The Bainbridge Island Planning Commission met on September 25, 2025, at 6:03 PM in Council Chambers and via Zoom. Chair Sarah Blossom presided, with Commissioners Criss Garcia, Alex Preudhomme, Peter Schaab, Ben Deines, and Ariel Birtley (arrived at 6:17 PM) present. Commissioner Sean Sullivan was absent and excused. The meeting focused on continued discussion of the Winslow Subarea Plan (WSP) goals and policies, along with updates from subcommittees on incentives and development standards. The commission also heard a special public comment from Councilmember Dietz, received a planning director’s report, and addressed process concerns during “For the Good of the Order.”
Planning Director’s Report: Director Patty Charnas thanked the commission for their work and noted upcoming absences (she will be on vacation for a month; Darren Buchanan will serve as acting director). She reported on a Department of Commerce webinar regarding three key questions: (1) religious-owned properties and affordable housing density bonuses – the city will send letters to 19 religious entities to gauge interest; (2) capital facilities planning for a second sewer plant – Commerce confirmed that a 20‑year financing plan is required under GMA; (3) upzoning areas without municipal sewer – Commerce stated such upzoning is permissible but may serve middle‑to‑upper affordability levels because multifamily units below 80% AMI typically require sewer. She also noted that the vacant planning manager position will be re‑advertised in October and that a fourth October meeting (Oct 30) has been added to the schedule.
Continued Discussion on Winslow Subarea Plan Updates (Items 6a & 6b): Consultant Joe Tovar introduced subcommittee reports.
Winslow Subarea Plan Goals and Policies Review: Senior Planner Jennifer Sutton led the review of remaining goals and policies. Key debates centered on whether certain items should be in the WSP or the citywide Comprehensive Plan (CP) and on the appropriate level of detail (goal vs. policy). Highlights include:
For the Good of the Order: Chair Blossom raised concerns that the ordinance the commission recommended on September 11 (Ordinance 2025‑21) had been amended by city staff/attorney before it was presented to City Council, specifically adding a parking standard that the commission had voted against and removing Mobile Home Park FAR language. She stated this undermined the commission’s process and transparency. Council Liaison Quitslund acknowledged the unease, noting that trust had been strained. Director Charnas explained that the city attorney and executive revised the ordinance, necessitating an additional public hearing at the council level. The commission expressed a desire for clearer communication in future processes.
Calling to order the Planning Commission regular meeting for Thursday, September 25th, 2025. We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is within the ancestral territory of Sequamish, people of clear salt water, expert fishermen, canoe builders, and basket weavers. The Sequamish live in harmony with the lands and waterways along Washington's Central Salish Sea, as they have for thousands of years. Here the Sequamish live and protect the land and waters of their ancestors for future generations as promised by the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855. Has everyone had a chance to review the agenda? Yes. Motion to approve. I move to approve the agenda as presented. Is there a second? I'll second. All right, there's a motion and a second. Uh those in favor. Aye. Aye. That motion passes unanimously. Any conflicts of interest to disclose. Seeing none. Um and then just for the record, we're missing Commissioner Sullivan tonight. And Commissioner Bertley will be arriving shortly. Has everyone had a chance to review the meeting minutes. There's four sets. I'm willing to go ahead and make a motion that just approves all of them at once. I move to approve the agenda meeting minutes for August 28th, September 3rd, September 4th, and September 11th, as presented. Second. Okay, there's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. And that motion passes unanimously. Time for public comment. Councilmember Dietz. Thank you, Chair Blossom. And uh very nice. You know, I I so seldom I'm on this end. So uh wonderful to see you. The reason I'm here is because the meeting you last had, September 11th, was attended by I guess it was a full house. But in particular, your meeting went on till what was it, seven and a half hours? To eight hours. Okay, who's counting? And uh till what 1 30 in the morning. I know because I watch it from the comfort of my home sitting on my sofa, and I almost didn't make it just sitting there watching you. But what impressed me was your level of professionalism, your dedication, the courteousness that you clearly showed to everyone that was here. Uh as someone who this is my eighth year on council, and I've never had a meeting such as that that you had, and I honestly not sure how I would hold up. And so I honestly I'm here to sh say how grateful I am for the work you do. Mind you, this has nothing to do with how you actually voted. That's not material. That's not why I'm here. But it's I think it's I feel it was is on me to say I need to say something to tell you how much this council member, and I think it's fair to say all of us on council uh appreciate the work you're doing. So you may or may not know that we have a tradition on Bainbridge Island, and this is actually comes from our city manager Blair King. Uh if you any of you have heard of what's called challenge coins. These are uh tradition, kind of comes from the military, where I guess I hear I heard it, you know, if you get one, then you know you're polled over by the MPs, you can kind of get out and get out of trouble.