FERNDALE, Wash. — Several readers asked about the recent appearance of earthmoving equipment on the northwest corner of W Smith Road and Barrett Road. According to applications for permits with the City of Ferndale, the work will result in construction of 3 warehouse buildings on the site.
This is a project by the property owner, SYB Holding Co. Inc., according to the permit application. SYB Holding Co. Inc. operates several Starvin’ Sam’s Mini Marts in Whatcom County according to state records.
According to the proposed site plan submitted to the city, the 3 warehouse buildings will be 14,500-, 20,400- and 8,725-square-feet. Parking areas will be provided around each building.
Another commercial property showing recent onsite work is located at 2068 Vista Drive. Work is underway to convert the former chiropractic office in preparation for future use as a dental office according to permit applications.
The property was purchased in April by Drs. Rich and Kelsey Ullsmith. The Ullsmiths are licensed dentists according to state records. Kelsey currently operates a dental office in Bellingham and Rich is employed as a dentist with Unity Care NW. It is not known if either of the owners will be operating from the office after renovations are completed.
As a side note, a business began the process of moving into the building on the northwest corner of Northwest Drive and W Smith Road, formerly the location of Greene’s Corner and Pynor’s Market before that. But, according to the business owner, the move was put on hold. According to county records, the nearly 100-year-old building sits on property zoned for residential use. As a result, a conditional use permit (CUP) is being required for it to be used for commercial purposes according to the prospective tenant. It was not certain whether either the property owner or prospective tenant will pursue the CUP when last contacted.
I wonder what the city or developer/s plan to do to upgrade the infrastructure around their businesses, such as road improvement, sewer, etc? There are multi-use residences being built at the back of Shields Estate Rd., which is right across from the new commercial development. In this residential neighborhood, the road is already in disrepair possibly due to a lack of maintenance, and to an increase in the number of vehicles entering the development every day.
The new commercial buildings on Barrett Road will increase traffic congestion at the intersection of Barrette and Smith roads, which is adjacent to the new project. Many accidents occur there each year. With a 4-way stop right there, and visibility across the overpass somewhat impaired, these accidents could be mitigated by some infrastructural improvements. Semi-trucks are also using this intersection as a thoroughfare to access businesses which are relatively inaccessible to semis already. This adds to the congestion. Adding housing developments and commercial businesses to this area, or anywhere in Ferndale, will require planning ahead for adequate infrastructure.
I’d like to amend my statement to state that there is a two-way stop on the Barrett/Slater Rd. Intersection.