The Director's Chair

What does tree protection, decreasing the minimum size of Planned Residential Developments from five acres to three acres and increasing the size of accessory dwelling units have in common? They are 2 of 37 proposed amendments to come before the Planning Commission in January in our annual housekeeping package which has been expanded to address state mandates and housing choices. The purpose of the amendments are three fold; keep our regulations consistent with existing and upcoming state mandates, modify regulations based on what we learned through applications in the last year and reduce unnecessary burdens to housing choices (see Code Amendments story below for more details).

In addition, the City Council will review a code amendment that would allow cannabis retail sales, which have not been permitted in the city since allowed on an interim basis in 2013 - 2014. During budget discussions last spring and fall, the City Council requested the Planning Commission make a recommendation on where to allow cannabis retail. Following discussions in November and a Public Hearing on December 12th, the Planning Commission recommended that retail be allowed in the C-2 Viking Avenue and C-3 SR 305 zoning districts, with buffers to specific uses and a maximum of two retailers, one per zoning district. The City Council is scheduled to have a study session on Wednesday, January 10 and has a potential hearing date scheduled for Wednesday, January 17 (see Retail Cannabis story below for more details).  

Also on the 17th, the City Council and public will receive three recaps from the PED Department. The first will be a year in review of 2023 accomplishments, including the incredible amount of progress made on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update. They will also receive its first housing report, which documents 2023 new construction housing trends, and an update on the recommendations and expenses of the Planning Commission (aka Transaction and Expenditure Report). Lastly, the City Council will be provided a progress report on the two moratoriums including a recap of the meeting held with property owners within the Olhava Master Plan and potential code amendments and SR 305 moratorium.

All in all, 2024 is starting off with a flurry of text amendments aimed at paving the way to opening housing choices and variety, increasing long term tree preservation, and providing flexibility and clarity within our municipal code. Please follow along and participate this month in commission and council meetings. 

Retail Cannabis - City Council Public Hearing

During revenue and budget discussions in the spring and fall of 2023, the City Council affirmed their desire to allow retail Cannabis sales and requested that the Planning Commission make a recommendation on the locations that the City of Poulsbo may allow cannabis retail.

On Tuesday, November 28, the Planning Commission discussed the state requirements and considerations, including the buffer standards and impacts on our commercial and light industrial zoning districts. Following a recommendation from staff, the Planning Commission supported limiting the total amount of licenses to two and allowing a maximum of one retail establishment on Viking Way (within C-2 zoning district) and one on SR 305 (within C-3 zoning district). On December 12, 2023, after a duly noticed public hearing, the Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council allow retail cannabis in the C2 and C-3 commercial zoning districts, with limitations. 

Please note that allowing the use does not mean cannabis retail will occur in city limits. A future retailer would, at a minimum, need to acquire a license to operate from WSLCB, and currently all 14 licenses in the county have been claimed.

The City Council Public Hearing is scheduled for January 17, 2024, at 5:00 pm, or soon thereafter. Public hearings are being held as a hybrid virtual/in-person meeting at the web address and call-in number noted below and at Poulsbo City Hall Council Chambers, 200 NE Moe Street, Poulsbo, Washington. This call-in number: 1-253-215-8782 and meeting id: 898 4841 6447 are provided for virtual attendance, in addition to this webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89848416447.

• Notice of City Council Public Hearing
• Project Documents can be found here

Land Use Code Amendments - Planning Commission Public Hearing

The proposed amendments to the Poulsbo Municipal Code (PMC) are presented in 3 categories – Housekeeping, State Mandates, and Housing Diversity.

• Housekeeping amendments are part of the Planning and Economic Development Departments on-going effort to make land use regulations more usable for residents, developers, and City staff by correcting errors, eliminating text ambiguities, codifying internal policies, and reflecting changes in state law. The proposed amendments do not involve significant changes to the code.

• State mandates refer to directives or requirements imposed by the state government on local jurisdictions or municipalities regarding how they plan and regulate land use within their boundaries. Mandates typically come in the form of laws, regulations, or policies that outline specific criteria, standards, and procedures that local governments must follow when making decisions about land development and zoning.

• Housing diversity refers to the variety of housing options available and encompasses a range of housing types, sizes, styles, and price points to accommodate the diverse needs and preferences within the community. The concept of housing diversity recognizes that individuals and families have varying lifestyle preferences, income levels, and household sizes. By providing a mix of housing options, a community can better meet the needs of its residents and create a more inclusive and dynamic living environment.

The Planning Commission Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday January 23, 2023, at 6:00 pm or soon thereafter. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council. Meeting procedures are available from the PED Department and City Clerk’s office and are conducted based on Roberts Rules of Order. Public Hearings are being held as a hybrid virtual/in-person at the web address and call-in number noted below and at City Hall Council Chambers, 200 NE Moe Street. This call-in number: 1 253 215 8782 and meeting id: 813 4761 3119 are provided for virtual attendance, in addition to this webinar link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81347613119

• Notice of Planning Commission Public Hearing
• Project Documents can be found here

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 December PED staff reviewed/responded to:

• 1 New Single Family Home
• 1 Sign
• 1 Tenant Improvement
• 1 Grading
• 1 Accessory Dwelling Unit
• 23 Business Licenses
• 3 Public Record Requests

Spotlight On... 4th Avenue Apartments

4th Avenue Apartments is an approved project to construct a 72-unit multi-family apartment complex consisting of two 36-unit 3-story buildings; a separate 1,500 sf clubhouse with community room, leasing office and fitness; new surface parking for 124 vehicles with private garages for 20 vehicles and carports for 52 vehicles; covered bicycle storage; landscaping; and recreational areas. Frontage improvements require new curb, gutter, and sidewalk.

The proposal requires 4 recreational amenities. They are provided as follows: Clubhouse with community room and fitness area (large amenity, counts as two amenities), outdoor patio and barbecue area, courtyard seating area at each building, walking path with seating areas connecting the buildings. Each unit also has the minimum 48 square feet of exclusive accessible outdoor private space in the form of patios and decks.

84% of the total property area is to be landscaped, which includes retention of natural vegetation on the slopes. 31% of the total property area is to be disturbed for this project. Of that disturbed area, 47% will be landscaped. 

Multiple design features are provided for all building facades facing public and private drive aisles and roadways. Features include a variety of façade modulations and rooflines, the use of at least 3 different cladding materials, patterns or colors, and architectural details including a variety of window configurations, balconies, and deep overhangs with wood beams.

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.

January 9:

• Code Amendments: Housekeeping, State Mandates, and Housing Variety
• Comprehensive Plan Update: Health and Human Services Full Chapter

January 23:

• Code Amendments Public Hearing: Housekeeping, State Mandates, and Housing Variety
• Comprehensive Plan Update: Land Use Full Chapter

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.

Poulsbo in the Press

• North Kitsap drug recovery center opens in Poulsbo
• Poulsbo's annual Julefest celebration
• Bluebills volunteers help Poulsbo Mobile Home Park residents eviction
• Fishline’s ‘cheesy’ fundraiser a hit in Poulsbo
• The Poulsbo Blues and Jazz Festival is coming in February
• Olympic College to expand 10 new health care programs in Poulsbo

January Holidays

The city will be closed on January 15th for the Holiday Observance.