The Director's Chair

April 1st marked a new first for the city. The City launched a live map that will allow the public to answer its most common questions about a property; What is the zoning? Are there critical areas? What can I do with my property? Our Planning Technician, Tiffany Simmons, has spent the last 6 months partnering with a consortium to create our first live and interactive map. Read below to learn more about its capabilities, to watch a live presentation to city council and to learn about additional maps that will be coming online next.

Another first for the department is receiving a list of recommendations from our arborist on planting guidelines to reduce the risk of wildfires. As the threat of wildfires are increasing across our state and having a footing in the west-side forests of Washington and Oregon state, the department has decided it was time to learn more about which plants and trees help retain moisture, reduce the demand for irrigation and do not create a fire fuel hazard. These lists will be used to inform our public and encourage their use in landscaping plans. Look for more information closer to Arbor Day.

Interactive Zoning Ordinance Map

As mentioned above, there is now a live map available for the public to use on the city website. This map is a work in progress and is intended to allow easier public access to information.

The first map launched is a zoning and critical area map. The public can now go to this map, identify the zoning for a parcel, see a handout of basic information about that zone, and send an email requesting more information, if necessary.

While the purpose of the map is to identify zoning, you can find other helpful information on it as well. There are measurement tools, some critical areas, details from Kitsap County about the parcel such as building size and age, aerial imagery, and the ability to print a portion of the map to use for communicating questions to the city. The goal is to add more information, such as current permits, annexation, shoreline jurisdiction, and much more! 



The map was shown to City Council on 4/3/2024 with a brief example of how to use it. You can watch the recording HERE under "past Meetings" at timestamp 2hrs 9min. 

Breaking Ground Soon - Oslo Bay Apartments

The Oslo Bay Apartments project is a residential community comprised of thirteen apartment buildings and a Community Building that encompasses 56-acres. The Oslo Bay Apartments project is located northwest of the intersection of State Route 305 (SR305) and State Route 307 (Bond Road, SR307) and will consist of 468 multi-family residential units including 244 one-bedroom, 208 two-bedroom, and 16 three-bedroom units on three levels within the thirteen buildings, as shown below. A variety of common areas and resident amenities are located throughout the site and within the Community Building. The project also includes the construction of private roads, parking lots, pedestrian pathways, utilities, landscaping, and stormwater management systems. The project will also develop a public road system from SR305 to Viking Ave NW.

For more information and project documents, see the website here.

Land Use Amendments - Approved by City Council

On March 6, 2024, the Poulsbo City Council approved two land use amendment ordinances. Both ordinances include amendments focused on increasing housing supply and diversity. A summary of the amendments can be found here. For more information, see the Code Amendment website here.

Olhava Code Amendments - City Council Review

The Olhava Master Plan (OMP) was submitted to the City of Poulsbo in 1995 and approved in 1997. The property is divided by State Highway 3 into a northern 174-acre parcel and a southern 41-acre parcel. Its approval included a 10-year phasing plan to construct a 50,000 square foot Olympic College, 490 residential units, 840,000 square feet of commercial and 325,000 square feet of business park. This area is commonly known today as College Marketplace. 

In addition to the OMP, a Development Agreement between the property owners, Olympic College and the City was executed in 2004. Also, that same year, mass grading and infrastructure improvements such as roads, sewer and water were constructed and installed along with the grand opening of Olympic College campus in Poulsbo. Since the opening of Olympic College in 2004, approximately 18 development projects have been approved and constructed beginning with Wal Mart and Home Depot in 2006, with the most recent opening of Chipotle and the first phase of the CMP apartments. 

On August 9, 2023, the Poulsbo City Council passed emergency Ordinance No. 2023-11 approving a 12-month development moratorium for vacant undeveloped property zoned Commercial (C-4) and Business Park (BP) within the OMP. A moratorium is a pause on some new development, land use, and construction applications in order for a city to consider new and/or revised development and zoning regulations. The State of Washington grants Cities the authority to adopt a moratorium under RCW 36.70A.390. There were multiple reasons for passing the moratorium, however, the principal purpose is the desire by the City Council to open up more residential capacity in this part of the city. 

Following additional research, consultation with the City Attorney, and discussion with impacted property owners, it was determined that the Olhava Master Plan can only be amended by property owners (or applicants). Therefore, the city did not have the ability to holistically make changes to the OMP. However, amendments to the underlying zoning text could provide opportunities for property owners to construct additional much needed housing. 

The proposed amendments are focused on three items - height increases within specific areas, minor reductions in parking requirements, and strategic revisions to permitted uses. Amendments are proposed for the C-4 Commercial and Business Park zoning districts, which are only found in College Marketplace, along with a very limited amendment to the Residential Low (RL) zoning district for higher education uses. 

On March 26, 2024, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval to the City Council the Olhava/College Marketplace Code Amendments.

City Council will begin their review on April 10, 2024.

• Project Documents can be found here

Comprehensive Plan Update

The City of Poulsbo is undertaking a periodic review and update of its comprehensive plan, as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), RCW 36.70A.130(5). This is an opportunity to revise population and employment growth forecasts with the most up to date data, review existing policies to ensure they make sense for the community, write new policies that reflect the priorities of the community, and confirm that all federal, state, and local requirements are met. 

The next update of the Comprehensive Plan is due December 30, 2024. This update will plan for the next 20 years of population and employment growth through the year 2044.

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities:

• April 10: City Council Workshop – Review of Community Character Chapter
• April 17: City Council Workshop – Review of Housing Chapter
• April 23: Planning Commission Meeting – Transportation Full Chapter
• May 1: City Council Workshop – Review of Capital Facilities Chapter
• May 8: City Council Workshop – Review of Utilities and PROS Chapters

Above: New document available showing the multi-year update process.

The Many Roles of PED Staff

Did you know? On top of the larger land use applications, the PED Department staff also responds to public records requests, business license applications, sign permits, tenant improvements, deck permits, grading permits, and code enforcement requests.

For the month of March PED staff reviewed/responded to:

• 7 New Single Family Homes
• 1 Single Family Addition
• 2 Commercial Tenant Improvements
• 35 Business Licenses
• 12 Public Record Requests
• 3 Tree Cutting and Clearing Exemptions
• 2 Zoning Verification Letters

Planning Commission Calendar

See below for agenda items for Planning Commission meetings. Please note that agenda items are subject to change. Check the website for the official agenda.

April 9:

• Plateau at Liberty Bay PRD Public Meeting
• Discussion on Proposed SR 305 Zoning Changes (subject to change)

April 23:

• Transportation Full Chapter Review (tentative)
• SR 305 Code Amendment Workshop (tentative)

Planning Commission meetings are held as a hybrid - virtually via zoom webinars and in-person at the City Hall Council Chambers. Please check the agenda for meeting information.