Responsible Department: Planning & Community Development
Additional Staff: Kathy Cook, Josh Machen, Meghan McKnight, Theresa Rice
Please note that this project is complete and the amended code has gone into effect.
The City of Bainbridge Island Department of Planning & Community Development has initiated an update of the existing land use code. Regulations to be analyzed include sections on Subdivisions (Title 17), and Zoning (Title 18), while revising/clarifying linkages to Titles 2 (Administration), 15 (Buildings and Construction), and 16 (Environment). This update will focus on reducing inconsistencies and excessive complexity to create a more ‘user-friendly’ code. Changes to the Comprehensive Plan policies will not be considered during this process.
Why Does the Land Use Code Need Updating?
The existing Land Use Code is complex, and can be confusing for professional builders and architects who work with it every day, and even more so for citizens who delve into it less frequently. The existing code is built on the original code of the City of Winslow, and incorporates County codes. In large part because of this, the code includes inherent inconsistencies and poorly integrated regulations. This revision process will reduce frustration for users and minimize the need for amendments, appeals, and staff interpretations. Past efforts succeeded in addressing specific topics, but did not resolve the underlying problem of organization, consistency of policies and the integration of land use regulations.
What is the Process to Update the Code?
The City of Bainbridge Island has hired
Clarion Associates to lead the code update process. Clarion is a nationally recognized land use-planning firm with extensive experience in revising land use regulations and developing design standards, development review procedures and growth management strategies.
Clarion will work closely with an interdepartmental staff team, as well as an
Ad-Hoc Committee comprised of two members each from the City Council and Planning Commission. A
Code Users Group comprised of community members who regularly work with the code and are familiar with island values will provide insight regarding discrepancies and inconsistencies. Information on future opportunities for public input will be publicized on this website and through press releases in the Bainbridge Review.
| The Land Use Code will be updated using an inclusive public process: |
| 1. Initial Review (completed Feb. 29, 2008) |
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2. Diagnosis and Annotated Outline (completed May 2008)
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3. Draft Land Use Code Updates
Based on public input as well as input from staff and the Code Users' Group regarding the Diagnosis and Annotated Outline, Clarion will develop draft versions of Title 2 (Administration), Title 17 (Subdivisions), and Title 18 (Zoning) of the Municipal Code. To make it easier to review, these drafts will be produced and reviewed in four installments. Public meetings to discuss each draft will be held between July 2008 and September 2009. After consideration of public comment received on each module, a Technical Memo containing applicable changes and/or updates will be written for each module.
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4. Planning Commission - Review Consolidated Draft Land Use Code (completed Nov. 4, 2010)
5. City Council Code Adoption (began Jan. 19, 2011)
City Council packets and minutes related to the Code Update Project:
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Planning Commission Minutes
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How Can I Get Involved?
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Attend public meetings and hearings (we will post these events to the calendar) where you can provide comments
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Sign up for the listserv (located on the left-hand side of this page, under the calendar)
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Provide written comments at any time to the Planning Department via email to
Kelly Dickson
