City Council not buying county’s comp-plan change

Kitsap County is moving forward with developing a land-use alternative for its 2016 comprehensive plan. The Port Orchard City Council, however, wants county planners to tap on the brakes a bit.

January 28, 2016 10:37 am
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Kitsap County is moving forward with developing a land-use alternative for its 2016 comprehensive plan. The Port Orchard City Council, however, wants county planners to tap on the brakes a bit.

At the Jan. 26 City Council meeting, council member Shawn Cucciardi said he was bothered that the city wasn’t given notice about the alternative offered by the county.

“Our citizens need to be aware of this process,” Cucciardi said. “I hate to see us concede to the county some elements affecting our city.”

County public hearing meetings are to begin next Monday in Poulsbo and Tuesday in Silverdale. A third meeting has been scheduled for Port Orchard Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. during the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Council members were concerned about alternative-plan changes to land bordering Highway 16, Sidney Road SW and land intersected by SW Berry Lake Road, as well as parcels south of the city that are intersected by Phillips Road SE. Those areas would be removed from the Urban Growth Area (UGA) under the alternative plan.

Council member Bek Ashby said she also wants the county to keep the Bethel corridor south of Sedgwick Road as a UGA.

The Council later approved a motion advocating that those areas remain part of the urban growth footprint and retain their status as “urban low” zoning in those corridors.

The City Council is, in fact,  crafting a letter to the county that shares the city’s concerns about the changes. The letter to the county is to be drafted by city staff Monday and signed by the end of next week by council members.

New city attorney

City Council members also approved Mayor Rob Putaansuu’s selection of Sharon Cates as the city’s interim city attorney. As part of the same motion, the Council approved Cates’ nomination as permanent city attorney. She will be on interim status for 60 days under a reduced retainer contract for labor relations work, and another for general city administrative duties.

Putaansuu told council members that he received 11 applications for the city attorney post after a request for proposal was released Jan. 8. After the mayor narrowed the field of candidates to four, he selected the proposal by Lighthouse Law Group of Seattle.

Putaansuu said the firm, and Cates in particular, were selected because of their expertise in the fields of commercial development, municipal law enforcement and governmental administration.

Council retreat

Council members also tentatively agreed to participate in an all-day retreat on Feb. 20. It is to take place away from City Hall in a civic conference area in the city.

Putaansuu said he favors including staff members at the retreat.

“It’s important we all talk about and define our work plans for the year and decide what we want to get done,” the mayor said.

He hopes to have a facilitator at the meeting.

 

At the Jan. 26 City Council meeting, council member Shawn Cucciardi said he was bothered that the city wasn’t given notice about the alternative offered by the county.

“Our citizens need to be aware of this process,” Cucciardi said. “I hate to see us concede to the county some elements affecting our city.”

County public-hearing meetings are to begin next Monday in Poulsbo and Tuesday in Silverdale. A third meeting has been scheduled for Port Orchard Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. during the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Council members were concerned about alternative-plan changes to land bordering Highway 16, Sidney Road SW and land intersected by SW Berry Lake Road, as well as parcels south of the city that are intersected by Phillips Road SE. Those areas would be removed from the Urban Growth Area (UGA) under the alternative plan.

Council member Bek Ashby said she also wants the county to keep the Bethel corridor south of Sedgwick Road as a UGA.

The Council later approved a motion advocating that those areas remain part of the urban growth footprint and retain their status as “urban low” zoning in those corridors.

The City Council is, in fact,  crafting a letter to the county that shares the city’s concerns about the changes. The letter to the county is to be drafted by city staff Monday and signed by the end of next week by council members.

New city attorney

City Council members also approved Mayor Rob Putaansuu’s selection of Sharon Cates as the city’s interim city attorney. As part of the same motion, the Council approved Cates’ nomination as permanent city attorney. She will be on interim status for 60 days under a reduced retainer contract for labor relations work, and another for general city administrative duties.

Putaansuu told council members that he received 11 applications for the city attorney post after a request for proposal was released Jan. 8. After the mayor narrowed the field of candidates to four, he selected the proposal by Lighthouse Law Group of Seattle.

Putaansuu said the firm, and Cates in particular, were selected because of their expertise in the fields of commercial development, municipal law enforcement and governmental administration.

Council retreat

Council members also tentatively agreed to participate in an all-day retreat on Feb. 20. It is to take place away from City Hall in a civic conference area in the city.

Putaansuu said he favors including staff members at the retreat.

“It’s important we all talk about and define our work plans for the year and decide what we want to get done,” the mayor said.

He hopes to have a facilitator at the meeting.

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