Planning and Economic Development
Spotlight
July 2022
This monthly update is published by the City of Poulsbo Planning and Economic Development (PED) Department to highlight news and trends in planning and development. For details on these topics and the department, visit our website.
The Director's Chair
Providing job experience and sharing opportunities for professional growth is important to the Department of Planning and Economic Development. This spring we were able to do just that by adding an intern to our team. Rory Clark joined our team in April and will be entering his junior year at Kingston High School this fall. His interests in urban planning led him to talk with his parents about getting some hands-on experience. Rory’s appreciation for the small town feel of an actual city led him to the City of Poulsbo.
Rory began his time with the city working with historical records and is playing an important part in researching and moving forward various planning initiatives. For example, Rory has partnered with our new planner, Joseph, to research ways the city can promote historic preservation.

Rory wants to be a part of implementing ordinances and ideas that are helpful to the city. “There’s a lot to love, the community and the progress it is making”.

We are thankful Rory is willing to take time from his summer hikes and backpacking with his friends to participate and promote planning for Poulsbo. 
Get to Know The Code - Home Occupation
As the rainy spring passed and the summer heat comes you may find yourself with a voluptuous supply of weeds, in which, you (being smart as you are) decide to create fresh new organic vegan manure to sell from your permitted detached accessory structure-office-sculpture room-greenhouse. However, if your business includes buyers coming to view your product at your property (and well-raised greenhouse oasis), then you will need to obtain a Home Occupation permit.

A Home Occupation means a use conducted entirely within a residential building or allowed detached accessory structure, which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the residence, and for which customers or clients visit the home for business purposes. This can be permitted in any residential zone (RL, RM, RH). However, the owner of the business must also live on the premises. The business must not generate any offsite impacts or disturbing influences and it must follow guidelines on number of visitors, signage, vehicles related to the business, parking, location-based usages, and outdoor storage. There can also be only one home occupation per residence.

There are many permitted businesses, but it is good to know the types of prohibited businesses. This list includes but is not limited to: auto repair, welding, large appliance repair, truck hauling, vehicle sales, cabinet making, storage, kennel or stables, wholesale, restaurants, metal plating and generating hazardous waste. If you think you have a permitted use, please read our handout, or visit our website for more information.

Please note: A home business is separate and does not require a permit as long as the business meets the requirements: no customers/clients visit the home for business purposes, you obtain a city business license, no more than two commercial deliveries per day and no non-residential employees are allowed.
Spotlight on Crimson Cove Smoked Specialties
You’ve likely heard that the King Salmon Summer Run has started. But have you heard of Poulsbo-Style Smoked Salmon? Yep – that’s right!
We recently went to visit Crimson Cove Smoked Specialties on Front Street to get to the bottom of this. Owner Anne Keller greeted us at the door and told us all about the store and the products they sell. Theirs is a family-owned business and Anne says that her and her family were regulars of Crimson Cove before purchasing the original smokehouse from the former owners in 2015. They’ve continued to smoke foods right here in Poulsbo ever since. 

Anne recalls they originally opened a smaller store in Downtown Poulsbo, but they outgrew it quickly as demand for their smoked goods increased. Their current store features products from their smokehouse as well as products from other local businesses as they love to work with local businesses and see them prosper. If you can’t make it to their store – fear not, Anne points out that their products can also be found in many breweries, markets, and online. They even will work with fishermen who would like their catch smoked for them. 

We wondered – why would Anne and her family purchase a smokehouse and begin a downtown retail operation in the first place? The answer was clear. Anne says that they are a family of foodies and a family that loves fishing. She recalls “This all started years ago when I was in the kitchen cooking food with my Sicilian grandparents – and the kitchen continues to be where our family gathers today”. This translates well into their business as her son runs the smokehouse and even came up with some of their recipes such as their best seller, the praised Smoked Spiced Mixed Nuts. Anne points out that the mission of their store is to have everything people need to “eat well on a budget.”
All photos are courtesy of Rory Clark, Planning Intern
Development In Progress - Liberty Bay Bank
Noticed anything new along 7th Ave NE? If so, it may have been Liberty Bay Bank under construction. The application for this commercial development was received by our department in April of 2020. The proposal included a 9,472 sq ft building to be built on the 0.84-acre vacant parcel. Following the first round of review, a resubmission was received in June of 2020.
The approved design includes a color and material palette that draws inspiration from contemporary northwest architecture. White, natural wood and stone tones, and black siding create contrast on the façade.

A quick stop by the site in early June showed that the form of the building had been completed and that siding was being installed. 
A follow up visit in early July shows the building is starting to show it’s true colors. Stone flanks the building at the base while the black and white siding create contrast. The wood material currently being installed clearly demarcates the main entrance. Oh – and our second visit was accompanied by a blue sky. We look forward to more blue skies as well as the completion of this bank and office building.
2024 Comprehensive Plan Update
The City of Poulsbo is undertaking a periodic review and update of its comprehensive plan, as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), RCW 36.70A.130(5). The GMA requires that cities and counties update their Comprehensive Plans on a periodic schedule (recently increased from every 8 to every 10 years). This is an opportunity to revise population and employment growth forecasts with the most up to date data, review existing policies to ensure they make sense for the communities they serve, write new policies that reflect the priorities of the community, and confirm that all federal, state, and local requirements are met. The next update of the Comprehensive Plan is due December 30, 2024. The 2024 Update will plan for the next 20 years of population and employment growth through the year 2044.

The Comprehensive Plan describes the 20-year vision for the City of Poulsbo and how that vision will be achieved. The plan covers land use, community character, economic development, environment, housing, transportation, capital facilities, utilities, and parks, recreation, and open space. The City’s first GMA Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1994. Periodic updates have occurred since, with the last update taking place in 2016.

Much has changed since the last update in 2016 update, and more change is expected. To plan for 2044, the comprehensive plan will consider the fundamentals of land use, housing, transportation, and capital facilities, in addition to embedding race and social equity into the planning process and plan content, strengthening and preserving a strong sense of community in the face of changes, improving the quality of life for its residents, and considering community resilience as a core value in responding to disruptive regional, national, or global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. The comprehensive plan will address these values and issues in a cohesive, accessible document that expresses continuity in the vision, guiding principles, goals, and policies.

The Planning Commission will complete an initial review of the Introduction, Community Character, Parks, Recreation, and Open Space, Natural Environment, Economic Development, and Housing Chapters in 2022. The public is invited to participate in those Planning Commission workshops and review the materials, which can be found here. Additional review of other chapters and technical documents will take place in 2023 in preparation for a release of the draft document in early 2024 for adoption submittal to the state by December 30, 2024.  

If you would like to receive updates and notices regarding the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update, you can sign up for the email list here.
Pre-Production
A Pre-Application Conference is a meeting between a project team and staff conducted prior to the submission of a detailed application. Nearly all projects change after the pre-application conference and prior to application submittal. Typically, projects at this stage are very preliminary. The following pre-app conferences are scheduled for July:

  • Viking Settlement. 30 detached SFRs and 32 attached multifamily units.
  • Olhava Lot 5R Apartments. 49 apartment units.
  • North Kitsap Medical Center SPR. Repave and repair existing parking lot, modify landscaping, and add signage.
Above: Conceptual Site Plan for Viking Settlement.
In the Queue
The following projects are currently under review with the PED Department:

  • Eliason Building SPR. Counter complete 7/6.
  • Spencer Plat Post Decision Review. NOA comments due 7/11.
  • Vinland Elementary Minor SPR. Prepping staff report.
  • Winslow Ridge PRD/Plat: Prepping staff report.
  • MOD/Chipotle SPR: Staff report issued. Notice of Decision pending.
  • Jackson Short Plat: Staff report issued. Notice of Decision pending.
  • McCarry - OMP Lot 5F SPR: Waiting for resubmittal. .
  • Westry Village SPR: Resubmitted and under review.
  • Lincoln Cottages PRD: Hearing Examiner decision pending.
  • 4th Avenue Apartments SPR: Waiting for resubmittal.
  • Musick Multifamily SPR: Resubmitted and under review.
  • Blackmore Multifamily SPR: Waiting for resubmittal.
  • Oslo Bay SPR: SEPA comment period ended 5/2, appeal submitted.

Keep up to date with active land use projects by visiting our website.
Above: Conceptual Designs for the Eliason Building Renovation.
The Many Roles of PED Staff
Did you know? On top of the larger land use applications, the PED Department staff also responds to public records requests, business license applications, sign permits, tenant improvements, deck permits, grading permits, and code enforcement requests.

For the month of June PED staff reviewed/responded to:

  • 17 New Single Family Homes
  • 1 Commercial Signs
  • 2 Commercial Tenant Improvements
  • 2 Single-Family Remodel/Addition/Deck
  • 2 Tree Cutting and Clearing Exemptions
  • 22 Business Licenses
  • 3 Public Record Requests
  • 1 Neighborhood Meeting
Planning Commission Calendar - July
See below for agenda items for July Planning Commission meetings. Please note that agenda items are subject to change. Check the website for the official agenda.

July 12:
  • Second review of Comprehensive Plan Community Character Chapter
  • Review of proposed code amendment for stormwater vaults as public parks

July 26:
  • First review of Comprehensive Plan Natural Environment Chapter.

Planning Commission meetings will be held as a hybrid - virtually via zoom webinars and in-person at the City Hall Council Chambers. Please check the agenda for meeting information.
Poulsbo in the Press
Get Caught up with What's Going on in Poulsbo
Filling void, couple brings cider house to Poulsbo
Kitsap Daily News

With so many breweries and bars located across Kitsap County, a Poulsbo couple wanted to bring something different to the area that would complement their small farm on NW Beaver Ridge — Bushel & Barrel Ciderhouse. Read More…


Construction of new Poulsbo breakwater begins
Kitsap Daily News

Construction of the new breakwater at the Port of Poulsbo marina began this month with the goal to have it ready for the public by next year. Read More…


Denny’s, Aceituno’s coming to Poulsbo
Kitsap Sun

POULSBO – Plans are taking shape for a new Denny’s location to open in the former Elmer’s Restaurant building in the Poulsbo Village Shopping Center. Read More…
Special Hours

On Wednesday, August 17th, the Planning Department will be closed.
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Planning & Economic Development
200 NE Moe Street | Poulsbo, WA 98370-7347
(360) 394-9748 | fax (360) 697-8269
www.cityofpoulsbo.com | plan&econ@cityofpoulsbo.com