City Council Special Business Meeting - June 30, 2026

The Bainbridge Island City Council convened a special business meeting on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting focused on approving revisions to multiple elements of the Comprehensive Plan, discussing implementing regulations for the updated plan, and making several appointments. After extensive public comment and deliberation, the council advanced several key items to public hearing drafts and finalized appointments.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved after pulling items 4.C (Water Resources), 4.E (Capital Facilities), 4.F (Land Use), and 4.G (Housing) for separate discussion.
• Accounts Payable and Payroll (4.B) and Utilities Element (4.D) were approved under the consent agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Caitlin Lombardi Reappointment: A large majority of speakers (John Flodin, Alice Hunting, Eric Stahl, Kisa Nishimoto, Benjamin Schmechel, Mira Rosenkotz, Bevan Taylor, Olivia Hall, Jing Fong, Sarah Blossom, Jodi-Ann Burey, and others) urged the council to reappoint Caitlin Lombardi to the Race Equity Advisory Committee (REAC), arguing that her critical op-ed constituted protected free speech and that removal would set a dangerous precedent. Several speakers (Charlie Kratzer, Ron Peltier, Lisa Neal, Chasity Malatesta) opposed reappointment, contending her comments were personally attacking and divisive, and that committee members should adhere to higher standards.
• Affordable Housing and Development: Multiple residents (Mark Ashley, Lydia Henning, Stephen Hoskins, Kaslin Daniels) expressed strong support for the council's work on affordable housing, increased density in Winslow, and the updated development regulations. Others (Ellen Lockert, Lisa Neal) opposed the current plan, citing concerns about water resources, infrastructure capacity, and the effectiveness of market-rate upzoning.
• Other Topics: John Carson of the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association discussed demographic and economic trends. Debby Haase opposed speed cameras/ALPRs. Several speakers offered general comments on civility and committee participation.

Discussion Items

• Water Resources Element (4.C): Councilmember Nelson moved to add "As an EPA-designated sole source aquifer" to the introduction. The motion passed 6-1 (Fantroy-Johnson opposed). The element was then approved unanimously (7-0).
• Capital Facilities Element (4.E): Discussion centered on a sewer capacity table. An amendment by Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos to replace language about planning for the second upgrade with a commitment to reassess based on monitoring passed 7-0. A motion to include the sewer table failed for lack of a second. The element as amended was approved 4-3 (Lant, Nelson opposed; Hytopoulos abstained).
• Land Use Element (4.F): Approved 6-1 (Nelson opposed).
• Housing Element (4.G): Councilmember Lant proposed a new policy (HO 2.5) to consider limiting rent increases for month-to-month rentals, amended to apply to multifamily units. The amendment passed 5-2 (Moriwaki, Fantroy-Johnson opposed). The element as amended was approved 6-1 (Nelson opposed).
• Winslow Subarea Plan and Ordinance No. 2026-04 (6.A): Motion to direct staff to use the plan as presented for the public hearing draft passed 6-1 (Nelson opposed).
• Ordinance No. 2026-05 – Implementing Regulations (6.B): This item received extensive debate.
  • Councilmember Nelson moved to revise FAR and lot coverage to align with Planning Commission recommendations. The motion was tabled 4-3 (Moriwaki, Mathews, Fantroy-Johnson opposed).
  • Interim Planning Director Terrell gave a presentation on the scope and timeline.
  • Councilmember Schneider moved to remove mandatory inclusionary zoning from the current regulations for later discussion. The motion passed 4-3 (Nelson, Lant, Hytopoulos opposed).
  • Councilmember Hytopoulos moved to direct the City Attorney to prepare interim controls to preserve the ability to impose mandatory inclusionary zoning on parcels over two acres. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Councilmember Mathews moved to direct staff to provide a land capacity analysis based on council direction and forward the ordinance to a future meeting. A motion to table this failed 4-3, and the original motion passed unanimously (7-0).
• Appoint Deputy Mayor (6.C): Mayor Moriwaki moved to reappoint Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos for July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• Appointment to Kitsap County Capital Grant Recommendation Committee (6.D): Councilmember Lant was appointed unanimously (7-0).
• Confirm Appointment to Race Equity Advisory Committee (6.E): Councilmember Fantroy-Johnson moved to confirm Caitlin Lombardi's reappointment for a three-year term. After remarks from Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos (supporting), Councilmember Lant (opposing), and Councilmember Nelson (opposing), the motion passed 5-2 (Lant, Nelson opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Comprehensive Plan Elements: Water Resources, Capital Facilities (as amended), Land Use, and Housing (as amended) were approved for inclusion in the final public hearing draft of the Comprehensive Plan Update.
• Winslow Subarea Plan: The plan and Ordinance No. 2026-04 were directed to be used as the basis for the public hearing draft.
• Development Regulations (Ordinance 2026-05): Mandatory inclusionary zoning was removed from the current regulations, but staff will prepare interim controls to preserve the option for large parcels. A land capacity analysis will be conducted, and the ordinance will return for further consideration.
• Appointments: Deputy Mayor Hytopoulos was reappointed; Councilmember Lant was appointed to the Kitsap County committee; Caitlin Lombardi was reappointed to REAC.