Public hearings on the Bainbridge Island multifamily tax exemption areas and extending the Landmark Tree Ordinance will be discussed at tonight’s City Council meeting on Zoom at 6.
The draft Plastics Ordinance also will be discussed. While it prohibits many plastic items some are exempt until Jan. 1, 2023, including produce bags. And the BI Ride concept also is on the agenda.
The tax exemption areas would be in the greater Winslow and Lynwood Center areas. The goal is to encourage more development of multifamily housing in those areas. The property tax exemption for affordable housing unilts would extend for eight, 12 o 20 years. Projects must have at least four multifamily residences.
As for the tree ordinance city staff will further refine the proposed code changes. After holding a second public hearing, it is expected that the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the council on the following chapter and sections of the BIMC; tree removal, forest stewardship and vegetation maintenance, landscaping screening and tree protection and replacements, aquifer recharge areas and landmark tree and the community forest best management practices manual as well as respond to proposed suggestions from the City Council.
Pertaining to BI Ride, the council will consider $100,000 from the Transportation Benefit Fund to support that program. In 2019 BI increased vehicle license fees $10 for certain purposes. Kitsap Transit is launch a mobile app for a BI Ride bus for on-demand transportation on the island. B.I. Ride is a shared-ride service that KT operates on BI by both rider request and by serving scheduled stops. The service operates weekdays 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cash fare is $2. BI would be the first community in the state to pilot the app, according to the company.
The council also will:
*Consider a $187,000 contract for assessment of the Manzanita watershed. The city needs to define locations where stormwater facilities could be located.
*Consider a contract for about $196,500 for upgrades to water and sewer telemetry.
*Juneteenth, the celebration of the end of slavery, will be June 19 in BI, a city proclamation says.
*Consider appointments to the Climate Change Advisory Committee: Michael Cox, Lara Hansen and Derik Broekhoff are to be reappointed with new members Steve Richard and John Kydd.
*Consider appointments to the Planning Commission: Ashley Mathews would be reappointed and Yesh Subramanian would be appointed.
*Consider appointments to the Design Review Board: Joseph Dunstan and Vicki Clayton would be reappointed.
