(The Center Square) – The Bellingham City Council has approved an interim ordinance that eliminates Bellingham’s minimum parking requirements. The new ordinance will allow developers to build more residential units as part of the city’s plan to expand housing capacity.
Agenda Bill 24375 was approved by the Bellingham City Council on Monday. It eliminates the city’s minimum number of parking spaces that must be developed.
The interim ordinance will go into effect on Jan. 28. It will remain in effect until January 2026, unless it is extended.
Supporters of the bill say that property owners and developers now have the option to create fewer parking spaces and, instead, use land in other ways to increase urban density.
City council staff cited studies that note that surface lots with a capacity of 100 cars can range generally between $78 to $200 per square foot, with a national average being about $21,000 per space. Surface parking spaces in Washington cost approximately $83 per square foot. Therefore a 10-foot by 20-foot parking stall would cost approximately $16,600 in 2023.
The interim ordinance is meant to coincide with a recent executive order from Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund, which seeks to quickly address a worsening housing crisis within the city through streamlined permitting processes, new legislation, and incentivising the creation of more housing.
“Parking flexibility will allow for better use of land in Bellingham, including creating additional housing opportunities and preserving tree canopy,” Lund said in a statement.
Prior to the adoption of the interim ordinance, a certain number of parking spaces were required to be created in order to develop a certain number of housing units.
If required parking can’t be built, then the housing unit can’t be built. These requirements sometimes prevent new housing developments from moving forward at all.
Bellingham City Councilmember Lisa Anderson has expressed doubts about developers creating units dedicated to lower-income individuals. She also has concerns over the legislation being streamlined and not providing Bellingham residents enough time to provide feedback.
Anderson and fellow City Councilmember Michael Lilliquist voted in opposition of Agenda Bill 24375.
