February 16 - 22, 2017
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Longtime haberdasher passes away, page 8
Tips to care for your pet’s teeth, page 10
A message from the Blaine Senior Center, page 13
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City council votes Economy, Fritsch, Magallon lead Borderites to regionals victory in favor of wharf district zoning amendment B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
(See Wharf, page 3)
s Blaine’s Colton Economy, r., wrestles Alec Acfalle from Olympic High School in the second match of the Class 2A regional tournament last weekend at Blaine High School. Economy, r., took first place in the 132 lb. weight class and was one of three Blaine wrestlers to win Photo by Jasmine Frisch their class. Read more on page 7.
Protesters bring “No Ban, No Wall” message to Peace Arch Park B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Canadian demonstrators converged at Peace Arch Park last weekend in response to President Donald Trump’s recent crackdown on immigration. The protest, titled “No Ban, No Wall – Vancouver” on a Facebook event page, featured a lineup of speakers and performers and drew a crowd of about 150 people to Peace Arch Park on February 12. Organizers based in Canada began planning the protest two weeks ago in
response to an executive order signed by Trump in late January. The order called for a ban on all refugee admission into the U.S. for 120 days, an indefinite ban on admission of Syrian refugees and the prohibition of individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries – including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – from entering the US for 90 days. Last week, the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld a decision by a federal judge in Seattle to halt enforcement nationwide and is now tasked with
Sales tax measure set for inclusion on April ballot Will Blaine be the next city in Washington to fund transportation projects for streets, sidewalks and trails with a sales tax? That’s up to voters to decide. During a special meeting on February 13, Blaine City Council voted to place a sales tax measure on the April 2017 special election ballot. If approved by a simple majority of voters, the city would see a .2 percent hike in the sales tax to generate an estimated $200,000 for transportation projects over the next 10 years. The funding employs a Transportation Benefit District (TBD), which the council
voted to form on January 23. The district can generate funding through a number of means, such as a sales tax or vehicle licensing fee. Neighboring Bellingham, Lynden and Ferndale already leverage funding through a TBD using a sales tax. Staff with the city of Blaine recommended raising the funds through a sales tax because it doesn’t solely place the burden on Blaine residents. An estimated 50 percent of sales tax funds generated in the city come directly from tourists, while another 35 percent is received from mail order retail sales, said public works director
Ravyn Whitewolf back in December. In 1996, Blaine voters approved a 10-year property tax levy for street maintenance and improvement. Shortly after it expired, the city issued a $6.8 million 10-year bond that will be paid off in December 2017. If voters approve to hike the sales tax from 8.5 percent to 8.7 in April, the funding would be used to obtain additional grant funding, Whitewolf said. The cost to the city to place a measure on the special election ballot is an estimated $25,000. According to a staff report, the city allocated $20,000 in the 2017 budget.
considering if a larger panel of judges should review requests to allow the ban. On February 13, U.S. District Judge James Robart ruled the lawsuit lodged by Washington and Minnesota would proceed, according to reports from The Associated Press. Nineteen-year-old Golsa Golestaneh led in organizing the “No Ban, No Wall – Vancouver” protest. The event was originally slated to take place on February 5, but was rescheduled due to weather. (See Protest, page 15)
INSIDE
Sundance Yachts is one step closer to building a $9 million boat storage facility on Marine Drive after Blaine City Council voted to amend the Wharf District Master Plan (WDMP). The city of Blaine and the Port of Bellingham adopted the plan in 2007. The council cast the vote during its February 13 regular meeting following a lengthy public hearing and discussion with city staff. The amendment deals with height and use limitations in an area called Mariner Village in the WDMP. The amendment’s genesis dates back to June 2016, when the Port of Bellingham approached the city to request changes to the plan to accommodate one of the Port’s tenants. The matter was referred to the Blaine Planning Commission for consideration. The proposal generated some feedback from the public in December when it was presented to the Blaine Planning Commission. Opponents were unhappy with what they saw as a downgrade from the original vision contained in the WDMP. The WDMP governs the zoning in the harbor area allowing a mix of commercial, marine, industrial and recreational uses. Originally, Mariner Village – located between the Blaine Harbor Office and the railroad tracks – was zoned for mixed-use commercial, retail and service use on the ground level with office, residential and lodging above. Marine-related activities were not allowable uses in this area. The Port of Bellingham asked for the WDMP to be changed to allow marine-related use in Mariner Village and increase building height limits from 45 to 55 feet in one sub-area and 35 to 45 feet in another, both east of Milhollin Drive. After deliberation, the planning commission voted to allow non-industrial marine-related use east of Milhollin Drive and increase allowable heights in part of the village. On February 13, city council opted
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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