The Bainbridge Island City Council approved modifications to the Grow Community property plat.
In a presentation before council members, Heather Beckmann, the city’s associate planner, briefed the council on adjustments that were needed for the subdivision.
Previously, the council approved a 4-foot sidewalk along Wyatt Way that would allow for bicycle traffic and parking.
“When the contractor was making those improvements along Wyatt Way, due to drainage concerns and to meet our bike lane requirements, they had to shift that easement basically 27 feet to the west,” Beckmann explained.
In addition to this modification, Beckmann requested the approval of adding land to accommodate more guest parking.
Last year, the Grow Community plat was approved to accommodate 44 parking spaces.
However, due to the building schedule and the amount of people actually moving in, the developers cannot estimate the parking demand by the time the 37th unit is built — a timeline that was previously established to decide if their lot space could accommodate guest and resident parking with minimal expansion.
The land addition was anticipated in the planning process as a possible design change.
Since the developers cannot estimate the parking demand they have decided to go forward with a full expansion to total 66 parking spaces.
Visitors and residents to the community will be able to exit the parking lot along Grow Avenue.
Councilwoman Debbi Lester requested the developers consider traffic-calming measures on Shepard Way to accommodate non-motorized traffic.
Additionally, Councilman Dave Ward made comments that the parking lot design brought to the council provided no through-way for exiting vehicles. This would force drivers to back out the entire length of the lot.
Beckmann said she would take their feedback back to the developers.
The council approved the plat amendments with a 6-1 vote, with Councilwoman Anne Blair voting against the changes, which included moving the sidewalk and parking easement along Wyatt Way and an expansion of parking space.
