Get the Facts!

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 Hi. I am Denise Lones. I am an analyst, involved in local, state, and national legislative issues, but live and work in Whatcom County. 

I am here to educate the public on what exactly Proposition 2025-07 is, how we got here, but I am letting the facts speak for themselves so YOU can make an informed decision. 

This decision is 100% in the hands of the voters in the City of Blaine. YOU are in charge of Blaine’s growth. 

Let’s take a look at East Blaine. In 1996, this area was annexed into the city limits. 

Areas are annexed in order to allow for city-level density. The attempt to provide housing in Grandis Pond, an area remote from the City center with valuable environmental features, just does not work.

 The Grandis Pond development called for 1013 single family and multi-family housing units and more than 48,000 square feet of commercial space. The Grandis Pond development was approved in 2011.  After extensive financial review, primarily due to issues pertaining to wetlands and infrastructure requirements, the land was sold in 2023. The permits for the Grandis Pond project, called entitlements, expired in July of 2025. 

The new owners have a rural vision for the property. They have said they don’t want to develop it and therefore those housing units that were planned in this area will not come to fruition. 

The City honored this request. It was reviewed by the Planning Department and other City departments, the Blaine Planning Commission, and the City Council. The Whatcom County Final EIS also reviewed the proposal and concluded de-annexation is the 'preferred Alternative’. 

All agreed the request was important to place before the voters and proceeds with the voters' approval. 

This actually spells opportunity for the Blaine residents who want to keep this area pristine!

We have learned a lot about the importance of wetlands and water since the area was first annexed. And the East Blaine area is ripe with them! – wetlands, wildlife, forests full of native trees and plants. All important for maintaining our water systems and hydrology.

In fact, did you know that Blaine’s water comes from 9 deep wells? Wetlands like these are important for maintaining our groundwater and the aquifers that supply Blaine’s drinking water. 

The City of Blaine is now between a rock and a hard place. 

The City’s Comprehensive Plan, the planning documents which spells out how Blaine is going to grow over the next 20 years, is due at the end of December. The decision to de-annex needs to be made by the voters NOW – and it needs a YES vote by 60% of the voters. 

As an analyst, I think about what will happen if this de-annexation does not go through. And I have some concerns:

Inefficient Planning – if Blaine has to continue planning as if Grandis Pond is going to be developed, that means inefficient planning dollars spent on things like planning salaries and water and sewer lines 

I am concerned about Blaine’s tax dollars being used to pay for these inefficiencies at a time when the City has budget concerns.  

I am concerned about the price of housing continuing to increase because of this inefficient planning 

And I am concerned that Blaine will be saddled with this decision for decades to come and we will have missed this opportunity to do something really smart for our community.   

Now, a concern I have heard is “if we take this area out of Blaine, then this area will go in.” 

This vote is not about determining what area WILL get annexed into the City or added to the Urban Growth Area by the State Growth Management Act. It is true that Blaine will be forced to determine other suitable areas for growth. That is mandated by the state and Blaine has to make land available to accommodate the future population numbers provided by the state and Whatcom County. 

Luckily, you can make your voice heard in that process too! But for now, in this election, the only thing YOU have to decide is whether East Blaine should be part of the city - its forests and wetlands filled

with high density housing,– OR – should it be left rural, forested, and a pristine aquifer recharge area for Blaine’s drinking water supply?

A better Blaine starts with smart boundaries, smart planning, and smart spending. A better Blaine is up to you, and only you – Blaine voters. 

Thank YOU for taking the time to get educated on this issue. It is citizens like you who will make the difference. I have faith that you will do the right thing for Blaine.