Follow SEPA appeal

To the editor:

Bainbridge Island residents want thoughtful, affordable housing solutions—ones that support families, seniors, and workers while preserving the character that embraces our community and respects our environmental constraints. We are making strong progress. Between 2025-2027, the island has added or approved 210 lower‑density homes, including moderate‑density multifamily units and single‑family residences. At this pace, we are on track to meet the HB 1220 target of 1,977 units by 2044, without resorting to high‑density urban-development.

Despite this, the city continues to push a high-density project where rushed decision‑making increases the risk of expensive mistakes that taxpayers may ultimately bear. Residents who have raised concerns are not opposing housing; they are asking the city to follow its own requirements for other affordable income projects and to address environmental and infrastructure impacts, planning responsibly.

Fortunately, a SEPA Appeal was filed to slow down this aggressive, developer driven-process and ensure proper review. Community members can follow the SEPA Appeal hearing at: gofundme.com/f/help-ensure-accountability-support-the-sepa-appeal, which includes links, updates, and additional information.

Bainbridge Island is already adding the kind of lower‑density, well‑planned, diverse affordable housing that fits our community and meets our obligations. It is adding a diverse array of affordable housing projects that weave into the fabric of our community, and that have community backing and local agency support (HRB, Kitsap Housing and caring individuals). The choice is not between “no growth” and “urbanization,” but between rushed, high‑risk development and smart, steady progress to help affordability that residents overwhelmingly support.

Nora Masters

Bainbridge Island