Waterfront Setbacks

The Waterfront Advisory Group, the city and the port are dealing with the issue of setbacks for New Whatcom, Bellingham’s new waterfront. The city is in the process of developing a state-mandated shoreline plan that will specify the required minimum setback between buildings and the water’s edge in New Whatcom where the Port of Bellingham is working with the city to redevelop the old Georgia Pacific industrial site into a new neighborhood of offices, shops, residences and light industry.
 The Bellingham Planning Commission recently recommended a version of a shoreline plan that includes setbacks of as much as 200 feet for some new buildings such as restaurants, buildings could be built much closer to the water if circumstances warrant. What are those circumstances?
Port officials say that is too much restriction on development, and at least one member of the Waterfront Advisory Group agreed.
It sure will be interesting to see where this all goes and what kind of waterfront we end up with.