Protecting Lake Padden and Samish Crest

By Laurie Caskey-Schreiber

Laurie Caskey-Schreiber

October 25, 2025

Below is a letter I recently sent to the City Council as they move to adopt growth areas for the next ten years. I wrote this because I live in this neighborhood and have come to love this open space area near my house. Yes, some will call me a NIMBY, but as I have learned more about this area not only do I love it, but for multiple reasons it is a really bad idea to hold it for future growth. Here is my letter explaining what I believe ….  

Bellingham City Council 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Dear City Council Members: I understand you will soon make decisions about how the City will move forward in adopting a plan to accommodate future growth. I understand how laborious this process can be, as I served on the Whatcom County Council (2002-2010), and was heavily involved in the county-wide update of the Whatcom County Comprehensive plan in 2009.

I am taking this opportunity to share a bit of history with you, and hope to influence the outcome of your planning decisions. When we (the County Council) decided to remove the UGA status for the area on the south side of Yew Street Hill (including the South Hills neighborhood), we did not make this change without serious consternation. The following factors influenced my final decision to put this area in Urban Reserve status:

• The geography for this area makes the entire southern portion of Yew Street Hill prone to heavily influence Lake Padden’s water quality. If you look at a LIDAR map of the area, you will see that steep slopes allow everything in its path to flow to Lake Padden.
  

• Lake Padden water quality is at risk of eutrophication. Urban development contributes to excess phosphorous being delivered to the Lake. Hastening the decline of that resource. Lake Padden Park is used year round by thousands of Bellingham and county residents, it is a resource worthy of serious protection. Historically the water quality was good enough to serve as a reservoir for South Bellingham. Why let it degrade to swamp?
  

• In 2009, the City staff determined that to further develop this area was cost prohibitive to the City of Bellingham. Upgrading the last remaining stretch of Yew Street Hill Road will cost at a minimum five million dollars (today, per County Public Works staff – the cost would be closer to 7 million, minimum). The area at the top, also needs additional water infrastructure, cost estimates vary, but probably in the 5 to 10 million range. Developing Palmer Road to city standards for an access road to Samish Crest area is probably going to cost 3 to 5 million.

• The South Hills neighborhood was developed to City standards, however due to cost the City declined to allow for annexation. So now, people who live in this neighborhood, have an urban feel, but pay almost double for their utility bills, and have to rely on the County for the maintenance of their roads. The homeowner’s association maintains the stormwater retention pond, and recently spent almost $100,000 to have it cleaned and serviced. Even though this is well-maintained system, it does not remove any amount of phosphorous.
  

Photo by Laurie Caskey-Schreiber - View from Samish Crest

Now, my perspective on the current decision before you, obviously all of the factors that we considered in 2009, are still relevant today. Protecting Lake Padden has never been more important. Each year the Lake experiences a huge growth in algal blooms, that are often toxic to animals and humans. I live in the South Hills neighborhood, and I constantly see people washing their cars, piling up grass clippings, and animal waste not being properly handled. Humans degrade the environment, and there isn’t a stormwater system out there that can fully negate that fact. Lake Padden is a real treasure, and deserves to be preserved for future generations to enjoy. Cost, being a huge one, at what point do you be honest and really look at the costs involved for the number of housing units this area would accommodate. They certainly won’t be adding affordable housing up there, because the developer will have to target high end buyers to recoup their investments. Will the developer really cover the cost to finish Yew Street Road (at least 7 million), water infrastructure (10 million), Palmer Road upgrade (3-5 million), so for 250 homes, someone needs to invest 20 to 25 million, otherwise the city taxpayers will be footing the bill.

Another option, and I highly encourage you to step off the hamster wheel of trying to meet the needs of the growth projections; instead, plan for the people and wildlife, here and now!

• The area above South Hills, known as the top of the Hill or the crest of Samish crest, has already had a portion of it preserved via the Greenways Program, and although that’s important, adding to that space would be a legacy you can all be proud of.
  

  

  Photo by Laurie-Caskey Schreiber - The crest of Samish Crest

  
  

• This area is teaming with wildlife. I personally hike there at least three to four times a week. I have seen so much wildlife that I now hike with my phone on (Pandora on speaker), to let them know that I am passing through. I have seen, multiple coyotes, bobcats, deer, racoons, and rabbits. My neighbor’s property abuts the forest, and he has collected a series of videos of cougars passing through the property with their cubs, year after year. It’s a special area for wildlife and they deserve to have representation and protection.
  

  Chris Sandvig provided permission to post this video he captured early this month of cougars in his backyard, abutting Samish Crest east side forest.

  
  

• This area is easily accessible by at least five neighborhoods (Yew Street, South Hills, Parkhurst, Samish Crest, Samish Hill and Puget Hill). What’s really important is that this area provides walkable recreation to many. It is already enjoyed by hundreds of visitors almost every day. It also provides some of the most gorgeous views of Bellingham! Well worth protecting, so that everyone has access to enjoy this special feature of our town.

  
  

  

  Photo by Laurie Caskey-Schreiber - Walking my dogs on a Samish Crest trail accessed from Governor Road

I want to thank you in advance for giving my comments further consideration. I have the luxury of seeing how our decisions made in 2009, played out. In hindsight, I wished I would have focused more on quality of life in our town and county, rather than just doing whatever I could to meet those growth projection numbers.

Thank you for your service! Your work is important and much appreciated. Warm Regards,

Laurie Caskey-Schreiber

Former Whatcom County Councilmember

Member of the Whatcom Environmental Council

C: Whatcom County Council