The Steering Committee for the Winslow Subarea and Comprehensive Plans is just getting started and already there’s a sticking point.

Planning director Patty Charnas told the three Bainbridge Island city councilmembers and three planning commissioners on the panel at a recent meeting that part of the process is the public’s ability to fill out a form saying, “I want to do” something with a piece of property.

Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos said that’s “an assault on the Comprehensive Plan” process that calls for amendments every three years. This new concept would make it so much easier to get something like a rezone, she said.

But Councilmember Leslie Schneider said, “This could bring new ideas to the table that are not being considered.” She added if officials don’t like what’s on the form, “We have the choice, and can say you have to wait.”

Charnas said it should just be considered as “scoping.”

The planning director said the city already knows a few people who want to take advantage of the form to reclassify property rather than go through the amendment process. She said there will be a matrix and applications will need to align with the Comp Plan, meet targets for housing and population, and minimize adverse impacts.

Charnas mentioned BI is getting a late start on its Comp Plan as it’s due in December of 2004. However, as long as it’s making progress it could go later. She called the Comp Plan a “look-see on everything.”

Emerging Vision

The panel reviewed a document containing a vision for the Subarea Plan.

It says, in part: Winslow needs to be a vibrant community, the center for islanders and visitors. Art, culture and local businesses need to create economic vitality. Winslow needs to balance environmental goals social imperatives and new development. Diverse, affordable and accessible housing are needed to foster inclusion and diversity. Ecological resources and open spaces are priorities. Multimodel transportation for all ages and abilities are desired while investing in green infrastructure.

Hytopoulos said it’s too long, and it needs to be flushed out in the community.

Planning Commissioner Sarah Blossom said it’s not a vision statement, but a starting point.

Planning Commissioner Sean Sullivan said it combines inclusion and affordable housing when each should be considered on its own merits.

Planning Commissioner Ashley Mathews said there are all kinds of diversity, including economic.

Schneider focused on open spaces. “There are so many underutilized spaces where people in Bainbridge could gather,” she said.

Outreach

Ideas were brought up on how to reach the public about the need for its input. Those included: readerboard, banner, social media, bulletin boards, newspapers, civic organizations, schools and more.

Mathews said groups like the NAACP, chamber and League of Women Voters can send out information to those involved in those groups. “We can delve into each of our individual spheres,” she said, adding the plans they are working on are the “heart of the community.”

Hytopoulos said she’s found with the city it needs to try every method possible to communicate with the public as people often say they have “no idea it’s coming until they drive by it.”

Councilmember Jon Quitslund said the Comp Plan will be done element by element so people will want to know exactly when their issue of utmost importance —such as housing or equity—will be discussed so they can be involved. “Let them know their input is welcome.”

Mathews said they basically need a marketing campaign on “how the community can be engaged.”