Ad hoc downtown advisory committee holds first meeting

The city of Blaine’s ad hoc downtown advisory committee held its first meeting in council chambers on January 5, bringing a world-renowned architect and longtime planning commissioner to the table to discuss downtown improvements.

Blaine City Council approved the committee last August as part of a larger plan to make amendments to the central business district. The city decided to revisit its downtown zoning after developers expressed concern about building height and parking restrictions that were limiting development. The committee is required as part of the public participation process of the project.

The group will discuss proposed policy changes, advise planning commission on proposed code amendments and make recommendations to city staff.

“We’re going to spend the first couple of quarters having meetings, discussing updates and coming up with a package of recommendations,” said Stacie Pratschner, director of the city’s community development services (CDS) department.

The committee was originally slated to start in late August but was pushed because council delayed voting on the community representatives. In October, council approved the committee members: Bruno Freschi, chief architect for Expo 86 in Vancouver; Greg McHenry, planning analyst for the Port of Bellingham; councilmember Eric Davidson; planning commissioner Kevin Owens; Susan Sturgill, former planning commissioner of 20 years; Scott Meaker, builder who did design construction for the downtown Starbucks; Gurdeep Zeal Bains, who owns several downtown buildings including the Border Town Pizza building; Mia Richardson, owner of Comphy Co.; and Glen Pentland, former chairperson of the Blaine Parks and Open Space Committee. 

The committee is separate from the ad hoc development advisory committee that councilmembers proposed last April to improve communication and discussion on development throughout the entire city. City staff determined last spring that CDS staff didn’t have time to run the committee.

The first meeting was mostly foundational for committee members with discussions on introductions, the committee’s decision-making format and background on previous city codes.

City councilmember Mike Hill, who attended as a member of the public, suggested the committee should have three councilmembers observe each meeting. Pratschner suggested the committee hold joint study sessions with council and possibly planning commission.

The committee is scheduled bi-monthly. The next meeting is 9 a.m. Thursday, January 19.