Bainbridge Island City Council Study Session - April 21, 2026

The Bainbridge Island City Council held a study session on April 21, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 10:28 pm. The agenda was amended to postpone item 3D due to staff illness. Council discussed the 2023 greenhouse gas inventory, an interlocal agreement with Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD) for water system coordination, the Climate Change Advisory Committee's 2025 report and 2026 workplan, and provided extensive direction to the Planning Commission on housing element updates. Multiple motions were passed, mostly unanimously, to address deficiencies identified by the Washington State Department of Commerce in a letter received April 20, 2026.

Agenda Approval

• Motion to approve the agenda as amended (removing item 3D) carried unanimously (7-0).

Presentation: 2023 Greenhouse Gas Inventory

• Andrea Martin and Hailey Weinberg from Cascadia Consulting presented the inventory. Community-wide emissions decreased 14% since 2014 (21% per capita), driven mainly by cleaner electricity. Government operations emissions dropped 71%. Transportation emissions increased, notably aviation (up 49%). Council discussed the findings and will forward the report to a future business meeting for acceptance.

Discussion: Interlocal Agreement with Kitsap PUD

• Angela Bennink (KPUD General Manager) presented the framework for an interlocal agreement addressing short-term interconnection (2027) and long-term water system coordination. Key issue: South Bainbridge system facing peak demand constraints and reduced supply due to meter errors, leading to a moratorium on new connections. Council discussed conservation measures (odd/even watering), system challenges, and the importance of regional cooperation.
• Motion (Lant/Schneider): Forward the discussion on a potential interlocal agreement to the Utility Advisory Committee for review and recommendation. Passed 6-1 (Councilmember Nelson voted against).
• Amendment (Nelson/Fantroy-Johnson): Add a provision that any water provided by the City to KPUD may only serve Bainbridge Island customers. Failed 6-1 (Councilmember Nelson voted in favor).

Climate Change Advisory Committee Report

• Sanjay Bhatt (Vice-Chair) presented the 2025 report and 2026 workplan, highlighting the successful heat pump pilot (90% installations in priority demographics), EV charging code recommendations, and zero-emissions landscaping ordinance memo.
• Motion (Moriwaki/Lant): Forward the 2026 workplan to a future business meeting for consideration of approval. Passed 6-0 (Councilmember Nelson absent).

Discussion and Direction to Planning Commission

Council debated multiple motions responding to the Planning Commission's requests and the Department of Commerce's April 20 letter. Key outcomes:

Failed Motions:

• Increase Base Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to 1.0 (from 3/2) with a cap on square footage by bedrooms. Failed 4-3.
• Direct that the Preferred Alternative not include any increase in Base FAR (consistent with Planning Commission recommendation). Failed 4-3.

Passed Motions:

1. Middle-Housing Bonus Density (Schneider/Lant): Direct the Interim City Manager to direct the Planning Commission to discuss a middle-housing bonus-density incentive program allowing up to double base density when at least 50% of additional units are restricted as affordable to households earning ≤110% of Area Median Income. Passed 6-1 (Councilmember Nelson voted against).
2. Affordable Housing Overlay (Hytopoulos/Schneider): Expand draft section 18.12.030.C.3 (maximum bonus density for 100% affordable projects in Winslow Town Center) to create an affordable housing overlay district covering the Winslow sewer service area, with comparable bonus density in residential zones. Passed 7-0.
3. Commerce Determination on Builder's Remedy (Mathews/Fantroy-Johnson): Request the City Attorney and staff work with Commerce for an official decision on whether Bainbridge Island can be subject to the builder's remedy sanction given its critical area and sole source aquifer designation. Passed 7-0.
4. Subsidies Discussion (Nelson/Schneider): Direct the Interim City Manager to include in the Preferred Alternative a discussion of subsidies covering: number of units requiring subsidies, total cost, current funding tools, gaps in local funding, and local tools to close gaps (to be returned by May 12). Passed 7-0.
5. Reduce Maximum Bonus FAR (Hytopoulos/Nelson): Reduce proposed increases in maximum bonus FAR in Winslow Town Center to 2.5. Passed 7-0.
6. Address Racially Disparate Impacts (Mathews/Lant): Request the Equity and Inclusion Manager and Race Equity Advisory Committee to address section 2.E in the Department of Commerce letter regarding evaluation of policies contributing to racial disparities/displacement. Passed 7-0.
7. Revised Capacity Analysis (Hytopoulos/Nelson): Direct the City Manager to direct planning staff to add to a new capacity analysis (with income-level table): (1) increased capacity from "bonus parcels" (public/religious-owned, like Sammamish), (2) capacity from affordable housing overlay and other bonuses, (3) a funding gap analysis and plan. Passed 7-0.
8. Address Commerce Deficiencies (Nelson/Moriwaki): Direct the Interim City Manager to work with Planning Commission and staff to include changes addressing deficiencies noted in Commerce's April 20 letter. Passed 7-0.
9. Use Planning Commission's 4/6 Analysis (Mathews/Fantroy-Johnson): Proceed with Planning Commission's 4/6 chart/analysis (showing a 420-unit deficit) as a starting point for further work. Passed 7-0.

Committee Reports

• Councilmembers reported on regional meetings including PRTPO, PSRC Transportation Policy Board, 23rd Legislative District town hall, and South Ward meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 10:28 pm.