An open letter to Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson and the City Council:
In August 2014, the Port of Poulsbo submitted a proposal to City Council, regarding an increase to the number of approved liveaboard positions at the Poulsbo Marina. At present, the marina is limited to 12 liveaboard tenants and the Port wishes to add another 13, for a total of 25.
Thirty years ago, parking was considered a major issue and the 1983 SCUP limited the liveaboard availability to 12. Parking in Poulsbo is still an issue today because of increased population, not from a dozen liveaboards’ vehicles.
At present, there are roughly 6 +/- full-time liveaboard positions being utilized and some do not own vehicles. The remaining positions are held by “absentees” that are “holding” a questionable position until some future date. Where these “absent” position holders park their vehicles is unknown. The assumption that additional liveaboard vehicles will deprive a merchant of income from a tourist is unfounded. Potential and current liveaboard tenants are taxpaying residents and merchants of Poulsbo. They contribute greatly to the community and are capable of finding a place to park their car in the existing permitted areas.
Recent correspondence cites that the liveaboard vehicle parking is still (after 30 years) being used as the primary obstacle to the addition of the 13 available live aboard positions. Some of these discussions border on discriminatory conduct as to who, where, or when a person can park their car in this community. The parking issue lacks just cause to deprive a tax paying resident of the city the right to live on his boat.
The liveaboard allotment is for tenants that are ready, willing and able to live aboard their boats for the residential purpose intended. The only restriction to the 13 additional liveaboard positions should be that his or her vessel must always be maintained in an operable condition and able to satisfy the sanitation requirements by utilizing the port facilities on a regular basis.
I look forward to living on my vessel in Poulsbo.
Jim O’Meara
Poulsbo
