The group exploring whether Birch Bay should become its own city could take one of its most significant steps yet next week, when members consider proposed city boundaries, a form of government and whether to begin the formal incorporation process.
The Birch Bay Incorporation Association will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 17, in the upstairs space at North Bay Community Church, 4895 Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
The meeting marks a shift for the organization, which spent nearly three years studying incorporation while describing its role as providing residents with information to make their own decision. Earlier this year, BBIA released a feasibility study concluding that Birch Bay could operate as a financially viable city under several service scenarios.
The study differed from a Whatcom County analysis that concluded the area lacked a sufficient sales tax base to maintain a balanced budget.
In June, BBIA members amended the organization’s bylaws and its steering committee voted unanimously to move from studying incorporation to advocating for it.
At the Sept. 17 meeting, the committee is scheduled to discuss and potentially approve a public summary of its feasibility findings, a proposed city name, form of government, city classification and boundaries. Members will also consider whether to move forward with filing a Notice of Intent to Incorporate.
Those are not merely organizational details.
Washington law requires a proposed incorporation petition to identify the new city’s name, proposed boundaries, estimated population, form of government and whether it would operate as a code city or under another classification.
A Notice of Intent would not itself create a city or put incorporation immediately before voters. Under state law, filing the notice with the county begins a formal review process that includes a public meeting before the Boundary Review Board. If the proposal ultimately clears the required review process, voters within the proposed city boundaries would decide whether Birch Bay should incorporate.
Boundaries are expected to be a significant part of Thursday’s discussion.
Sandi McMillan of Birch Bay Water and Sewer District is scheduled to present mapping that compares the Birch Bay urban growth area with the district’s water and sewer service areas and discuss practical considerations associated with different boundary options. The district has maintained a neutral position on incorporation.
Previous BBIA planning has generally used the Birch Bay urban growth area as the proposed city boundary. That area has roughly 9,000 residents and, if incorporated at that size, would make Birch Bay one of Whatcom County’s larger cities.
The association’s feasibility study envisions a relatively lean municipal government that could contract with existing agencies for services rather than recreate them. Fire protection, schools, parks, water and sewer would continue through existing districts, while the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has previously said it could contract with a future city for law enforcement.
Birch Bay has considered incorporation several times before, most recently in 2008, with the last incorporation proposal reaching voters in the 1990s. The current effort began in 2023.
BBIA is also asking residents willing to circulate petitions, host neighborhood discussions, help with outreach or contribute to campaign expenses to become involved.
