Lake Padden housing project gets pushback from neighbors. Here’s what to know

A proposed infill development near Bellingham’s Lake Padden Park has sparked concern among Samish neighborhood residents who fear it’s too dense for the semi-rural area. The 29-unit project reflects new state and city policies pushing middle housing into areas previously zoned for mostly single-family residential homes.

FULL STORY: Neighbors alarmed by scope of infill housing project proposed near Lake Padden

Here are key takeaways:

• The project would place 29 townhomes and single-family homes on about 2.9 acres of a 4.5-acre property at 40th Street and Wilkin Street. Lot sizes would range from roughly 3,500 to 5,000 square feet.
• Dozens of neighbors signed and sent a letter to city and county leaders citing concerns about neighborhood character, wildlife, the nearby creek and safety. Residents say they support infill but worry about ecological impacts on Lake Padden.
• The proposal follows 2023 state legislation expanding middle housing, plus a Bellingham executive order from Mayor Kim Lund in November 2024 and a City Council interim ordinance adopted in May 2025.
• The Samish neighborhood has just 71 middle housing units — about 2% of its total housing units — compared with 1,259 middle housing units in the Roosevelt neighborhood, according to the city.
• The project is in pre-application. The developer plans to seek land-use permits soon, start infrastructure by summer 2027 and bring homes to market by spring or summer 2028.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.