BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Should the urgent need for housing in Bellingham take priority over parking?

That’s the question on the minds of the city council during a public hearing meeting on Jan. 13. Residents are being invited to give their thoughts on a proposed ordinance that would temporarily remove parking minimums.

City code currently requires developers to include a certain amount of parking spaces based on how many people live at a residence or by square footage for non-residential buildings. The interim ordinance would instead allow those developers to choose how much parking they deem necessary.

According to the city’s Planning and Community Development Department, studies have shown that adding more parking drives up the cost of housing and reduces the available land to create more of it.

The council will hold a final vote on the interim ordinance after hearing from the public. If approved, the ordinance would go into effect 15 days after its passage and remain in effect for a year unless it’s extended.

It will be the first chance for residents to speak directly to members of the council since the city suspended in-person comments in November.

The meeting on Monday, Jan. 13 will begin at 7 p.m. from the Council Chambers in City Hall and doors open at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit the City of Bellingham’s parking reforms project page.