The Sehome Neighborhood Association members left the Sept. 26 council meeting with a newly accepted neighborhood plan. The plan includes zoning changes in areas such as the Samish Way Urban Village and the 1910 National Guard Armory building in order to maintain a quality of life that is suitable for its residents as well as the city. Since the ‘70s, there has been much pressure from the city to keep building in order to increase the population density. As a new year approaches, changes will be made in order to preserve the character of the Sehome Neighborhood as well as to cater to the needs of the city.
President of the Sehome Neighborhood Association, Charles Dyer, stated that a grant from the city in 2005 has allowed for the neighborhood to determine its needs and concerns. The plan was put on hold to reach a consensus for the plan on the Samish Way Urban Village to be changed from a Type IV to a Type II process. There is “a lot of pressure from the city to build density, but Sehome wants to maintain a steady neighborhood infill,” said Representative Jean Hamilton. With a high density of fast-food restaurants, drug deals, and motels, it is not a part of town that truly fits the Sehome Neighborhood quality of life. Concerned Sehome residents are “excited to see if they could make it nicer and have worked closely with the city to develop the plan,” said Hamilton. The biggest political issue is traffic and Sehome’s residents are here to maintain it to allow for a slow-paced community for people to walk and bike.
Although the official passing of the plan is in December, residents within the council as well as those outside are responding. Resident of the Sehome Neighborhood and former resident of Samish Way Urban Village, David Mitnik, has made note of its commercial environment. “While living there, I felt it wasn’t safe to go out alone after dark. It seemed the cops were down my street everyday,” said Mitnik.
The Sehome Neighborhood has a rich history and was “built by working class people who care about it, so there’s lots of neighborhood input,” said Hamilton. A recent debate about building an apartment complex next to the historic Morse House is currently in the process. Although the land is vacant, members of the Sehome Neighborhood Association foresee a parking problem since the lot is already surrounded by residential houses filled with college students and families. “We get to say and give our input about the quality of life according to the plan and city’s request. When you have a neighborhood plan, it’s useful,” said Hamilton. The Sehome Neighborhood Plan “encourages owners of the historic buildings to incorporate the neighborhood–to take care of it,” said Hamilton. Specifically, parts of the plan call for a new building height restriction of 35 feet that would contribute to the rehabilitation of the historic feel of Sehome. “We don’t want to see it turn into a bunch of high-rise buildings,” said Hamilton.
Residents of Sehome can be sure to see more maintenance in the 1910 National Guard Armory that will eventually be used again. With water leaks and internal damages, the city is working with residents to rehabilitate it.
Since the city and the Sehome Neighborhood have been working together, they have recognized the association for its willingness to compromise. “It gives us political clout. This is the neighborhood that works together. We pick our battles,” said Hamilton. With such a high response and cooperation from the Sehome residents, it allows for a stronger neighborhood association that is able to deal with proposals and problems in healthy manner. The neighborhood was built by local people that “work really hard to compromise. It becomes a strong, diverse commitment to maintain Sehome’s quality,” said Hamilton. #
President, Sehome Neighborhood Association
Charles Dyer (360) 738-6439
Representative, Sehome Neighborhood Association
Jean Hamilton (360) 483-9446
Resident
David Mitnik (505) 270-4825
Budzier, Lindsay. "Klipsun Magazine Online." Klipsun. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <http://
United States. Sehome Neighborhood Association. City of Bellingham. RECORD OF
PROCEEDING OF CITY COUNCIL CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON. By
Katie Franks. Bellingham City Hall: Council Chambers, 2011. Print. Ser. 65.
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