City wants to head off possible Winslow issues

By RICHARD D. OXLEY
Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer
June 28, 2012 · 4:49 PM

The city of Bainbridge Island wants downtown Winslow to be for everyone to live, work and play, and is moving to make it official.

The city’s planning department asked the city council Wednesday if council members wanted planners to clarify the standards for downtown development. As the city’s codes currently stand, it is possible for a developer to construct a strictly residential building on the downtown’s main street. The regulations run counter to the city’s comprehensive plan, which encourages the area have a mix of business and residential uses.

The area between Madison Avenue and Highway 305 provides the possibility for 100 percent residential use. City officials, however, also want a vibrant downtown.

“It’s really in the main core of Winslow Way that the main concern is,” said Kathy Cook, director of planning and community development for the city.

“You want to have that vital downtown feeling,” Cook said. “The concern was if you have one of the larger parcels, or if somebody bought many of the smaller parcels, and did a pure condo development, you can detract from the bustle you want.”

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer Richard D. Oxley at roxley@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

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