The first steps for updating the Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan will start next week.

Bainbridge’s first public meeting, called Comprehensive Plan 101, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 at Bainbridge High School.

The meeting will introduce the process for updating the comp plan and overview the Growth Management Act.

In accordance with the state Growth Management Act, the city is required to adopt an updated comp plan by June 30, 2016.

The city has dubbed the process for doing so “Navigate Bainbridge: Charting Our Future Together” to reflect a path forward that incorporates Bainbridge community values.

Municipal comprehensive plans establish the vision for how a community wishes to grow, and works to preserve particular features a community wants to be maintained over the next 20 years.

At next Tuesday’s meeting, residents will be able to hear a presentation by Joseph Tovar, an American Institute of Certified Planners Fellow.

Tovar has extensive experience in the comprehensive plan process and has also contributed to the development of the Growth Management Act.

He spent 12 years as a member of a Growth Management Hearings Board and has drafted several successful amendments to the GMA.

Tovar has also served as planning director for the cities of Shoreline, Kirkland and Covington. He is currently an associate adjunct professor at the University of Washington.

Following his presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion that will include City Manager Doug Schulze, Planning Director Kathy Cook and Public Works Director Barry Loveless.

Residents can submit questions for the discussion prior to the meeting at pcd@bainbridgewa.gov or at the beginning of the meeting.

For more information, contact the planning department at 206-842-2252.