To the editor:

In response to Chiara D’Angelo’s tree sit, Visconsi Co. has issued a statement regarding their new shopping complex claiming that:

1. They are developing their property in a manner intended by the city:   The Visconsi development is not consistent with our comprehensive plan.  First of all, it will not complement downtown Winslow, something called for in both the comp plan and the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code. It will diminish the special character of the island, is not pedestrian-oriented, is too intense a use for the High School II zoning district, and removes too many trees. Also, does not conform with LU1.4,

2. Their development was approved by all city commissions:  Not true.  The Visconsi development proposal was unanimously rejected by the planning commission citing safety concerns and inconsistency with the comp plan.

3. They have met with Islanders for Responsible Development and “reached common ground”: Only on a short list of very minor changes and conditions. IFRD does not support this unneeded sprawling development

4. Visconsi has collaborated with IFRD to identify an arborist: IFRD was allowed to suggest arborists with no obligation by Visconsi to select any of them. Regardless, their arborist played a very limited role in determining the extent of tree removal on the Visconsi’s site.

5. The Visconsi complex could be legally more than twice as large: Only if they incorporated multi-story buildings and underground parking.  Visconsi’s preferred sprawling site plan has effectively maxed out the legally allowed density of the site.

6. Their development is pedestrian friendly: This development was sold to islanders as “U Village” with a central pedestrian oriented gathering place. It is, and has, neither. What it does have, however, is a lumber yard access running right through the middle of it and two busy roads separating it from the rest of the High School commercial area.

RON PELTIER

Islanders For Responsible Development