The Mayor has been listening to the request from citizens for more active recreational opportunities in our City such as pickleball and sports courts. She also observed that stormwater vaults, an underground structure designed to manage excess stormwater runoff, are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional stormwater pond. The Mayor saw an opportunity – since the city owns and maintains these vaults after construction – they could serve a dual purpose as an active recreational space in addition to managing stormwater.

Beginning in the spring, the Planning and Economic Development team partnered with Public Works, Parks and Engineering to begin the process of drafting an ordinance to allow new vaults to serve as recreational amenities for the entire community. The Code currently allowed them to benefit the residents of the proposed development only. After multiple discussions with the planning commission, a code ordinance was drafted and taken through the legislative process. The code specifies that in addition to providing recreational space and the development of the amenity, parking, landscaping, signage and lighting may also be required. 

Local Business Highlight: Away With Words

Once her attractive and award-winning window displays have drawn you into this store, the overwhelming scent of locally made bath products will make it so that you will want to stay a while. Owner Elise Lee has worked hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents of Poulsbo and visitors alike. Following a recent paint job turning her store to pastel pink, Elise talked to us about her unique store on Front Street.

Elise and her sister opened her store in Downtown Poulsbo in 2018. The choice to open a store in Poulsbo was not a difficult one for them. Coming from the suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri and after only a brief visit to Poulsbo, the deal was done. Both sisters had fallen in love with what Elise describes as a “charming town with big city amenities and in close proximity to Seattle.” To this day, Elise is amazed by the many visitors who come from afar to visit Poulsbo and her store.

But what is Away With Words? The name invokes the feeling of being whisked away by a good book. The store also features Edit Apothecary, a Poulsbo-made line of bath products which are further meant to help customers “relax and focus on yourself and your mental health” says Elise. The store features 95% female authors as well as many self-published local authors. Most books, such as romance and thrillers, are geared towards women and women empowerment. A large section at the front of the store is a meticulously curated children’s book section where books discussing a wide range of topics can be found.

Elise further explains that seeing so many people visit her store and enjoy the experience is what she thrives for. Her store has a mission to create a safe and inclusive environment for all while also promoting social change and making everyone happier. From subscription books, to collaborations with local businesses, and even book clubs – Elise is certain that there is something for everyone at her store. 

Get to Know The Code - Back 2 School: Code 101

With school starting back up many of us have education on our mind. Have you have always wanted to learn how to understand the City of Poulsbo Municipal Code? Well, we are here to help.

Tip #1: Know how to access the full Poulsbo Municipal Code (PMC). We will make this first lesson quite easy, follow the link here and, if you are a frequent flyer for code, save the website as a favorite in your browser. Occasionally the PMC will reference a larger set of code requirements from the state called the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and it will be linked as it occurs.

Tip #2: Be sure to read the definitions! I know this may be boring, but this can help you find what you are looking for faster. Another method for quick navigation of our code is the lovely search bar on the left-hand side of the webpage.

The code can be overwhelming so take it one step at a time, read it more than once and feel free to reach out to the PED Deptartment with any questions!

Spotlight on Glennwood Planned Residential Development

With Glennwood (formerly Spencer) nearing final plat approval, we decided it was a great time to take a look at this new neighborhood! This project, located near Vinland Elementary School, is advancing quickly. The development project will add an additional 81 new single-family homes to our housing stock. The project includes 2.26 acres of open space and multiple recreational amenities, such as a  big toy structure, passive seating associated with an off-street soft surface trail, and gazebo for enjoyment by the residents. 

Bringing up conversations on new types of amenities that incoming developers might be able to include as part of their projects, Glennwood will have a peculiar new addition. A 4-hole disk golf course! This is a great example of thinking outside the box for recreational amenities.

Above: Big Toy Structure, Walking Path, Bench, and 1 of the Disc Golf Baskets (right). 

Below: New Landscaping at the Entrance to the Neighborhood Park.

The project is getting underway having poured foundations for the model homes. Potential home designs are shown below. 

2023 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments 

The City of Poulsbo Planning and Economic Development Department is now accepting applications for amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan to be considered during the 2023 annual amendment cycle. The amendment requests can consist of changes to text or maps contained in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, including site specific re-designation requests. Application forms and additional information are available on the City of Poulsbo’s website. 

The deadline for submitting applications is 4:00 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. For more information contact Nikole Coleman, Senior Planner, at ncoleman@cityofpoulsbo.com.

Background 

The Comprehensive Plan describes the 20-year vision for Poulsbo and how that vision will be achieved. The plan covers land use, community character, economic development, natural environment, housing, transportation, capital facilities, utilities as well as parks, recreation, and open space. The Comprehensive Plan is mandated by the Washington State Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A).

Annual Amendments

Proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan are considered no more than once per year, as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). All proposals are considered at the same time so the cumulative effect of the various proposals can be determined. However, State law does allow some amendments to be made outside of the normal annual amendment cycle. These include actions such as subarea planning or emergency amendments, for which there are criteria.

Who May Apply

Any person or entity (e.g., private citizens, groups, city departments) may initiate a text amendment, which is a proposal to change the plan text language. Only property owners or their authorized agents may initiate a site-specific amendment.

Timelines

Proposals to amend the comprehensive plan shall be submitted no later than November 15 of each year. The review process generally takes 5-7 months.

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 September:

• Hainze Farm. Organic farm with new residence and barn (with ADU above).
• Nordic Cottages. Partner with Housing Kitsap and construct three, two story cottages at vacant, city owned property.

Above: Conceptual Site Plan for Hainze Farm

Above: Green Shoreline Residence Proposal

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 August PED staff reviewed/responded to:

• 2 New Single Family Homes
• 1 New Multifamily
• 1 Commercial Sign
• 2 Tenant Improvements
• 1 Single-Family Remodel/Addition/Deck
• 43 Business Licenses
• 1 Tree Exemption
• 4 Public Record Requests
• 2 Code Enforcement Cases

Planning Commission Calendar - September

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

September 13:

• Winslow Ridge Public Meeting
• Floodplain Ordinance Public Hearing

September 27:

• Joint PC and CC Growth Strategy Workshop

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

New medical group opens primary care clinic in Poulsbo

Kitsap Sun

POULSBO – A new medical group is launching several primary care clinics in Washington, including one in Poulsbo’s College Marketplace development. Read More..

Nordic Musikk Festival debuting in Poulsbo will fundraise for local nonprofit

Kitsap Sun

On Saturday, over 100 residents will line up at Nordic Hill Manor for Poulsbo's first Nordic Musikk Fest, with over five hours of live music and barbecue, to raise funds for North Kitsap Fishline, a nonprofit food and resource center for low-income residents. Read More…

Poulsbo's Eliason Building, more than a century old, will soon be renovated

Kitsap Sun

POULSBO — The Eliason Building overlooks Front Street, its history stretching back more than a century. Beginning next summer, plans call for major renovations to the old three-story structure and a companion building next door in a project that will give the southern entryway into Poulsbo’s downtown a new look. Read More…