The city of Bainbridge Island has entered the permitting process to build a new parking lot on city owned land next to Manitou Beach.

City officials submitted a development application in early March, and applied for shoreline variance and shoreline substantial development permits in early January.

The parking lot project is currently undergoing an environmental review, and the comment period will run through Monday, April 11.

The proposal itself, however, dates back years. City staff suggested creating a parking area near Manitou Beach in 2014, and the city council approved the final design for the project in June 2015.

The development includes a four-stall gravel parking lot near the front of the city’s lot on Manitou Beach Drive, plus two bike racks and other improvements.

The project also includes a new boardwalk that juts out from the shore. The boardwalk, which is expected to be primarily timber- or steel-framed with concrete decking, will be 6 feet wide and 36 feet long.

City officials have touted the project as a way to provide safe public access to the Manitou Beach shoreline. Even so, the proposal to build a parking lot for Manitou Beach visitors was highly controversial in the neighborhood.

Residents near the city-owned land warned of increased litter, noise and traffic and possible environmental damage that could come from higher numbers of visitors to the area. Some also said the land has a history of flooding, or pointed to past problems with public rowdiness and drinking on the property.

But other islanders said building a small parking lot across the street from the beach would give other Bainbridge residents a chance to visit and enjoy Manitou Beach, which has one of the best skyline views of Seattle from anywhere on the island.

Comments on the project can be submitted to city planner Heather Beckmann at hbeckmann@bainbridgewa.gov.