Five Man Electrical Band was a Canadian rock group that in 1970 had a hit song in the U.S. that still speaks to Bainbridge Islanders today.
Its chorus was, “Sign, sign everywhere a sign, blockin’ out the scenery…”
The proliferation of signs cluttering Winslow is a problem the BI City Council will be looking to solve. It delayed a presentation on it Oct. 8 because the meeting was running long.
But during public comments, it was a popular topic.
John Carson, executive director of the BI Downtown Association, said while not “perfect” a law proposed by city staff is a “positive step.” Carson said, “Unfortunately it’s become a free for all.” He added that dozens of the sandwich-board-type signs on sidewalks make it frustrating to walk downtown for locals and visitors alike, especially if the person has a disability.
Caden Starkey said there are so many signs when they are clustered together they block each other, making them ineffective. When walking with his family, he said I can’t tell you “how many times I’ve moved the signs.”
Joe Benoliel had a different take. He asked that part of the law be changed. He often protests a former employer for alleged discrimination. He said the law is insufficient because it limits the size of signs. He said signs need to be large when protesting government.
Key changes in the proposed law include allowing up to three sandwich board signs for each business through a yearly permit; temporary signs would have to be within two miles of the business; and the city can remove noncompliant signs and hold them for 90 days before disposal.
To come up with the law, the city researched what is done in other tourist cities and talked to local stakeholders like the chamber and downtown association.
Another issue taken off the agenda was a wastewater agreement that would be with Kitsap Sewer District 7 for 25 additional connections on the south end of BI. The city would like to start the process to pay for and connect five requests that have already been made.
One topic that was discussed was property taxes. No one spoke at a public hearing. Property taxes will go up the state-allowed 1% without a vote of the people. City property taxes, which make up about 40% of the city’s general fund, are about 8% of residents’ tax bills.
Also, the BI History Museum made a request to obtain the old police station clock. Mayor Joe Deets and Councilmembers Kirsten Hytopoulos and Leslie Schneider said they support that, as long as it’s a temporary loan, and the city could get it back if needed. Schneider said she’d like to see an architect incorporate the clock in a housing project. Deets said he’d like to see what the community wants for the clock. “I’d like to keep our options open.” And Hytopoulos would like to see how it could be used in a capital project.
Finally, city manager Blair King said at no cost to the city it is working with Washington State Ferries on using a vendor to try to reduce cutting on ferry lines. Also, the state recently increased the fine for that to $145.
Public comments
Two people talked about BI’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement on its Comprehensive and Winslow Subarea plans in regard to housing.
Ian Harkins of the Kitsap Building Association said that BI is even considering Comp Plan Alternative 1, which is do nothing, which he said is “disheartening.” He said since many people who work on BI can’t afford to live on BI only adds to greenhouse gas emissions. He said Alternative 2, which is build-up, or a combination of that with Alternative 3, which is build-out, are more realistic choices. He said BI should be doing its part so kids who grow up here can afford to live here. It’s “incredibly selfish” to not have affordable options.
Eugene Barnes of Clark Construction agreed. He said BI has traffic congestion because of so many commuters. He said more people need to live on BI; those who would live in multifamily housing and use public transportation so the need for parking would be less. He suggested maybe more commercial at Rolling Bay to take pressure off Winslow.
Also, David Williams, president of the BI History Museum, talked about the need to have a large red oak tree at the museum removed. He said they have tried to save the heritage tree for years. However, recent research shows there is still “extreme risk, failure is imminent and within three years it could fall on the museum.”
