City officials will host a community meeting later this month to revisit the idea of a public parking lot on city-owned land at Manitou Beach.

Bainbridge Island announced evolving plans late last year for a small lot for visitors to Manitou Beach, and the proposal was met with opposition from nearby neighbors but enthusiasm from those wanting access to one of the best shoreline viewpoints on the island.

A meeting to discuss features of the proposed parking area is planned for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 in council chambers at city hall.

At the meeting, the public can offer input on the parking area’s proposed size, design and amenities.

City officials said the plan is to build a small gravel parking area across from Manitou Beach on Manitou Beach Drive.

The city’s property is adjacent to 9865 Manitou Beach Drive. The upland parcel, on the north side of Manitou Beach Drive, is approximately .87 acres and contains a ditch draining to a small wetland at the northeast corner of the site, a shared gravel driveway leading to two adjacent single-family homes, and a mixture of grasses, native plants and invasive weeds.

Officials said the new parking area will improve public access to the property and the adjacent 200-foot-wide city-owned tideland.

Both properties were purchased using funds from the Open Space Bond Initiative, and officials said both pieces of the property offer unique opportunities for public enjoyment of marine views, access to Puget Sound, and native vegetation and wildlife.

More information on the project can be found on the city website at http://www.bainbridgewa.gov/678/Manitou-Beach-Road-Parking-Project.

Members of the public who are not able to attend the upcoming meeting can submit questions or comments in advance to Mark Epstein, capital projects coordinator, at mepstein@bainbridgewa.gov or 206-780-3721.