Blaine Planning Commission schedules hearing on downtown building height

Blaine Planning Commission has planned a public hearing 6 p.m. Thursday, August 8 on a proposal that would allow developers to increase downtown building heights by 12 feet in the waterview subdistrict.

The zoning text amendment would increase the building height limitation from 36 feet to 48 feet, with building appurtenances and recreational amenities allowed to exceed that limit. The impacted area is the west side of Peace Portal Drive, running south of F Street to north of Clark Street.

The hearing will be held in Blaine City Council chambers at city hall, 435 Martin Street. People can submit written testimony regarding the hearing until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 7. Three-minute public testimony will be accepted at the hearing.

Comments can be emailed to CDScomments@cityofblaine.com with “height amendments” in the subject line, or mailed to Community Development Services Department, Attn: Alex Wenger, 435 Martin Street, Suite 3000, Blaine WA 98230.

The planning commission directed CDS on its intent for the proposal, and staff is in the process of writing the proposal as of July 30, CDS director Alex Wenger wrote in an email. Proposal documents will be available at the CDS Department from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Conversations regarding an increase to building height limits have been held in city hall since 2022, when developers told city staff parking and building height restrictions need to change to improve their return on investment, especially on the west side of Peace Portal Drive.