The next meeting of the Kingston Citizens Advisory Council is Dec. 7.
Here is a summary of the KCAC’s Nov. 2 meeting. It has been edited for length and timeliness.
Present: Naomi Maasberg, co-chair, member at large; Betsy Cooper, co-chair, member at large; Clint Boxman, Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary; Dave Wetter, Village Green; Nancy Langwith, Downtown Kingston Association; Kari Golden, School Parent; Walt Elliott, at large; Dan Martin, Kingston Stakeholders; Pat Wiklund, Friends of the Kingston Library; Mary Ann Harris, Kingston Garden Club; Pete DeBoer, Kingston Port and SoundRunner; Cindy McKay, secretary; Eric Baker, Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan Remand
Correspondence
– Denise Lietz sent an email resigning from her position on the committee.
– At the October commissioners meeting, Pat Wiklund, Ken Hanson and Meisha Rouser (who has resigned) were appointed to KCAC. We are waiting for the official appointment of Pete DeBoer. No word from the S’Klallam Tribe about a representative to the committee.
– Another member, Tom Waggoner, whose term is up in January, is resigning. Linda Fyfe of the Chamber of Commerce will provide updates in the interim. A new representative will be appointed in January.
Presentations
– Pete DeBoer, Port of Kingston: Ports are celebrating 100 years. The Port of Kingston was established in 1919. There are three commissioners representing the south, the north and downtown; each serves a six-year term.
The Port generates revenue through the marina, parking, the Washington State Ferry lease, real estate tax revenue and fuel and oil sales. There are 12 full-time employees.
Projects recently completed include the performing arts gazebo, a filtration system, access repair from storm damage to North Beach (now being referred to as Salt Air Beach), a water feature in the park and replacement of wood on the moorings. Meetings are under way to establish a new comprehensive plan with many ideas that include tourism, parking, marina expansion and the future of the marina structure. A new plan should be available to show the public about February.
– Pete DeBoer, Sound-Runner: A citizens advisory committee began in January and a plan was established by March. The Port pledged financial assistance. Meisha Rouser was hired in April and led the program through a successful start-up in May. Meisha resigned her position in late September.
Service started again in May. Attracting commuters is critical to the success of the service. Special Events need to pay for themselves. Including SoundRunner on the ORCA card system has been a challenge but started Nov. 1. The Port will continue to financially support SoundRunner for now. There will be a meeting in December to review the milestones.
Weather could be an issue and contingency plans have been put in place to inform riders and address cancelled sailings. One hundred users per day on a regular basis would make grants possible. More ridership on the boat will be helpful to encourage more legislative support.
Events and activities at the Port include the Farmers Market, the Fourth of July celebration, Holiday Lights, which will be amazing this year, and heavy use of the kayak facilities by the public as well as Kingston Adventures
– Eric Baker, Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan Remand: Kitsap County needs to revisit the Comprehensive Plan of 2006 as it pertains to urban growth. In 2006, the county passed a Comprehensive Plan amendment that reduced the minimum density in the Urban-Low zone from five to four. This plan was challenged and the county won. The county then won the first appeal, but not the second.
There are two issues:
1. Right now, four dwelling units per acre are allowed. Minimum density must be moved up from four to an undetermined number.
2. A Buildable Lands Survey must be prepared to estimate current supply to establish net developable area in the existing Urban Growth Area. The county must look at present trends of development as well as those trends from 2006-10 to identify demand in the UGAs. Then the population allocated to each UGA must be compared to the supply of buildable land in Kingston.
The entire plan is not being remanded back. Kingston has non-conforming lots (historic, created under different codes). The Urban Growth Area for Kingston has to be reduced. There are questions about how to address vested plats and annexation. The county is concerned about urban-style development in rural areas.
They are at the very beginning of this process. Public workshops were held Nov. 7 and 10. Decisions on resizing of Kingston and other UGAs must be made by Aug. 31, 2012.
A 20-year plan that must be developed based on current housing trends is not ideal. A detailed analysis will depend on market conditions. The ruling about “vested areas” will be taken into consideration. Phases will be examined.
The county will continue to provide information to various groups including KCAC.
More information can be found at www.kitsapcountygov.com
Reports
– Walt Elliott, Ferry Advisory Committee: There will be a public ferry meeting at the Kingston Community Center on Dec. 8, 6:30-8 p.m. to discuss the Governor’s Task Force on Transportation Spending, construction of new vessels, and liquefied natural gas. The committee is also seeking input on ways to simplify fares and make payments more convenient.
– Edmonds ferry traffic: Burlington Northern is working on railroad tracks near Edmonds until Nov. 23. Expect traffic delays. Main Street near the Edmonds terminal will be closed for a few hours between Nov. 18 and 20; traffic will be rerouted to Railroad Avenue.
– North Kitsap Trails Association: The draft trail plan is complete and has been submitted to the county through Dennis Oost. Public testimony was taken at meetings Nov. 7 and 14.
– North Kitsap Heritage Park: The permit to build a boardwalk to avoid wetlands as part of the Blue Trail re-route has been approved. The trail across the meadow will be decommissioned. The stewardship committee plans to submit a grant request to cover materials.
Community Reports
– Nancy Langwith, Downtown Kingston Association. The Kingston Chamber of Commerce Events Committee will host the first Kingston Wine Walk on Nov. 18 from 4:30-8 p.m. Wine glasses can be purchased at Nancy’s Green Garden for $10 and used to sample wine from participating shops.
Kingston Country Christmas is scheduled for Dec. 10. The hanging of the boughs is Nov. 26. Volunteers should meet at the Pavilion in Mike Wallace Park at 9 a.m. Donations of greenery are appreciated.
Breakfast with Santa will be Dec. 10, 8-11 a.m., at David Wolfle Elementary School. Vendor booths will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Community Center. The Port will host the bonfire at the port at 3, Christmas music at 4 and the tree lighting with Santa at 5.
– Clint Boxman, Rotary Club: The Rotary Christmas Party will be held Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. It will be a potluck Italian dinner with red wine and white-elephant gifts. Community members are welcome to attend. RSVP to Randy Monlux at Kingston Stanley Steemer.
A blood drive is scheduled Dec. 20, noon to 3 and 4-6, at the Kingston Community Center.
— Cindy McKay, secretary, KCAC
