Port of Bellingham Fairhaven Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements November, 2008 Prepared by: BST Associates Atelier Jones | Port of Bellingham | Fairhaven Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements | Nov. 2008 Table of Contents Introduction & Background .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Port of Bellingham Mission Statement, Values, & Roles............................................................................................................................. 4 Public Participation Process.......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Relationship to Waterfront Futures Group Vision........................................................................................................................................ 6 Report Organization...................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Existing Conditions & Uses.............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Planning Area 1 – Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park ................................................................................................................................... 9 Planning Area 2 – Fairhaven Station & Harris Avenue.............................................................................................................................. 10 Planning Area 3 – Boat Launch & Warehouse Building Area ................................................................................................................... 11 Planning Area 4 – Bellingham Cruise Terminal Area................................................................................................................................ 12 Planning Area 5 – Marine Industrial Uses.................................................................................................................................................. 13 Environmental Conditions .............................................................................................................................................................................. 15 FMIP (Marine Reach 10)............................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Fairhaven Boat Launch and Ferry Terminal (Marine Reach 11)................................................................................................................ 16 Padden Lagoon (Marine Reach 12) ............................................................................................................................................................ 20 Existing Land Use Plans & Regulations......................................................................................................................................................... 22 City of Bellingham Land Use Plans and Regulations................................................................................................................................. 22 Federal & State Regulations ....................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Transportation, Access, Parking, Public Services/Utilities ............................................................................................................................ 39 Access ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 Parking ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 40 Public Services/Utilities.............................................................................................................................................................................. 41 Demand by Waterfront Uses........................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Summary of Demand .................................................................................................................................................................................. 48 Comparison of Supply & Demand.............................................................................................................................................................. 51 Demand for Mixed-Use Options................................................................................................................................................................. 52 Description of Alternatives for the Fairhaven Properties ............................................................................................................................... 57 Planning Area 1 Alternatives – Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park............................................................................................................. 57 Planning Area 2 Alternatives – Fairhaven Station and Harris Avenue Area.............................................................................................. 60 Planning Area 3 Alternatives – Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park............................................................................................................. 61 Planning Area 4 Alternatives – Bellingham Cruise Terminal Area ........................................................................................................... 65 Planning Area 5 Alternatives – Marine Industrial Uses ............................................................................................................................. 66 Fairhaven Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements | Nov. 2008 1 Recommendations........................................................................................................................................................................................... 67 Goals and Policies....................................................................................................................................................................................... 68 Land Use ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 69 Environmental Restoration ......................................................................................................................................................................... 71 Public Access.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 73 Capital Repairs & Equipment ..................................................................................................................................................................... 75 Implementation Plan ................................................................................................................................................................................... 75 Environmental Checklist................................................................................................................................................................................. 78 Fairhaven Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements | Nov. 2008 2 Ch. 1 Introduction & Background The Port of Bellingham owns approximately 33 acres of uplands with the City, and retention of a natural beach south of Taylor and 65 acres of state owned tidelands in the southern area of Street. Bellingham in the neighborhood known as Fairhaven. These The 1991 plan identified a series of parking-related projects, properties include the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Fairhaven including completion of the intersection at 4th Street and Station, Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park (FMIP), a shipyard, a Larrabee Avenue, use of the Tollycraft area for parking and fish processing facility, distribution and warehousing facilities, creation of opportunities for joint parking with Fairhaven Marine Park, a public boat launch, and associated parking areas. tenants. In 1991, the Port of Bellingham adopted a Fairhaven Since adopting that plan in 1991, the Port has completed a Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements. In that plan, number of the projects identified in the plan. Completed projects the Port identified a number of projects to pursue in next 10–15 include: years. These projects included: • Transportation Continue Marina Evaluation - Fairhaven Station (Multi-modal Terminal) Expand Terminal Activity - Installation of Berth 3 at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal Redevelop Warehouse No. 7 • Business & Economic Development Increase Deep Water Port – additional pier space - Acquired FMIP Buildings at 8th & Harris Uses for existing warehouse for Cruise