Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Bellingham Planning and Community Development Department
Agenda, Item 2 for 05/19/2016
ATTN: Chris Koch, Planner
360-778-8349 | [email protected]
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Dear Mr. Koch,
I am writing to you in regards to the quasi-judicial application for an Institutional Master Plan Amendment and SEPA Checklist for Western Washington University District. Specifically, the proposals interaction with IMP district 17 where the OELS AS Outback Farm is located.
If you reference Pages II-49 and 51 on the current Western Washington University Institutional Master Plan (adopted by the City of Bellingham, Sep. 24, 2001) you will see the Character Goals & Development Recommendations, for both districts 17 and 18, to include “Accommodate southern exposure required by Outdoor Experiential Learning Site (OELS) by careful siting of any future structures.".
The proposed expansion of district 18 is adjacent to a large sum of the necessary afternoon solar exposure for current food production gardens. If new development exceeded the impact of existing tree cover this would greatly hinder the ability for the OELS to carry out its primary academic land uses.
- I would like to formally request that as District 18 is expanded to accommodate future residence the Character Goals & Development Recommendations is amended as follows: "Accommodate western as well as southern solar exposure required by Outdoor Experiential Learning Site (OELS) by careful siting of any future structures."
In order to accommodate space requirements, the proposed seeks to reduce the size of district 13, 15 and 17 with student activities listed as an IMP land use classification in District 18. While new development and the inclusion of residence on our west side has the potential to advance existing Character Goals and Development Recommendations for district 17—such as that of integration of educational and residential functions—these same goals could be greatly restricted if said new development were to cut into established gardens.
- I would like to formally request that the expansion of district 18 be prohibited from disrupting established garden spaces that have been maintained for two years or more.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
More like this
Responsible Vestal Zoning
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Updates
May 20, 2016
We just hit 250 signatures tonight and it proves I am not the only one worried about the future of our farm. Seeing this level of support for protecting the afternoon light for our gardens gives me so much hope. We have to keep showing the city that this land matters.
Reached 250 supporters
May 19, 2016
May 18, 2016
I have been reviewing the master plan documents again and the contrast between the stated environmental goals and this proposed construction is stark. My time spent at the farm shows me every day that losing that sunlight would destroy the heart of what makes this space viable.
May 18, 2016
Seeing one hundred people recognize the value of the Outback Farm brings me so much relief. This space feeds our community and teaches us about the land in ways a classroom never could.
Reached 100 supporters
May 17, 2016
65 Comments
This is an important educational space and the plans for new dorms threaten to block much of the sunlight impacting it's ability to teach farming skills to the community, particularly. Please give this great consideration when reviewing the request. Thankyou Kate blake
This space provides an invaluable teaching and learning resource for our students, as well as for the surrounding community. As a professor in Huxley, I rely on this space for teaching and learning about sustainable food systems. We're so fortunate to have this resource on campus. Please do not compromise the light exposure of this special place!
As a WWU graduate, I recognize the vital need for expanded accommodations to facilitate the continued growth of the university. To do so at the expense of a thriving hub of community and culture that represents the very core of what Western stands for: sustainability, opportunity, service, would be a travesty.
I have worked to preserve this place for decades NOW. Please consider this in your planning to keep it safe and enriching for future generations to learn from!! Jamie Jedinak LONG time Bellingham resident!!
How many times do Fairhaven, Huxley, and other students have to defend the Outback Farm against a Residence Hall? Jeesh! The world's largest "dorm" is going in on Garden/Forest Street. Let the private sector solve the housing issues--they do it so much better.
The outback changed my life, it has made me want to stay at Western even when I was going through freshman year loneliness and homesickness, and now I am so glad I did. Western would not be the same without it. It is truley a big selling point of the school and it would be smart for Western to protect that as a garden is a place for health and growth and only brings positivity to our campus and lives. Thank you, and please protect the Outbacks rights.
Protect the Outback!
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Bellingham Planning and Community Development Department
Agenda, Item 2 for 05/19/2016
ATTN: Chris Koch, Planner
360-778-8349 | [email protected]
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Dear Mr. Koch,
I am writing to you in regards to the quasi-judicial application for an Institutional Master Plan Amendment and SEPA Checklist for Western Washington University District. Specifically, the proposals interaction with IMP district 17 where the OELS AS Outback Farm is located.
If you reference Pages II-49 and 51 on the current Western Washington University Institutional Master Plan (adopted by the City of Bellingham, Sep. 24, 2001) you will see the Character Goals & Development Recommendations, for both districts 17 and 18, to include “Accommodate southern exposure required by Outdoor Experiential Learning Site (OELS) by careful siting of any future structures.".
The proposed expansion of district 18 is adjacent to a large sum of the necessary afternoon solar exposure for current food production gardens. If new development exceeded the impact of existing tree cover this would greatly hinder the ability for the OELS to carry out its primary academic land uses.
- I would like to formally request that as District 18 is expanded to accommodate future residence the Character Goals & Development Recommendations is amended as follows: "Accommodate western as well as southern solar exposure required by Outdoor Experiential Learning Site (OELS) by careful siting of any future structures."
In order to accommodate space requirements, the proposed seeks to reduce the size of district 13, 15 and 17 with student activities listed as an IMP land use classification in District 18. While new development and the inclusion of residence on our west side has the potential to advance existing Character Goals and Development Recommendations for district 17—such as that of integration of educational and residential functions—these same goals could be greatly restricted if said new development were to cut into established gardens.
- I would like to formally request that the expansion of district 18 be prohibited from disrupting established garden spaces that have been maintained for two years or more.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Updates
May 20, 2016
We just hit 250 signatures tonight and it proves I am not the only one worried about the future of our farm. Seeing this level of support for protecting the afternoon light for our gardens gives me so much hope. We have to keep showing the city that this land matters.
Reached 250 supporters
May 19, 2016
May 18, 2016
I have been reviewing the master plan documents again and the contrast between the stated environmental goals and this proposed construction is stark. My time spent at the farm shows me every day that losing that sunlight would destroy the heart of what makes this space viable.
May 18, 2016
Seeing one hundred people recognize the value of the Outback Farm brings me so much relief. This space feeds our community and teaches us about the land in ways a classroom never could.
Reached 100 supporters
May 17, 2016
65 Comments
The outback changed my life 15 years ago. I now am a practicing herbalist and have a nationally recognized herbal school. The outback is where I began my studies. Please, the outback must stay intact.
This is an important educational space and the plans for new dorms threaten to block much of the sunlight impacting it's ability to teach farming skills to the community, particularly. Please give this great consideration when reviewing the request. Thankyou Kate blake
This space provides an invaluable teaching and learning resource for our students, as well as for the surrounding community. As a professor in Huxley, I rely on this space for teaching and learning about sustainable food systems. We're so fortunate to have this resource on campus. Please do not compromise the light exposure of this special place!
As a WWU graduate, I recognize the vital need for expanded accommodations to facilitate the continued growth of the university. To do so at the expense of a thriving hub of community and culture that represents the very core of what Western stands for: sustainability, opportunity, service, would be a travesty.
I have worked to preserve this place for decades NOW. Please consider this in your planning to keep it safe and enriching for future generations to learn from!! Jamie Jedinak LONG time Bellingham resident!!
How many times do Fairhaven, Huxley, and other students have to defend the Outback Farm against a Residence Hall? Jeesh! The world's largest "dorm" is going in on Garden/Forest Street. Let the private sector solve the housing issues--they do it so much better.
The outback changed my life, it has made me want to stay at Western even when I was going through freshman year loneliness and homesickness, and now I am so glad I did. Western would not be the same without it. It is truley a big selling point of the school and it would be smart for Western to protect that as a garden is a place for health and growth and only brings positivity to our campus and lives. Thank you, and please protect the Outbacks rights.
Protect the Outback!
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The outback changed my life 15 years ago. I now am a practicing herbalist and have a nationally recognized herbal school. The outback is where I began my studies. Please, the outback must stay intact.