The Director's Chair

The holidays are upon us and I am taking the opportunity with the last Director’s Report of 2023 to reflect back on this past year.

The year kicked off with a story map of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update which included a survey on how and where the City should plan to accommodate growth. In February, interviews were held with key stakeholders for the SR305 corridor to inform the Leland Market and Feasibility Study. March and April were spent monitoring and analyzing the multiple bills that were passed in this years legislative session with over 50 bills proposed (not all passed) specific to housing, land use planning, transportation and climate change. April also marked the launch of community input on the four growth alternatives for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update.

The summer weather heated up, along with our our 2024 Comprehensive Plan outreach efforts, with over ten public participation events including Saturdays at the Farmers Market, Coffee with a Planner, weekdays at the library, and Summer Nights o the Bay. Additionally, our GIS mapping efforts were bolstered with the addition of our summer intern, Mark Dettman, in partnership with Tiffany Simmons, Permit Specialist and PED Department GIS lead. Ultimately, a new interactive mapping web application is in the wings to be launched in the new year.

Fall brought a pause to development on vacant, commercial properties along the SR 305 Corridor and within the Olhava Master Plan (College Marketplace), as well as those zoned Business Park with the passage of two moratoriums. These moratoriums will provide the opportunity for the City to explore opening up and incentivizing housing options within two (2) of our four (4) commercial zones.

This time last year, we welcomed our newest planner, Ashley Weller, and this year we celebrated her one-year anniversary. Ashley is rapidly taking on more complex land use permits, has completed a cultural resources handout and is in the process of providing a Housing Report that will highlight the type of units built this year.

The end of the year brought an end to the Planning Commission's initial review of goals and policies with the completion of the final chapter, transportation, in November. Nine (9) chapters of goals and policies and eight (8) full element chapters were reviewed by our planning commission over the year. Also notable, the housing allocation numbers, which sets the stage for the housing types we will target in the next 20 years, was finalized for the city and the cities within the county.



Much of this work and more (see summary of land use permits in 2023 below) was accomplished by our team of five along with support from our two interns and special project planner, Karla Boughton. Our work is informed and improved by the city’s many talented employees as well our engaged citizenry. I am thankful to work with such a talented team alongside a thoughtful and engaged leadership team, the Planning Commission, City Council and Mayor. On behalf of the Department, we are looking forward to what we can accomplish together in 2024.

Retail Cannabis - Planning Commission 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.

The Planning Commission had a light touch on the topic in the spring and requested that representatives from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB), input from neighboring jurisdictions, and insight from an owner of cannabis retail attend the Planning Commission discussion to inform their considerations on location.

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). The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on December 12th and, after hearing from the community, will make a recommendation to the City Council. 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.

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

Comprehensive Plan Update - Planning for Housing

Housing for people is the foundation of any community. Most people identify strongly with the community in which they live. Cities that grow in number of people and jobs are the most vibrant—and the most in need of housing. To serve a variety of household sizes, ages, incomes, and preferences, a variety of housing choices are critical.

Poulsbo is a city with many assets that make it a desirable community of over 12,000 residents. While the city has benefited in years past from relatively lower costs compared to King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, rapid population growth coupled with a lack of housing supply has resulted in an increased demand for housing and rising costs. The limited supply of certain housing types and resulting cost pressure is contributing to a displacement of long-term Poulsbo residents, while also presenting a barrier for middle to low-income households to find housing.

Local governments mainly do not provide housing directly. Typically, private developers produce most housing units in a jurisdiction. Local governments set the conditions in place to encourage the market to develop housing affordable to all members of the community. Housing planning and policymaking are integral functions of cities, and essential for supporting inclusive, diverse, and economically vibrant communities. Reviewing, evaluating, and updating housing plans, policies, and associated development regulations can help jurisdictions meet evolving community needs for housing variety and affordability, as well as achieve other planning goals for land use, economic development, transportation, and the environment.

Check out the new informational document - Planning for Housing

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 November PED staff reviewed/responded to:

• 1 New Single Family Homes
• 1 Sign
• 40 Business Licenses
• 5 Public Record Requests

2023 Year in Review - Other Reviews

• 153 Single Family New
• 1 Accessory Dwelling Unit
• 8 Single-Family Remodel/Deck/Addition
• 20 Signs
• 1 Commercial Multifamily
• 9 Commercial Tenant Improvement
• 4 Commercial New/Addition
• 242 Business Licenses
• 52 Public Record Requests
• 9 Clearing and Grading

Spotlight On... Lincoln Cottages

Lincoln Cottages PRD is located on Lincoln and 12thrd and 12th Ave. The project is approved to develop 4.98 acres into a 21 single family lots. 1.7 acres of open space with tree retention and stormwater vaults is proposed. Improvements include amenities (loop trail with benches, community garden with raised beds, open play area with picnic tables and benches, connecting walkway to Lincoln Road), roads, and utilities and stormwater facilities.

Lot sizes range from about 3,800 to 6,200 square feet, with an average lot size of 4,300 square feet.

Seventeen homes face a public street and 4 face a private access drive. Each home incorporates a covered front porch facing the street/drive (as shown in the images below). 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.

December 12:

• Cannabis Code Amendments Public Hearing
• Housekeeping, State Mandates, and Housing Variety Code Amendment Initial Discussion

December 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.

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

December Holidays

The city will be closed on December 25th for the Holiday Observance.