In light of resent discussion heard emanating from the radio waves of KGMI's Bonner and Brooks on the current proposed densities for various neighborhoods within the Bellingham UGA, I would like to add my two cents worth. I wish to preface this, however, by saying I have always been a fan of Mr. Bonner and would have voted him Mayor had I the option of a Bellingham vote.
This said, I must argue against some of his issues. It appears as if Mr. Bonner suffers from a mild form of class envy. Without the numbers at hand to do an accurate assessment, I will go by what Mr. Bonner said in his first segment on this topic aired on Jan 17, 2008. With regard to proposed densities in various neighborhoods and based upon the formula (acreage of developable land per area) \ (the proposed number of units per area), Mr. Bonner came up with these figures:

Lettered Streets – 27 units/ acre
Cornwall Neighborhood – 19 units / acre
Seahome Neighborhood – 18 units / acre
Meridian Neighborhood – 17 units / acre
Edgemore Neighborhood – 2.4 units / acre

Looking at mere data one would see an obvious discrepancy in the number of units per acre of developable land. However, and Patty Brooks brought this up, also on the 17th of Jan., looking at this data, one fails to take into account the actual current densities of each respective neighborhood. For instance, if one were to survey the homes located in the Lettered Streets or say the Cornwall Neighborhood one would find older and much smaller homes than one would in Edgemore, thus allowing for more similar units to be built within an acre of land than in a similar acre in Edgemore. One could argue that that simply isn’t fair. Why should the poorer neighborhoods have smaller homes than the more affluent? It is simply a matter of economics. One cannot build big if one cannot afford big. This brings into issue the whole economics of land values. Simply put, and this is a generalization, a poorer neighborhood will have a lower property values than will an area with more wealth. It may not be politically correct to say, but a poorer neighborhood will also typically lack the aesthetics needed to raise property levels. When property levels drop in a neighborhood, but population in that same neighborhood rises, there is an increased incentive for developers to come in and convert these small single family homes, which are often in need of much improvement, into a higher density project such as a condo, townhouse or, more often, into an apartment complex. This can be observed in several areas throughout Bellingham. Two coming to mind immediately would be the Rosevelt Neighborhood and the Seahome Neighborhood. I’ll concede that there are different motivators within these neighborhoods. In the former, the recessed property values and resident income levels have stimulated the growth of higher density complexes. The latter addresses the concerns of a growing University population with little place to expand.

With this in mind, consider what the market would be in a place like Bellingham for high density apartment complexes in a neighborhood such as Edgemore. First off, the real property values would prevent anything other than high class luxury apartments to be located in an area completely out of character with the surrounding homes. In general, a person who would be able to afford the price of said apartment units would be much more inclined to seek real property elsewhere for the convenience of the privacy granted. We do not yet have the high class draw that a place such as West Vancouver has to high density luxury apartments. In order to make the apartments affordable and thereby increase thepersentage of rented units, one must simply find a location where supply meets demand. This cross point would be more easily found in areas of already increased densities based upon the previous conclusions. Secondly we must consider the economic status of the presumed 31,000 people inflating the population of Bellingham over the next established time frame. What percentage of these new people are going to be able to afford the financial burden of a home in the Edgemore Neighborhood? What is the percentage of current Bellingham residents who can afford to live in the Edgemore Neighborhood. While it is hard to predict the actual figures, I would propose that the percentage of new residents would remain in roughly the same proportion as what currently exists in part because of supply and demand.

This said, is it fair to suppress the real property values of the current Edgemore residents in order to create a more equitable distribution of citizenry? What would be the percentage drop, if any, in the Roosevelt Neighborhood where an apartment complex to be built in lieu of a development of low structural value? On the contrary a study would most likely show an increase in real value here. The truth is, it would not be economically feasible to build a $1.5 Million home in the Roosevelt Neighborhood just as it would not be economically feasible, at this time, to build high density apartments in Edgemore simply to adjust the distribution of incoming residents.

As I stated previously, I don’t currently have figures to go by but it would prove interesting to work with the numbers and find out what the current residential density level is for each of the neighborhoods slated for growth and compare that with the numbers which Mr. Bonner computed. I think that you may find them quite similar…

This is VB - That's the world through my mind

I believe that Fairhaven's response is an entirely different issue from that of Edgemore. Every Right leaning person in Bellingham knows that the Fairhaven Neighborhood is the bastion of liberal '60's thought. As a county we have seen how a few environmental acivists can have radical and drastic effects on life in the county. Most notably is the Lake Whatcom boat issue where a vast majority of citizens was overruled by a very few, very vocal activists. While Mr. Bonner's concern about the people from Edgemore being able to more effectively buy votes their way is a valid point to a degree: campains need contributers, I think that the power of persuasion and lobying is much more prevalent and used to a much greater degree by the citizens of the Fairhaven Neighborhood. I would theorize that many individuals in this particular neighborhood are substantially more vocal and active in the local decision making that goes on. They may not have the financial impact of Edgemore, but they certainly have the voices. As the old adage goes: the squeaky wheel gets the oil...

This is VB - That's the world through my mind...