The City Council will continue the discussion about tiny home communities and allowing recreational vehicles (RVs) as permanent residences during the September 10 business meeting. 

• New ADUs will not be sold separately from the primary single-family dwelling.
• In Residential zones, the City should create a process for tiny homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) to be considered permanent residences, and they could be allowed as types of ADUs. A property could also have a tiny home or RV serve as the primary dwelling on a property.
• A property could have two tiny homes or RVs serving as ADUs, in contrast with allowing only one traditionally-sized ADU.
• For properties less than 40,000 square feet in size (just under an acre), ADUs won't count towards a property's lot coverage limit.

During the August 13 business meeting, the City Council voted to oppose Initiative 976, a statewide ballot measure that would limit the City's authority to collect car-tab fees.  The ballot measure would cost the City about $600,000 per year if passed by voters during the November election.

The City Council authorized Mayor Kol Medina to sign and send a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on behalf of the Council expressing concern with federal regulations relating to small wireless facilities (SWFs) on Bainbridge Island.

In 2018, the FCC adopted new regulations governing the roll out of SWFs, which includes telecommunications equipment mounted on poles, wires, buildings, etc. meant to facilitate cell phone reception and the transfer of wireless data. The Council is concerned that the new federal regulations unreasonably restrict the City's authority to regulate use of the City right-of-way. The Council is also concerned with the lack of scientific study on the environmental and health impacts of 5G technology, which is the latest generation of SWFs. 

 

Due to broad federal preemption, the City is limited in how it can regulate the rollout of SWFs on Bainbridge Island. While limited by federal law, the City does retain some authority over SWFs, including design standards. However, if the City doesn't adopt permanent design standards then it loses what ability it has to regulate what SWFs will look like and where they can be placed on the island.

During the August 13 business meeting, Council directed staff to continue work on permanent design standards for the wireless facilities and referred the matter to the Planning Commission for its review and recommendation. The Planning Commission will discuss the topic during its September 12 study session.

 

Please help us welcome new staff to the COBI team!  Pictured clockwise from top left:

Brenda Landolt joined the Finance team as Payroll Specialist in July. Brenda previously worked in the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office for five years processing payroll for more than 200 employees. She also held positions in the State's emergency management division and with a private school. She earned a degree in math from Pacific Lutheran University.  

Nick Patton joined Public Works Operations & Maintenance earlier this month as a Maintenance Technician I. Nick previously worked for Kitsap County Public Works for three years and will work with water, sewer and stormwater utilities for the City.

 

Ofc. Bobbie Noel comes to the Police Department from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) where she served as an analyst. She also previously worked for a defense contractor overseas and served in the U.S. Army. She will attend the Academy starting in November. 

 

Ofc. Eric Huska most recently served with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and has previous law enforcement experience with an agency in Colorado. He started the department's field training program this week.