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?

Skip: Yes.

Kerri: Yes, I support eliminating parking minimums, and I will vote to make this policy permanent in 2026. As an endorsed candidate of the Sierra Club and a long-time advocate for affordable housing and environmental stewardship, I view parking reform as a critical step toward both sustainability and equity. I agree with the Sierra Club’s position that Bellingham’s ordinance must be strengthened to ensure its benefits reach those most impacted by our housing crisis. Without explicit affordability measures, reduced parking requirements risk becoming a developer windfall rather than a tool for housing justice. Bellingham currently ranks highest in rental costs among cities its size in Washington. That reality demands bold, integrated policies that reduce car dependence, lower construction costs, and expand access to affordable housing. Parking reform can help, but only if paired with affordability incentives like density bonuses, inclusionary zoning, or affordability-linked variances. In my own neighborhood of Silver Beach (entirely within the Lake Whatcom watershed) reducing car dependence is also essential to protecting our drinking water. Parking reform supports both environmental restoration and housing access, making it a win-win for our community. I also recognize the importance of pragmatism. If consensus on affordability measures cannot be reached, I would still support the ordinance as written to advance climate and mobility goals. However, I will continue to advocate for every opportunity to strengthen affordability provisions and ensure that reforms serve all residents; not just the few.

 

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?

Skip: Yes. Ideally, biking would be a viable and attractive transportation option for everyone in Bellingham. It should be easy and enjoyable to walk, bike, or ride the bus to all of your daily needs. Bellingham has quality bike and ped master plans and I will make their implementation a priority.

Kerri: Yes, I support removing on-street parking when it enables us to accelerate Bike Master Plan projects and improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians. In Ward 4 (especially the Silver Beach neighborhood) we face serious connectivity gaps and safety risks due to the lack of bike lanes and safe crossings. Too often, pedestrians and bicyclists are struck by vehicles or endangered by speeding and car dependence. As President of the Silver Beach Neighborhood Association and a member of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee, I’ve been actively involved in sharing information with residents and advocating for the priorities they’ve voiced (especially around safer streets and reduced car dependency). I regularly attend City Council and Planning Commission meetings to stay informed and ensure that community input is reflected in policy decisions. Reclaiming on-street parking for protected bike infrastructure isn’t just a transportation upgrade; it’s a public safety and equity imperative. Families, students, and seniors deserve to move safely and freely without needing a car for every trip. When projects like those listed move forward, I’ll advocate for robust community input and inclusive design that prioritizes safety, accessibility, equity, and neighborhood character.

 

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?

Skip: My campaign has three main pillars that all fundamentally demand active transportation improvements. 1. Bellingham is experiencing a severe housing shortage, which requires us to promote higher-density living while avoiding more car-dependent sprawl. We need walkable neighborhoods with infrastructure that makes walking and biking the best choices. Reducing reliance on cars is key to lowering living costs, but this must be matched by a strong mass transit system. As a WTA board member, developing effective public transportation is a major focus in the Whatcom Transit Authority’s future planning. However because the WTA is a county wide system not just for the City of Bellingham as the planning progresses the needs of all of the cities and unincorporated parts of Whatcom County must be taken into account to achieve an overall balance of service 2. Although sustainability is less prominent in politics today, it still an underlying guide in my decisions as a council member. As you well know, transportation is responsible for most of Washington State's greenhouse gas emissions. Development regulation changes, such as Bellingham’s interim parking mandate elimination ordinance, and infrastructure investments, including the relatively new Eldridge bike lane, have been implemented to promote safer travel and reduce vehicle emissions by supporting alternatives like cycling and public transit. Achieving these goals also means working collaboratively with community members, advocacy groups, and local businesses to identify barriers and co-create solutions. I believe in supporting policies that incentivize mixed-use development and prioritize investments in connected bike and pedestrian networks, so that residents throughout Bellingham can safely and conveniently access jobs, schools, and essential services without depending on a car. By integrating sustainability, affordability, and accessibility into every transportation decision, we can not only reduce emissions, but also enhance the social fabric and economic vibrancy of our neighborhoods. 3. Public safety is central to my vision for Bellingham. Traffic violence poses a serious threat, causing frequent harm to residents. I support expanding bike and pedestrian networks to enhance safety and keep people in our community safe

Kerri: Yes, I strongly support a program that empowers each neighborhood to designate at least one “shared street.” This would give communities the flexibility to prioritize safety, connection, and livability. The SBNA advocated for the passage of SB 5595 and are excited that it passed. As President of the Silver Beach Neighborhood Association and a member of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee, I’ve worked closely with residents to elevate their concerns and advocate for safer, more people-centered streets. Many of our community members have been requesting Bellingham residents care deeply about the environment and share a common goal of reducing car dependency. A shared street program would be a powerful tool to help neighborhoods achieve that vision. To ensure safety, we must implement strong design strategies: clear signage, traffic calming measures like speed humps and narrowed lanes, well-marked crossings, and visual cues that signal pedestrian and cyclist priority. For Silver Beach, a shared street designation could directly support our efforts to reduce car traffic in the Lake Whatcom reservoir while creating a safer environment for families, kids, and seniors. It’s a program I would champion both as a neighborhood leader and as a city councilmember committed to inclusive, healthy communities.