Grant Funding. The Planning and Economic Development Department received three grants in 2022 that wrapped up at the end of June 2023. The first was to implement the Housing Action Plan (HAPI), the second was to support our 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update and the third was a scanning grant of archival records that was split with the Engineering and Building departments.

Collectively, the HAPI and Comprehensive Plan grants allowed the department to pursue a State Route 305 Center Subarea Plan. The plan will be comprised of three parts – a commercial market study, corridor transportation/transit study and the creation of draft design/development standards. This plan will be used to determine if we qualify as a regional or countywide center and to implement regulations to increase development capacity (housing and commercial) along our corridor.

The scanning grant allowed the department to contract out with a consultant to scan 59 banker boxes (over 500 files) and organize almost 90 archival boxes. The Department now can view electronic records from 1969 through 1998, including larger files from historic developments including the Olhava Master Plan and updates of the Shoreline Master Plan and Urban Growth Area boundaries. As a result, we can more quickly respond to public records requests. The Planning, Building, and Engineering Departments have a goal of making our records available electronically and to eventually go paperless. This grant accelerated our ability to actualize this goal.

Engineering Department Update

SR305/Johnson Parkway Roundabout and South Gateway to City Complete.  You may have noticed a new welcome sign at the Johnson Parkway/SR305 roundabout as you approach the Poulsbo southern city limits. Everyone is welcome and you have arrived in Maple Grove. The sign is complete with “Welcome” in three languages, English, Spanish, and Tagalog. In the Lushootseed language

ʔuləc’il čəx ʔal tə čučulac is the phrase “You have arrived in Maple Grove.” This was the name given to Poulsbo originally by the Suquamish Tribe.

Welcome to Poulsbo, you have arrived in Maple Grove.

“Peaceful Waters” at dusk. Roundabout centerpiece artwork by

Elijah Burnett (photo provided by Elijah Burnett)

“Traveling” by Kate Ahvakana

“In the Midst” by Lisa Stirrett, etched on the retaining wall

More than 100 people attended the event and enjoyed a personal tour of the artwork and new non-motorized tunnel, which is the first pedestrian/bicycle tunnel on SR305. The picture below shows a small group of people that participated in this project.

The New Non-Motorized Tunnel on SR305

The construction of the roundabout began in January 2021. Highlights of the project include a new roadway connecting to Noll Road with a shared use path and sidewalks; a newly constructed shared use path that is a small segment of the future Sound to Olympics Trail; removal of one fish barrier on Bjorgen Creek and culverts for two tributary streams; restoration of 2.5 acres of wetlands; and the planting of more than 7,500 tree seedlings. 

Bjorgen Creek Fish Passage

The City of Poulsbo thanks the community for all their support and patience during construction. The new roadway is now officially open to traffic. Welcome to Poulsbo! 

Johnson Parkway Roundabout

Building Department Update

Building Activities. The Building Department issued 50 permits in the month of May, with a total valuation of $11,034,343.34. Residential construction continues for the developments in Blue Heron, Glennwood, Noll Terrace, and Calavista. Commercial development continues to move forward for the College Marketplace Apartments, the Sophie Apartments, Mod Pizza and Chipotle, and Discount Tire.

Please note that on May 24, 2023, the State Building Code Council voted to delay the effective date of the 2021 Washington State Building Codes under emergency rule for 120 days. The new effective date for all building codes is October 29, 2023. Please visit www.sbcc.wa.gov for more information.

Public Works Department Update

Glen Haven Storm Drain Project. Public Works has completed Storm Drain pipe replacement on Glen Haven Place NE. As you can see the old pipe was in need of replacement. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and patience during the project.

Klingle Property Demolition. Demolition of the Klingle Farmhouse and Barn was done by our Public Works Crew last month. The delaptated home was built in 1943 and had been vacant for over 10 years. The property posed a public safety issue and had become a popular area for vandalism.

Solid Waste Recycling News. Public Works hosted Kitsap County’s Household Chemical Collection event on Saturday June 24th, and it was a great success. We really appreciate Kitsap County providing this service for our North Kitsap residents!

Seal Coating Project for 2023. Contractors will be starting on the Sealcoating project for the Stendahl Ridge and Staffordshire neighborhoods. Tentative dates are July 17th through July 21st. Please see attached notice of road work.

Link: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Notice-of-Upcoming-Project.pdf

Housing, Health, and Human Services Updates

Happy Summering from Kim and Jen in the Housing, Health, and Human Services Department!

Senior Specialist Office Hours:  Senior Specialist Eric now has weekly office hours at the Parks & Rec Building every Wednesday from 11am to noon. Come by, say hello, and pepper him with questions; he’s a great source of information about senior activities, resources, and assistance. Caregivers and “FOS” (friends of seniors) always welcome.

Prepare for Smoke: Recent wildfires in Canada are an important reminder to prepare now for summer smoke. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency posts real-time information about air quality (https://pscleanair.gov/) and Kitsap Public Health has great information about staying safe in smokey conditions—including how to build a clean air fan (https://kitsappublichealth.org/information/air_quality.php). Anyone needing masks can request them, anytime, from khendrickson@cityofpoulsbo.com.

Nordic Cottages Update: The City of Poulsbo is partnering with Housing Kitsap and Coates Design to build two cottages in downtown Poulsbo that will provide affordable housing for 8 low-income seniors and/or individuals with disabilities. We’ve been working on the project for well over a year, now, and the Planning Commission will consider its merits at its July 25^th meeting (6pm). Information will be posted here, and the public is welcome: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/planning-commission//

Finance Department Reminders

Seasonal Averaging for Sewer Billing. The sewer portion of your utility bill is based on the metered water used. The City recognizes for residential accounts there may be summer irrigation not flowing into the City’s sewer system, so it takes the winter (November to May) monthly average of water usage and applies this “seasonal averaging” when calculating the sewer portion of your bill from June to October each year. Please remember that you are still billed for all actual water usage.

** MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Seasonal averaging watering began around Memorial Day & end around Leif Erikson/Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. **

Utility Billing Auto-Payment. The City offers auto-pay as an option to pay your utility bill. Have your payment automatically deducted from your bank account on the 20th of every month. Click here for additional details and an application. If you’d like an application mailed to you, please contact the Finance Department at (360) 394-9881.

Parks and Recreation Department Update