The Poulsbo City Council is making progress on their questions and changes to the updated Shoreline Management Program, paying particular attention to the issues raised by local home- and business-owners within the shoreline designation.

Associate planner Keri Weaver, who has been heading up the plan for the last three years, stressed that pre-existing uses — activities or businesses — will be grandfathered in the new plan, such as fish selling on the docks. She also pointed out that even non-conforming buildings, as in not water-related, such as a restaurant, can rebuilt to their previous footprint if they meet the definition of destroyed or significantly damaged.

What the council discussed on Wednesday’s workshop is whether owners should be allowed to rebuild if their building is in a flood or landslide hazard area. Planning Director Barry B pointed out those owners in a flood or landslide hazard area would be hard-pressed to find an insurance carrier. The council decided to check with legal counsel as to their responsibilities before amending the section.

The council will continue the workshop in February. The plan covers 3.93 miles of shoreline, and was approved by the Department of Ecology last month. The city has until the end of the year to submit a final draft for approval.