The Bainbridge Island Planning Commission reviewed a presentation March 27 regarding housing options allocation, and members expressed different viewpoints on how to accomplish affordable housing to the community.

The Comprehensive Plan has identified the need for additional housing, per the city. Alternative 1, “no action,” would accommodate 1,334 people in Winslow; Alternative 2 would accommodate 6,397 people in Winslow; and Alternative 3 would accommodate 5,412 people.

Multi-unit homes are more efficient, which allows for more density than single-family homes, per city documents.

“I do believe that there is an ethical imperative to strive for as much affordable housing on the island as possible. And I think just saying we can’t meet or just saying those numbers are not applicable feels like it’s kind of like, well, I guess we don’t really have a reason to do it,” Commissioner Criss Garcia said.

Commissioner Ariel Birtley said she likes the idea of using a bookends approach to set core density requirements. “That’s kind of more my vision: painting out what our city looks like in the future and how it meets all of the residents’ needs in terms of parks, transportation and walkability. All of those things are part of that. I think if we step away from the base requirements and look more at these different housing types, it allows us more latitude to paint this picture,” she said.

City Councilmember and council liaison Jon Quitslund described the scope of the housing needs. “We are obligated to plan for and accommodate housing for the full spectrum of economic participants in the community. That’s a very big commitment. It’s an ethical commitment, and it is a strategic commitment for the betterment of this community,” he said.

The commission also learned Winslow’s sewer capacity is sufficient through 2025. Upgrade planning will be required when the plant reaches 85% capacity. The first planned upgrade, slated for completion in 2026, will provide sufficient capacity for 10 to 15 years. The second proposed upgrade, slated to start in 2036, will provide capacity through 2050, depending on growth, Garcia said.