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Message from the City Manager
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Dear Bainbridge Island Residents,
Last week, the City began construction on the Sound to Olympics Trail. This project will complete the "first mile" of the Sound to Olympics Trail, which will eventually travel from Winslow Way to the Hood Canal Bridge, with an eastern spur to Kingston.
On Bainbridge Island, the project will encourage non-motorized transportation, provide ADA accessibility, improve drainage and safety features, incorporate native plantings with visual and acoustic buffers, and promote all modes of non-motorized transportation and connectivity to branch trails on the Island.
For many of us on the island, including myself, the removal of trees that occurred at the beginning of construction was quite a visual shock. City staff recognized construction of the Sound to Olympic Trail would be a challenging project to retain existing vegetation due to the required width of the trail, the steep slopes and required grading, and the relatively narrow right-of-way area. Many of the requirements were necessary for the trail to be accessible to residents with all types of mobility considerations, and for the project to receive $1,946,250 in federal grant funding (87% of the total funding for the project).
To balance the needs of the trail, the desire to have a trail that was accessible to all, and the desire to retain as many trees as possible, the City pursued the following additional efforts beyond normal project requirements:
- The City commissioned additional tree survey to identify all trees over 8" dbh on the project site.
- The design incorporates several walls to retain slopes for tree retention.
- Before demolition began, City staff walked the entire project with the contractor to identify trees on the margins of the project that could be retained.
Additionally, the landscape plan for the project not only involves removing extensive existing invasive plants, but it also includes planting almost 300 trees as well as native shrubs and groundcovers.
Though it was difficult for many of us to see so many trees removed, I believe that in less than a year we will have a beautiful community asset that:
- Is surrounded by a healthy forest free of invasive plants
- Provides a safe path for cyclists of all ages and abilities
- Creates safer conditions for vehicles travelling from High School Road to the Ferry Terminal on SR 305
- Provides a safe walking path from High School Road to Winslow Way and Downtown Bainbridge Island
- Allows for more access across the island for those with mobility challenges
To learn more about the history of the project, including the community meetings that were held leading up to the project being approved by the City Council, visit the Sound to Olympics Project page on the City website.
Best,
City Manager, Bainbridge Island
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City seeks Comment on 'Something New' Public Art Proposal
The City of Bainbridge Island is seeking public com
 ment on a proposal to bring new
public artworks to the Winslow area in rotating, year-long exhibits.
The "Something New" program, proposed by the Public Art Committee, would establish up to four sites for outdoor sculptures. Works would be selected through a juried process, and would be displayed for a year and then rotated out for new sculptures.
A public meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 in the Council Chamber at City Hall to gauge community support, and solicit possible locations for artworks if the program is approved by the City Council.
"Something New" is modeled after similar "temporary art" programs in communities around the country. Sculptures would be on loan from the artists for the 12 months they are on display.
"The popularity of the new 'Tribute Baskets' sculptures at the Waypoint shows that outdoor art can really enhance our public spaces," said Carl Sussman, chair of the Public Art Committee. "'Something New' is an opportunity to bring more public art to the island at low cost, providing a great amenity for islanders and visitors alike."
Estimated costs for the program are about $13,000 per year, after a $15,000 startup cost to construct plinths, or concrete bases, in the chosen locations.
Funding would come from the City's dedicated Public Art Subfund. Under City ordinance, 2 percent of eligible components of certain public works projects go into the fund for public art projects.
The Public Art Program is administered by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge under contract with the City of Bainbridge Island.
Additional information on "Something New" is available from Arts & Humanities Bainbridge,
[email protected].
Written comment on the proposal can be submitted to Kellie Stickney, Communications Manager, by
email, or by phone at 206.780.3741 or in writing to Arts & Humanities Bainbridge, 221 Winslow Way West, Suite 201, BI WA 98110.
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2017 Critical Areas Ordinance Update
Open House and Public Comment
The City of Bainbridge island is beginning the required update of its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) under the Washington Growth Management Act. The CAO (Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Chapter 16.20), is the portion of local code which provides development standards for protecting the environment and minimizing risk to human safety. Critical areas include:
- Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas;
- Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas;
- Frequently Flooded Areas;
- Geologically Hazardous Areas; and
- Wetlands.
The Planning Commission would like to hear your ideas, interests and concerns regarding the critical areas ordinance as it begins the update process. This is the first of several opportunities for the public to provide input on potential revisions to the CAO. An Open House will be held on Thursday, April 13 between 6:00 to 6:30pm, followed by an opportunity for public comment from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., both events take place in the City Hall Council Chamber.
Submit Comment:
You may provide oral comments at the April 13, 2017 meeting. Written comments may be emailed to [email protected], or mailed to the Department of Planning and Community Development at City Hall no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2017.
For more information, contact Christy Carr
, AICP, Senior Planner, Department of Planning and Community Development, pcd@bainbridgewa.gov or 206-780-3719.
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- City Hall is still collecting socks for individuals experiencing homelessness. Please drop off new or laundered used socks at City Hall or Buckley and Buckley Real Estate at 168 Winslow Way W. For more information contact Kellie Stickney, Communications Manager at [email protected].
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Central Ward Meeting with Councilmember Michael Scott, Councilmember Wayne Roth, and Deputy Mayor Ron Peltier: Saturday, April 8, 10:00 a.m. to noon at City Hall Council Chamber.
South Ward Meeting with Councilmember Sarah Blossom, Councilmember Roger Townsend and Deputy Mayor Ron Peltier: Saturday, April 15, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Treehouse Café, 4569 Lynwood Center Rd NE.
- On Wednesday, April 12 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the City of Bainbridge Island will
 be hosting an Open House to give the public an opportunity to learn about different sites being considered for the new Police and Municipal Court Building. This Open House will be one of many opportunities for the community to help inform the process of replacing our outdated and undersized Police Station. More information can be found online on the Project Page on the City website.
- Citizen Advisory Groups advise the City Council on a variety of important City issues. We are currently seeking volunteers to fill openings on the Design Review Board, Environmental Technical Advisory Committee, Ethics Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Marine Access Committee, Multi-Modal Transportation Advisory Committee, Planning Commission and the Utility Advisory Committee. Volunteers commit to serving a three-year term, and can serve up to two terms in total. Applications for these positions are due by close of business, Friday, April 28, 2017, and can be found online on the City website. Questions can be directed to Roz Lassoff, Executive Assistant at 206.780.8624.
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