The Director's Chair

Senior Planner, Nikole Coleman, was the proud recipient of the 2023 Washington Distinguished Mid-Level Planner Award also known as the Barbara Grace Award at the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association Annual Conference in Spokane on October 12. 

Below is the nomination submitted that outlined her contributions to the planning profession:

Nikole is a rock star! She is a mid-level planner whose passion burns for planning and who strives to keep planning relevant and available to the public while building up the next generation.

Her commitment to the planning profession is demonstrated in multiple ways including 1) providing mentor opportunities for new planners, including high school students; 2) performing tasks no matter how big or small; and 3) keeping the work in the planning department relevant and available to the public. 

No Task Too Big or Too Small   

Small, Medium and Large City – that’s where Nikole has practiced. Her professional experience includes 5 years in Spokane, 2 years in Des Moines and Seattle and 6 years in Poulsbo (she’s hopefully not going anywhere😊!) for a total of 15 years of practice. Nikole has created cheat sheets for the public, updated our webpage, posted ads in the newspaper, written complicated staff reports for high profile projects and led our 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update, including the Buildable Lands Report. Nikole is a true jack of all trades and there is no task too big or too small for her to perform. She is an example for her peers in her abilities to get the work done proficiently, quickly and with a good attitude. 

Mentor Opportunities

Nikole (picture right holding her award) is bringing forward the next generation of planners and has approached it from outside of the box. For example, last year when Poulsbo struggled to fill a vacancy for an entry level planner, Nikole suggested bringing in a candidate (Ashley Weller) that didn’t have a planning background but rather lived in and loved our community. Acknowledging the heart that goes into the profession, Nikole took the time and energy to teach this now assistant planner all aspects of planning from the ground up. A year in, this planner is now taking a lead in shoreline permits, exploring a historic preservation program, and supporting current and long range efforts, largely due to Nikole’s efforts in training our new staff member and giving her opportunities to shine.

Additionally, Nikole targeted a junior in high school (Rory Clark) who expressed interest in the profession and has created a two-year work plan to propel him forward as he pursues planning studies at the college level.

Keeps Planning Relevant

The 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update Public Participation Plan was created by and largely administered by Nikole. Last winter she expressed a desire to learn ESRI Story Map and well…she did. She watched the videos and taught herself the program and launched multiple story maps on the project website. She has also taught herself Canva which she has used to create posters for our outreach events including Coffee with a Planner, Whisper with a Planner (at the Library) and Planner in the Park. We all know that marketing must be a part of our work to get the public involved, and we have reached a broad brush of our community and Nikole keeps looking for more opportunities. Notably, to reach our Spanish speaking community, Nikole worked with IT to get translation services added to our city website. 

Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments:

The PED Department is now accepting applications for site-specific amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan to be considered during the 2024 amendment cycle. The site-specific amendments will be processed with the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update and will not be completed prior to Dec 30, 2024. Text amendments will not be accepted in the 2024 amendment cycle. See the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update website for engaging in the process for text amendments. The deadline for submitting applications is 4:00 pm on Friday, November 15, 2023. Application forms and additional information are available here.

Above: Revised design for College Mercantile (previously approved through Site Plan Review)

Pre-Production

A Pre-Application Conference is a meeting between a project team and staff conducted prior to the submission of a detailed application. Nearly all projects change after the pre-application conference and prior to application submittal. Typically, projects at this stage are very preliminary. Dates, fees, and application forms for pre-application conferences can be found here. 

The following pre-app conferences are scheduled for November:

• Lot B - 459 Hostmark. Remove existing structure, construct SF home.
• 3rd Ave ROW. Block off 3rd Ave NW at Liberty Bay Estates Condominiums.
• Sandstone Ridge. 90 lot Planned Residential Development.
• Windsong Trench. Reroute water that is accumulating outside and under a crawl space.

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 October PED staff reviewed/responded to:

• 2 New Single Family Homes
• 1 Commercial Addition
• 3 Certificate of Approval Reviews
• 1 Sign
• 22 Business Licenses
• 3 Public Record Requests

Spotlight On... Winslow Ridge

Winslow Ridge Planned Residential Development (PRD) is located on 18.64 acres between Vinland Elementary and the cell tower on Rhododendron Lane (see right). The project was approved in November 2022 and construction began with removal of trees in September 2023. Development is anticipated to be completed and home construction to begin in summer 2024.

Eighty-six new homes are planned to be constructed. As shown below, public trail connections will be located along Rhododendron Lane and Superior Street with minor connections providing student shortcuts for those walking to school. A pedestrian connection to Vinland Elementary School and parking are provided on Superior Street.

Lot sizes range from about 4,000 to 7,300 square feet, with an average lot size of 5,500 square feet. the project includes tree retention, 1.86 acres of open space, and a commercial grade training circuit with four stations and signage, 1,500 feet of 5-feet wide gravel walking path with distance monuments, 7 benches along pathways, and a gazebo located along pathway.

Lastly, PRD's require review of architectural design features and home placements to avoid appearance of a long row of identical homes. As shown below, each design incorporates a covered front entry facing the street or common access tract. None of the home designs have a dominant garage projecting forward from the first level. Varying rooflines, color, and materials are being utilized to differentiate between home designs. 

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.

November 14:

• Comprehensive Plan - Transportation Goals and Policies
• Cannabis Code Amendment Discussion

November 28:

• Plateau at Liberty Bay PRD
• Cannabis Code Amendment Review

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.

PED Department Halloween

Above: The PED Department does Barbie! (from left) Disc Golf Barbie, City Planner Barbie, Grandma Barbie, Boss Barbie. Not pictured: Supreme Court Barbie and Consultant Barbie.

Poulsbo in the Press

• Ghoulsbo Halloween Trick or Treat
• Poulsbo to hold 1st Veterans Day Parade
• New Recovery Resource Center Opens in Poulsbo
• A visit to Poulsbo includes great coffee, ceramics and a shop selling dazzling home decor
• Poulsbo OKs 12-month moratorium on Olhava development
• Premier Meat Pies opens new location in Poulsbo
• Poulsbo OKs ‘complicated’ Nordic Cottages site plan
• Poulsbo encourages community to not give cash to panhandlers

November Holidays

The city will be closed on November 10th for the Holiday Observance of Veterans Day and November 23rd and 24th for the holiday Observance of Thanksgiving.