve assurances that density goals aren’t being achieved by skipping steps in the code review process.
Neighbors with concerns about this development should pay close attention before the appeal window closes.
Written comments may be submitted to Ryan Nelson, Planner, at rnelson@cob.org. Appeals of any final decision may be filed per BMC 21.10.250.
Michael Jacobs
Bellingham
