The Director's Chair

The City Council made a significant decision regarding zoning regulations in College Marketplace/Olhava. On May 1, 2024, the council voted to repeal the moratorium on Commercial (C-4) and Business Park (BP) zoning, three months ahead of the scheduled August 9, 2024 sunset date.

The moratorium was passed soon after the city received their first land use application proposal that exceeded the square footage allowed for business park zoning per the overlying Olhava Master Plan (OMP), which was approved in 1997. Simultaneously, the Olympic College’s Poulsbo Campus and their Board of Trustees, announced plans to move its Nursing and Allied Health Division programs to Olympic College’s Poulsbo Campus. Lastly, the City accepted their housing targets for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update and set their sights on College Marketplace as a potential area in our city to accommodate additional residential growth, beyond the limitations of the OMP.

The decision to repeal the moratorium was preceded by months of planning and collaboration. City staff, in conjunction with legal experts, explored avenues for expanding development beyond the limitations imposed by the OMP. Market studies were evaluated, workshops were held with property owners, and discussions ensued with local educational institutions regarding their expansion plans.

The culmination of these efforts led to the passing of an ordinance amending the Poulsbo Municipal Code for the Commercial C-4, Business Park, and RL zoning districts. The Planning commission held workshops on the proposed amendments on February 12 and 27, 2024, and on March 26, 2024, held a duly noticed public hearing and voted to recommend approval to the City Council. On April 10, 2024, the City Council held a workshop on these amendments and following discussion, set the public hearing for May 1, 2024. The City Council approved ordinance 2024-09, with one modification.

At the public hearing on May 1, the council made a decision regarding the inclusion of flex space in the C-4 zoning district. Flex space, introduced in 2019, allows for a blend of residential and commercial developments within mixed-use structures. While initially limited to the C-1 zoning district, its potential expansion is now under deliberation.

In the weeks to come, the council, along with city staff, will convene to conduct a workshop aimed at analyzing the implications of flex space across various zoning districts. This thoughtful examination will determine whether to expand, restrict, or refine its usage, ensuring alignment with the city's vision for growth.

New Documents - Street Trees and Firewise Planting

In early 2024, the PED staff asked the City Arborist to create three new documents to aid staff during development review. As we continue to see impacts from climate change, staff wanted to have resources available to inform decisions regarding required site landscaping and tree retention/replanting. These documents are available online to inform property owners/site development early in development review process.

The new Street Tree List includes the following:

• List of approved tree, including spacing and planter width requirements;
• Tree species discouraged;
• Tree species specifically forbidden for planting in Poulsbo; and
• Recommended distances to avoid conflicts with utilities, signs and sight distances.

The Beneficial Planting Under Trees document includes recommended shrubs and perennials/ground covers, along with attributes best for planting, such as shade tolerant, bird/bee friendly, or fragrant. If done correctly, understory planting beneath trees can be beneficial for the trees and the environment. Planting low maintenance shrubs and groundcovers can reduce the need for weeding, help retain moisture and lessen the demand for irrigation and provide shade, cover nesting areas and food for wildlife. Choosing the right plants is essential and thought must be put into avoiding any clearance issues, creating a maintenance burden or future fire fuel hazard. Care also must be taken when planting beneath established trees to avoid encroaching on critical surface roots

The Firewise Planting Guidelines includes trees/plants to avoid, fire resistant trees, shrubs, and perennials/ground covers, and helpful resources.

Breaking Ground Soon - Oslo Bay Apartments

The Oslo Bay Apartments project is a residential community comprised of thirteen apartment buildings and a Community Building that encompasses 56-acres. The Oslo Bay Apartments project is located northwest of the intersection of State Route 305 (SR305) and State Route 307 (Bond Road, SR307) and will consist of 468 multi-family residential units including 244 one-bedroom, 208 two-bedroom, and 16 three-bedroom units on three levels within the thirteen buildings.

Of the 49.1 site acreage, 12.96 acres are dedicated to critical areas/buffers and 6.5 acres are to be landscaped. In addition, per the Poulsbo Municipal Code, 24 recreational amenities are being provided, including a community building with a swimming pool, dog wash facilities, and lounge, multiple play and picnic areas, and community garden.

The majority of the total project site is undeveloped forest, and includes two on-site wetlands, Dogfish Creek which runs east-west along the southern portion of the property, and an existing stream identified as the ‘western stream’ that runs on-site west of the Vetter Road ROW. Dogfish Creek is identified as a Type F1 stream adjacent to the project, and the western stream is identified as a Type Ns1 stream through the off-site portion of the project before transition to a Type F2 stream onsite, as shown below. 

For more information and project documents, see the website here.

SR 305 Code Amendment:

Planning Commission Public Hearing

State Route (SR) 305 is a highway that connects the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal to SR3 in Poulsbo and serves as a vital corridor for residents, businesses, and visitors. The highway provides connections to other major arterials, including SR307 and Viking Way NW, and runs through a commercial hub. In 2021, the highway saw a range of approximately 22,000 to 37,000 average daily counts of traffic, and with the projected growth in Poulsbo’s population and job sectors, commerce and traffic will increase.

On September 13, 2023, the Poulsbo City Council passed Ordinance 2023-13 approving a 12-month development moratorium for vacant properties and properties not improved with permanent structures located within the SR305 Corridor zoned C-3/SR305 Corridor. The moratorium was enacted in interest to update the zone’s current code and expanding development options for residential development within the area. A moratorium is a pause on some new development, land use, and construction applications in order for a city to consider new and/or revised development and zoning regulations. The State of Washington grants Cities the authority to adopt a moratorium under RCW 36.70A.390. There were multiple reasons for passing the moratorium, however, the principal purpose is the desire by the City Council to open up more residential capacity in this part of the city.

The city has received a population and employment allocation as well as a housing target for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update. Consistent with the growth alternatives outlined in the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping process for the Comprehensive Plan Update, the city has allocated approximately 800 population (or 383 housing units) to the SR305 Corridor in two (2) of the land use and growth alternatives. Without the additional planned growth for the SR305 Corridor, the city would be unable to meet the required growth allocations and targets.

A Market Analysis and Feasibility Study was done in June of 2023 by Leland Consulting Group (LCG) for the SR305 corridor. The study found that most of the demand in the study area is for housing. The retail market is active in existing buildings but with less demand for new developments, and office demand has dropped significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, since much of the study area is steeply sloped and the area contains streams, wetlands, erodible and hydric soils, and geohazard areas, the city should consider a number of regulatory changes to encourage development in the study area, including allowing more height, lower parking levels in locations where residents could feasibly walk to transit, downtown, and other destinations, and permitting garden apartments, single family housing, and middle housing (e.g., townhomes) in the east and west hillside areas.

Amendments are proposed for the C-3/SR 305 Commercial Zoning District. The proposed amendments focus on two items - height increases within specific areas and strategic revisions to permitted uses. Minor parking reductions were reviewed during the C-4/BP Olhava code amendment review. 

The Planning Commission Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday May 28, 2024, at 6:00 pm or soon thereafter. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council. Meeting procedures are available from the PED Department and City Clerk’s office and are conducted based on Roberts Rules of Order. Public Hearings are being held as a hybrid virtual/in-person at the web address and call-in number noted below and at City Hall Council Chambers, 200 NE Moe Street. This call-in number: 1 253 215 8782 and meeting id: 813 4761 3119 are provided for virtual attendance, in addition to this webinar link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81347613119

• Project Documents can be found here

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). 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 community, 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. This update will plan for the next 20 years of population and employment growth through the year 2044.

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities:

• May 8: City Council – Utilities and Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
• May 28: Planning Commission – Review of Transportation
• June 5: City Council – Review of Economic Development Chapter
• June 12: City Council – Review of Participation, Evaluation, and Implementation Chapter
• June 26: City Council - Review of Health and Human Services Chapter
• July 10: City Council – Review of Natural Environment Chapter

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 April PED staff reviewed/responded to:

• 1 Accessory Dwelling Unit
• 8 Commercial New/Multifamily
• 1 Commercial Tenant Improvements
• 25 Business Licenses
• 3 Public Record Requests
• 3 Tree Cutting and Clearing Exemptions

Planning Commission Calendar

See below for agenda items for Planning Commission meetings. Please note that agenda items are subject to change. Check the website for the official agenda.

May 14:

• Audrey Estates Preliminary Plat Public Meeting

May 28:

• C-3/SR 305 Code Amendment Public Hearing
• Transportation Full Chapter Review

Planning Commission meetings are held as a hybrid - virtually via zoom webinars and in-person at the City Hall Council Chambers. Please check the agenda for meeting information.