The Bainbridge Island City Council reviewed a presentation about the future affordable housing development at the site of the former police station on Winslow Way and conducted a robust discussion about the council’s desired direction as part of its July 15 meeting.

Nidhi Vishak of Seattle-based Runberg Architecture Group provided the council with a preliminary overview of some of the design and technical specifications, including parking spaces and the number of proposed units. The city has asked Low Income Housing Institute and Runberg to do another preliminary design/rendering, Shannon Hays, city communications coordinator, said. City manager Blair King said the project is estimated to cost around $47.2 million, with an expected completion date of spring 2029.

The council voted in favor of forwarding a request to the Planning Commission regarding a future ordinance for city council consideration. Councilmembers Kirsten Hytopoulos and Clarence Moriwaki voted against the motion. Hytopoulos said she’s concerned about the amount of parking for residents as well as general affordability concerns for BI residents.

“They are not walking down the street to shop at Town & Country. I would argue they’re not going to really be able to afford to shop at our Safeway, she said. “People need cars to get groceries and other supplies that they’re going to need.”

Councilmember Joe Deets shared his perspective on the importance of receiving tax credits, and added affordable housing is a priority for the city council.

“Now, you could say cart before the horse, but we need this project to pencil out, otherwise it won’t happen. Affordable housing is right up there in our number two priority,” he said.

Councilmember Brenda Fantroy-Johnson reiterated that the intention of the presentation wasn’t for the council to take more formal action, but rather a preliminary design for informational purposes aimed at providing additional opportunities for input.

“We are trying to do something here that is kind of unique for Bainbridge Island. We’re trying to build some workforce housing. We’re trying to make sure that the people who work here can live here,” she said. “ We’re doing it according to what has been asked of us and what our policies say. We’re asking for a couple of deviations, but they’re still in line with the comprehensive plan.”

Moriwaki said he wants to ensure the public has an ample opportunity to provide input.

“I realize that when you change that formula, you lose, perhaps, opportunities of different grants. What I’m hearing from my colleagues (is) there’s a lot of moving parts, but on process, whatever we do, I hope that we will bring it forward at a meeting where there is at least an opportunity for the public to respond or to weigh in,” he said.

Councilmember Leslie Schneider said her priorities are centered around both process and design. One design element Schneider said she would like to see is a pedestrian overhang. Regarding the process, Schneider said she feels the project is a unique opportunity for the council.

“There aren’t going to be too many projects like this on Bainbridge Island that are going to be 100% affordable and and I don’t think this is going to sort of upset the apple cart if you know what can happen in the future,” she said.

Deputy mayor Jon Quitslund shared his support for the project.

“We’re always going to be working within constraints of various kinds, including financial considerations and the practicalities of the building process and engineering to design. So I’m standing way outside of an architectural practice, but I do appreciate the difficulties of making the best decision and the best accommodation of things.”

Mayor Ashley Mathews shared how she wants the council to be aware of concerns around possible stereotypes about affordable housing projects.

“The way we speak about this project, and the way we speak about the lovely potential folks who are going to fill that and live there…is so important to how the community accepts this project and accepts people,” she said.

Quitslund said he doesn’t want to move the discussion away from the council; rather, he wants additional input from the Planning Commission to provide the council with more feedback on the proposal.

The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Aug. 14.