BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Bellingham’s effort to expand its city limits to the northeast has been shot down.

Bellingham City Council voted 5-1 with one abstention on Monday night to reject an ordinance that would have annexed roughly 146 acres of land near Squalicum High School.

The parcel of land stretches from Britton Road near the Mount Baker Highway, south towards Barkley Boulevard and to the east at Toad Lake Road.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that over 60% of property owners in the area petitioned the council to expand city services in late 2023.

Council member Hollie Huthman was among the critics of the annexation, citing the city’s $10 million budget shortfall.

“It’s difficult, facing the budget outlook that we have right now, to consider making that hole a little deeper,” Huthman said. “It comes down to, who is it that we would potentially have to cut on staff in order to make room for this action.”

The annexation was projected to cost over $200,000 every year.

The area in question, known as the Northern Heights neighborhood, houses roughly 700 people and Whatcom Fire Station 12.