August 23 - 29, 2018
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Community narrows plans for Birch Bay Library, page 3
Back to School
Public hearings set Crabbing season Photos from the for August 23, page 6 starts up, page 8 ‘Roadeo,’ page 19
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
City swears in new Blaine Police Department chief
Pull-out section on page 9-12
Developer has big plans for project in downtown Blaine Apartments, restaurant and retail store planned for 685 Peace Portal Drive B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
(See Downtown, page 7)
s Allen Schubert, l., was sworn in as chief of the Blaine Police Department by city clerk and assistant to the city manager Sam Crawford during a brief ceremony at Blaine City Hall on August 20. Schubert previously served as a lieutenant at the Los Angeles Police Department.
Live music, food trucks at Blaine Marine Park on Aug. 25 B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Enjoy some fun in the sun at the second annual Summer Fun in the Park event. Sponsored by Windermere Real Estate agents Jen Freeman and Leah Crews, the free event will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 25 at Blaine Marine Park, 272 Marine Drive. This year, Gladstone and Trouble at the Henhouse will perform a mix of popular
covers from the 1990s and early 2000s. Food trucks Paso del Norte, Cicchitti’s Pizza, Alaska Wild Fish and Chip Co., Sugar Shack and Yapple Kettle Corn will be on the scene serving food. Adults will have the chance to drop by a beer and wine garden that’s open until 9 p.m., with all proceeds going to the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, Freeman said. At 9 p.m., an outdoor showing of ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ will begin. The show-
County says building planned for Birch Bay Drive may be too tall By Oliver Lazenby The Whatcom County Planning Department is requesting more information about a proposed 39-unit apartment complex on Birch Bay Drive. The proposed development is at the current site of Richmond Resort, 8086 Birch Bay Drive, and would have buildings up to 35-feet tall and could potentially block views from residences behind it. In a formal letter called a “notice of additional requirements,” the county asked for a
Photo by Stefanie Donahue
variety of extra information and documents about the project, including information about how the proposed development’s height would impact its surroundings. “The submittal as prepared does not demonstrate compatibility of the development with regard to size, scale and height of the surrounding community,” the letter said. “Please provide a graphic analysis or elevation detail demonstrating how the proposed buildings will impact the surrounding uses and the proposed mitigation measures, if necessary.”
The county requested a variety of other information from the developers, including details about the project’s landscaping, parking stall dimensions, setbacks and stormwater discharge. Steve Taberner, property owner, and Tony Freeland of Bellingham-based Freeland & Associates proposed the project, which would include a 27-unit building, a 10-unit building, and a duplex on a 2.5 acre lot that currently hosts about 52 recreational vehi(See Sunset, page 2)
ing is free and everyone is encouraged to bring their lightsabers. Summer Fun in the Park was started by Freeman and Crews as an appreciation event for their business clients and transformed into a highly-attended community event. “We’re hoping for another great time this weekend,” Freeman said. To learn more, contact Freeman at 360/815-0803 or email jenfreeman@windermere.com.
INSIDE
Demolition crews deconstructed a 1920s-era building in downtown Blaine last week to make way for a new development project that includes a mix of residential and commercial space. The property is located at 685 Peace Portal Drive next to the H Street Plaza and previously contained a two-story, approximately 3,200-square foot building. In 2016, private investor Peter Gigante purchased the property with his wife Joana and is gearing up to construct a three-story, approximately 5,300-square-foot building at the site. The Hollinger family owned the property prior to Gigante. He discovered the building on the site when it was advertised for rent and eventually was able to work out a deal with the family to purchase the property for $290,000. He said Drayton Harbor Oyster Company will relocate to the new building from its 667 Peace Portal Drive location once it’s constructed. Ferndale-based Barlean’s Fishery Inc. is also in “final talks” to open a retail store at the location, he said. “I kept finding excuses to stop into Blaine,” Gigante said. “[My wife and I] had been looking for some kind of income property. I was looking all over for the best
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4
Classifieds . . . . . 15
Coming Up . . . . . 18
Police . . . . . . . . . 18 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 18
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