The Director's Chair

The PED Department launched the interactive use of Geographic Information System (GIS) earlier this year with the leading efforts of our Planning Technician, Tiffany Simmons. For the first time, Poulsbo residents can utilize an interactive zoning map to find out information on properties within Poulsbo city limits and the Urban Growth Area, such as zoning, property size and ownership.



We are pleased to provide another GIS tool for the public, the Active Land Use Permits map. This map allows users to identify projects that are under review and under construction. The map contains links to the permitting database for those interested in reviewing project plans. This tool will help to streamline inquiries and public engagement with ongoing projects. 

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. The following pre-app conferences are scheduled for November:

• Johnson Planned Residential Development. Subdivide ~33 acres of vacant land into 81 single-family lots.
• Swanson Infill Short Plat. Subdivide .30 acres of land into two lots.

Notice of Planning Commission Public Meeting

Westry Unit Lot Subdivision. Subdivision of 7.69-acre property in the College MarketPlace (Olhava Master Plan) development into 66 lots and 10 tracts providing for fee simple ownership.

Tuesday November 12, 2024 @ 6:00, or soon thereafter as the agenda determines. Public Meetings are being held as a hybrid virtual/in-person meeting at the web address and call-in number noted below and at Poulsbo City Council Chambers, 200 NE Moe Street, Poulsbo, Washington. This call in number: +1 253 215 8782 and meeting id: 833 0383 5462 are provided for virtual attendance, in addition to this webinar link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83303835462.

The property has approval to construct the 66-unit Westry Village Townhome Apartments (Planning File P-12-22-21-01). No modification of the approved 66-unit Westry Village plan is proposed. The approved plan includes two parking spaces dedicated to each unit and 17 guest parking spaces, 5 recreational amenities (gazebo with multi-family bar-b-que area, courtyard with benches along trail connection, benches along sidewalks in open space tracts, picnic area, professional outdoor exercise circuit along private trail located in open spaces, and public trail located within the required buffer at the west property line), and 31% site landscaping. Proposal retains tree buffer along west property edge and provides stormwater to existing pond located adjacent to site.

The application file may be examined online by going to https://ci-poulsbo-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home > Applications > and search for permit #  P-08-15-24-01. If you are unable to access the file, please call the staff contact for options.

Proposed Code Amendments:

Flex Space and Permit Review Timelines

Commercial Flex Space. "Commercial Flex Space" allows residential units on the first floor of a mixed-use building; provided, that the first floor shall be constructed to commercial building and fire code standards and parking required at the applicable commercial ratio, to accommodate flexibility of use as both residential or commercial, as the market supports.

Following extensive staff research, a summary was provided to City Council at a September 11 workshop (see full memo here). After discussion, the City Council directed staff to begin the Type IV code amendment process with the Planning Commission with consideration for flex space in all four commercial zones, but outside of the Shopfront Overlay in the C1/Downtown zoning district. 

Permit Review Timelines. During the 2023 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 5290, updating portions of the Local Project Review Act, Chapter 36.70B RCW. The intent of the updates was to consolidate, streamline, and improve project review and permitting, with an emphasis on housing development, and to reduce the amount of time it takes for projects complying with local development regulations to receive approval. To accomplish this goal, SB 5290 contained thirteen separate sections including a variety of mandatory and voluntary measures for local government agencies to consider when implementing permit streamlining.

Title 19 PMC establishes the land use review processing standards in the City of Poulsbo. The standards in this chapter detail how a land use application shall be reviewed for compliance with applicable requirements. This includes the requirements for application classification and procedures, public notices, and the review authority issuing a decision. The review procedures in Title 19 ensure that each application is subject to consistent and predictable processes. SB 5290 requires amendments by January 1, 2025. Included with the SB 5290 required amendments are staff initiated amendments for code consistency. 

Planning Commission Workshop. At the November 12, 2024, Planning Commission workshop, staff will provide an overview of proposed code amendments.

Critical Areas Ordinance Update - Kickoff Workshop

The Planning Commission will hold a workshop/open house on Tuesday, December 10th in Council Chambers, 200 NE Moe Street. Staff presentation at 6pm (or soon thereafter) followed by an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the Critical Areas Ordinance Update with staff and Planning Commissioners.

The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires all cities and counties in Washington to adopt regulations protecting “critical areas” in order to preserve the natural environment, wildlife habitats, and sources of fresh drinking water. Critical areas regulation also encourage public safety by limiting development in areas prone to natural hazards like floods and landslides.

Critical Areas Ordinances must be evaluated and, if needed, revised every 10 years per the schedule provided in RCW 36.70A.130. The CAO update is due by June 2025. Check out the project website 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 October PED staff reviewed/responded to:

• 23 Business Licenses
• 6 Public Record Requests
• 1 Single Family Addition
• 1 Tenant Improvement
• 1 Sign
• 3 Shoreline Exemptions
• 3 Tree Cutting and Clearing Exemptions

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 12

• Westry Village Unit Lot Subdivision Public Meeting
• Commercial Flex Space and Permit Review Timeline Workshop

November 26

• Cancelled

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.