Over the last few years we’ve heard from Bainbridge Island residents how important it is to them to understand and be able to comment on land use proposals that may affect the physical and visual qualities of the island as early in the process as possible.

Early this year, we assured the community that we would be evaluating our existing land use code and public process to address some of the concerns we’ve heard.

This spring, members of the City Council and staff initiated a Land Use Public Process Steering Group, which includes: two members of the council, a representative of the Planning Commission; the Planning Department’s director and staff; and the communications coordinator.

Our mission is to identify and implement opportunities for improvements in the way the city informs and involves the public in discussion around proposed land use actions.

In our first several meetings, we identified a number of potential improvements. These range from simple changes, such as the way proposed land use actions are presented on the city’s website, to more complex procedural and policy changes that require Council action.

One topic that took front and center in our discussions was the possibility of having public participation meetings, currently available to developers on a voluntary basis, become a mandatory step for significant land use planning decisions.

Other ideas included expanding the notification radius for land use permit notices, increasing the comment period for land use permits and State Environmental Policy (SEPA) review, and improving access to information on our website.

Next Thursday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m., the Planning Commission will hold its first study session on a new ordinance that, if approved by the commission and the council, will make public participation meetings mandatory for larger projects.

It will require all new multi-family and commercial projects, as well as institutional projects like schools and churches in residential zones, to hold a public participation meeting to vet community interests and concerns early in the projects’ development.

Legislative proposals to extend the noticing radius for land use projects from 300 to 500 feet from the affected property, and to increase the public comment period for land use permits and SEPA review from 14 to 21 days, will come forward over the next several months.

Several more simple changes have already been implemented. For example, to help citizens interested in learning about proposed land use actions more easily, navigate the city’s website (www.ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us), we have created a prominent button that mimics the familiar yellow and blue “Proposed Land Use Action” signs posted at project sites.

Clicking on the icon takes the viewer to a revamped “Proposed Land Use Actions Notice” page, which offers more detailed information about proposed projects and includes the planning departments’ Notice of Decision, which addresses conditions of approval for each project.

Each project will remain posted through its appeal period, so that citizens considering an appeal can access the full project history.

Planning and IT staff continue to work to improve access to information and facilitate citizen input. Plans include use of the Geographic Information System (GIS) map of the island, available on the city’s website.

A new map layer will highlight properties that would be affected by proposed land use actions and provide links to project details.

Another improvement on the way is a comment form linked directly to each project on the Proposed Land Use Actions page, making it quick and easy to compose and submit citizen input.

Effective public participation enables government entities to make better decisions that consider the interests and concerns of all affected stakeholders and meet the needs of the community.

It is our goal to ensure that our citizens are informed and aware of opportunities to contribute to the decisions that may affect them.

We welcome further input on actions that the Council and staff of the City of Bainbridge Island can take to support ongoing improvements in the transparency of our public processes.

To submit comments or ideas to the Land Use Public Process steering group, email ccurrie@ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us, or call Cathie Currie at 780-8632. Also look for the “Land Use Action” icon on the city website.

Councilors Kirsten Hytopoulos and Debbi Lester; Don Fisher

planning commissioner;

Kathy Cook, director of Planning and Community Development; Planner Jennifer Sutton;

Cathie Currie,

communications coordinator