Do you support the interim ordinance to eliminate parking minimums in the City of Bellingham, and will you vote to make it a permanent city policy in 2026?

Hollie: Yes and yes. I was one of the two council members who brought the initial proposal to remove parking minimum requirements forward to the city council and supported the mayor in creating an interim ordinance.

Leah: Yes. I made public comment in support of this, and I’m especially curious about affordability as outcome. New York, for example, affordability covenants are written into the code, but Bellingham doesn’t yet have that safeguard. As an epidemiologist, I’m eager to see the data from this year’s trial version and to learn more about its impacts. I believe in asking questions, following the evidence, and making sure our policies truly serve the community.

 

Do you support the removal of on-street parking to accelerate Bike Master Plan projects, such as on Cornwall Ave, Sunset Ave, F Street, 32nd Street, and Northwest Ave?

Hollie: Yes. I have voted in favor of removing parking every time the question has been brought before council.

Leah: Yes. I live on Northwest Avenue, where this has already occurred, and I support continuing these efforts to accelerate Bike Master Plan projects. At the same time, I would again emphasize the need for enforcement measures to ensure safety, since infrastructure changes alone aren’t enough without consistent compliance.

 

Do you support a city program to allow each Bellingham neighborhood to designate at least one street as a "shared street", where people biking, walking, rolling, and playing have priority over car traffic? If so, which design strategies should be used to ensure the program keeps people outside of cars safe?

Hollie: Yes. I would defer to our city engineers and local transportation experts for direction on implementing the best design tools for safety.

Leah: Yes. I support a city program that designates at least one shared street in every Bellingham neighborhood. To keep people safe, design strategies should include traffic calming measures like speed bumps and diverters, clear signage and street markings, safe crossings, and investment in sidewalks and bike connections — especially around childcare facilities and in our fastest-growing, most diverse neighborhoods. Prioritizing enforcement is also key so drivers understand and respect that these streets belong first to people walking, biking, rolling, and playing.