Kitsap County is in the final stages of updating the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, which includes the Suquamish Subarea Plan, to establish policies, goals and strategies for transportation improvement, pedestrian safety and support of small businesses in the area.

The SSP states increased growth pressures are threatening Suquamish’s natural boundaries. Increased development was beginning to exceed the capacities of the infrastructure systems, and transportation and drainage systems were no longer adequate, open space diminished, and the rural character of the town changed.

Tribal members living in Suquamish and non-Indian residents who moved to Suquamish for its rural qualities and remote location found their chosen lifestyle at risk, the plan says. The area was designated a Limited Area of More Intensive Rural Development to begin to address those conditions.

“Any vision for Suquamish must balance the preservation of the rights of tribal members and of non-Indian property owners to enjoy the reasonable use of their land,” per the SSB. “Economic and cultural diversity shall be celebrated and enhanced for the benefit of all residents of Suquamish.”

Some goals the SSP lists for policies and strategies include: ensuring development consistencies with requirements; establish Kitsap Regional Library extension; transportation improvement; establish aesthetics that benefit economic development; expand broadband and upgrade cell service; limit growth while allowing greater housing diversity serving multiple income levels; evaluate changes for Augusta Avenue and Suquamish Way; improve parking for safe business access; develop walkways, crosswalks and bicycle routes; evaluate road safety improvement; coordinate efforts to maintain existing parks to their full potential; discover new opportunities for parks and open spaces; expand access to public restrooms; and expand and improve stormwater/sewer facilities.

There are three options for the Comp Plan: no action, compact growth, or dispersed growth. The preferred alternative may combine policies and reclassification requests from both compact and dispersed growth. The final version of the Comp Plan will be approved in December.