Whatcom County  
Council Special Committee of the Whole  
COUNTY COURTHOUSE  
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105  
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038  
(360) 778-5010  
Meeting Agenda  
Tuesday, May 19, 2026  
9 AM  
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers  
HYBRID MEETING - RECESS FOR LUNCH FROM 12:00 P.M. TO 1:00 P.M. -  
ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M. (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN  
INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL  
360.778.5010)  
COUNCILMEMBERS  
Elizabeth Boyle  
Barry Buchanan  
Ben Elenbaas  
Kaylee Galloway  
Jessica Rienstra  
Jon Scanlon  
Mark Stremler  
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL  
Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC  
Call To Order  
Roll Call  
Announcements  
If you require special assistance to participate, please contact the Council Office at 360-778-5010 at  
least 96 hours in advance. Assistive listening devices are available in Council Chambers, and live  
captions are available through Zoom for those participating remotely. This committee meeting is also  
noticed as a meeting of the Whatcom County Council, with the agenda limited to committee business.  
Public Comment (Comprehensive Plan)  
Public comment is scheduled for 30 minutes with in-person and remote participation available. Each  
speaker will have two minutes to address the Council, and participants are asked to limit comments to  
items on the agenda. To participate remotely, please visit www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil and  
register for a Zoom link by 8:00 a.m. the day of the meeting. On-site participants will speak first  
followed by those registered to speak remotely. Please state your name for the record before  
addressing the Council. (Members of the public may send written comments to  
council@co.whatcom.wa.us)  
AB2026-395  
Public comments on all chapters of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan  
1.  
Committee Discussion  
The Whatcom County Council will discuss and provide preliminary direction on amendments to each  
chapter of the Comprehensive Plan before holding a public hearing and taking action on a complete  
document of all chapters and appendices at a future meeting. Visit whatcom.legistar.com for information  
on upcoming meetings. Visit www.whatcomcounty.us/4373 for more information on the comprehensive  
plan update.  
AB2026-273  
AB2026-186  
AB2026-250  
AB2026-261  
AB2026-390  
1.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
5.  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on the Preface to the Whatcom County  
Comprehensive Plan  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 2, Land Use  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 8, Resource Lands  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 10, Environment  
Resolution regarding greenhouse gas reduction sub-element voluntary review as part  
of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan periodic update under the Washington  
State Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.096)  
FOR DISCUSSION ONLY  
AB2026-262  
6.  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 12, Climate  
AB2026-263  
7.  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Appendices (Appendix A: Glossary, Appendix B: Acronyms, Appendix D:  
Bibliography, Appendix E: 20-Year Capital Facilities Plan, Appendix G: Airport  
Overlay Zones, Appendix H: Airport Imaginary Surfaces, Appendix I: Housing  
Needs Analysis, Appendix J: Subsidized Housing Needs and Funding) and Foothills  
Subarea Plan Amendments  
Committee Discussion (Final Coordination)  
The Whatcom County Council will discuss and provide preliminary direction on amendments to each  
chapter of the Comprehensive Plan before holding a public hearing and taking action on a complete  
document of all chapters and appendices at a future meeting. Visit whatcom.legistar.com for information  
on upcoming meetings. Visit www.whatcomcounty.us/4373 for more information on the comprehensive  
plan update.  
AB2026-185  
AB2026-188  
AB2026-216  
AB2026-217  
AB2026-218  
AB2026-231  
AB2026-251  
1.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
5.  
6.  
7.  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 1, Introduction and Growth Projections  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 3, Housing  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 4, Capital Facilities  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 5, Utilities  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 6, Transportation  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 7, Economic Development  
Discussion and preliminary Council direction on Whatcom County Comprehensive  
Plan Chapter 9, Parks and Recreation  
Committee Discussion (Schedule)  
AB2026-249  
Discussion regarding schedule for Council review of the comprehensive plan update  
1.  
Items Added by Revision  
Other Business  
Adjournment