POULSBO — The future of the Port of Poulsbo may be a bit clearer soon, as commissioners near completion of the port’s newest comprehensive plan.

The Port of Poulsbo undertook drafting a new comprehensive plan earlier this year after its current plan had expired. The plan, a six-year list of goals and projects for the public entity to undertake, was released in its draft form May 6. Port Commissioners will next review and possibly vote on the plan at their Sept. 4 meeting.

“I’m very pleased with it,” commented commissioner Glenn Gilbert on the document. “We have some very worthy endeavors in there.”

Port Manager Ed Erhardt said copies of the comprehensive plan will not be available to the public until after the commissioners adopt it in its final form.

“It’ll be commissioner discussion and adoption. I don’t believe there will be any more public hearings,” Erhardt said of the Sept. 4 meeting.

Besides being a look at the future for the port, the document is also a pathway for grant funding for upcoming projects.

Part of replacing the sloughing rock wall at Waterfront Park in conjunction with the City of Poulsbo and replacing the port’s breakwater will require money be found from outside sources. Consulting firm Parametrix is assisting the port in obtaining grant funding, however, a current comprehensive plan is required for some grants the port hopes to apply for next year.

The document was drafted with suggestions from port staff, commissioners and community members. The port held its first public hearings over the Comprehensive Plan May 6 and received comments from port tenants, some members of the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association and even the Sons of Norway.

Beginning in June, Gilbert also worked with a committee of two live-aboard tenants, two port tenants and one citizen, which was assembled to review the draft comprehensive plan. The group met three times and has now finalized its recommendations for the document. Some of the suggestions committee members made for the comprehensive plan were:

•Placing ladders at the end of finger piers

•Adding a canoe/kayak launch to the beach at the north end of the port that will be restored during the bulkhead replacement

•Making power panel upgrades

•Adding a reservation system for F dock

•Adding transformers on C and D docks to avoid brown outs

•Creating more security measures

•Enhancing leases of DNR lands

•Placing Sani-cans on A, B or C docks

•Creating an easier method to report violations of the port’s rules and regulations

•Redesigning and rebuilding the laundry and restroom facility

Although a total of 10 committee members were invited, Gilbert said the five who showed up were invaluable in the process. He said the suggestions they made were worthwhile and he thinks at least some of them will make it into the final comprehensive plan.

“I was really happy with the committee,” Gilbert said. “They came up with some good suggestions and we got some citizen letters with suggestions as well.”