Bainbridge Island Planning Commission Regular Meeting – November 13, 2025

The Bainbridge Island Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 6:07 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall and via Zoom. Chair Sarah Blossom presided, with Commissioners Criss Garcia, Peter Schaab, Alex Preudhomme, and Ariel Birtley (remote) present. Council-Liaison Jon Quitslund, PCD Director Patty Charnas, and Planners Victoria Lewelling and Auburn Lovett also attended. Commissioners Sean Sullivan and Ben Deines were excused. The meeting included approval of minutes, general public comment, three public participation meetings (Puget Sound Energy transmission line, Animal Magnetizm dog daycare, and Bainbridge History Museum expansion), and a historic preservation review.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda unanimously (5-0).
• Approved minutes from October 23, 2025 (5-0).
• Approved minutes from October 30, 2025 (5-0).
• Approved minutes from November 6, 2025 (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ken DeWitt (Bainbridge Parks Commissioner) requested that the City consider creating a park zoning classification to allow park facilities to avoid the costly and time-consuming conditional use permit (CUP) process. He left a copy of a letter previously submitted to the City Council.
• Paul Travis (resident at 6856 NE Westport Madison) spoke in support of the proposed commercial evolution of the corner across from his home, noting that three homes were already affected by a state roundabout, but he had reservations about noise.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Murden Cove to Winslow Substation Transmission Line Upgrade Project

• Presentation: City Planner Victoria Lewelling introduced the pre-application public participation meeting. PSE representatives Carrie Kriner and Molly Reed presented the project: a new transmission line to improve reliability and redundancy, required under state climate laws (Clean Energy Transformation Act, etc.). The route follows existing distribution lines along roads (Sportsman Club Road, High School Road, Fletcher Bay Road) to minimize tree impacts. One pole will be 100 feet tall; others 75–80 feet (existing distribution poles are about 40 feet above grade). Undergrounding was studied but found to be more expensive and disruptive. Construction is planned for 2029–2030, pending permitting.
• Public Comments:
  • Laura Lant (resident) advocated for a collective approach to easement negotiations so that private property owners’ sacrifices become a shared public benefit (e.g., trails). She urged the City to require utility projects to consider private right-of-ways and invite park/trails commissions to pre-application meetings.
  • Tom Hansen (Fort Ward) expressed support for the project, praising PSE’s community engagement and the chosen route, but cautioned the City to maintain guardrails rather than give PSE free rein. He cited past opposition and the need for continuity in decision-making.
  • Mark Schriver (resident) raised concerns: safety risks if lines go down near schools, the timing of the project during the pandemic limiting public participation, and whether the Winslow Tap rebuild alone would meet reliability goals.
• Commission Discussion and Motion: Commissioner Birtley proposed a motion to recommend to the City Council the creation of a subcommittee to evaluate opportunities for PSE and private landowners to collaborate on easements for the public good. Commissioner Garcia dissented, noting that utilities have limited ability to be imposed upon and that this is late in the process. Others supported the motion as a way to explore parallel work without slowing the project. The motion passed 4-1 (Garcia opposed).

Animal Magnetizm (PLN52940) Public Participation Meeting

• Presentation: Associate Planner Auburn Lovett introduced the proposal to relocate the existing dog daycare from its current site to 6901 NE West Port Madison Road, a 3.32-acre lot in the R-0.4 zoning district. Owner Demetria Silvera described the plan: an outdoor play area with a small trailer for shelter, minimal changes to the site (invasive ivy removal, one dead tree removed), and traffic analysis showing an average of 40 dogs per day with peak arrivals of 5 vehicles per 15 minutes. Hours will be 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday–Friday; no overnight boarding is planned. The project requires a major conditional use permit and major site plan review.
• Public Comments:
  • Julie Evans (client for 20+ years) spoke in full support, calling the daycare essential for the community and praising the operator’s quality.
  • Zarida Edder (long-time client) also strongly supported the project, emphasizing the need for reliable pet care for ferry commuters and the low-impact nature of the operation.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners asked clarifying questions about site size (approximately same as current), overnight boarding (not planned), and water usage (estimated 13 gallons/day for people, 35 gallons/day for dogs). No motion was made at this stage; the project will return for formal review after application submission.

Bainbridge History Museum Expansion (PLN53111) – Public Participation Meeting & Historic Preservation Review

• Presentation: Executive Director Amber Buell and architect Colleen Thorpe (Jones & Jones) presented the museum expansion. The museum houses over 100,000 items and has outgrown its space. The proposal includes doubling exhibit space, adding a multi-purpose room (seating for 45–55), a restroom/kitchen building, and dedicated education and research spaces. The historic schoolhouse will be retained, and non-historic additions (lobby, library) will be demolished. Two heritage trees will be protected; the existing creosote retort (a collection item) will remain on site or be moved. Construction is targeted for 2027.
• Public Comments:
  • Toby Champion (volunteer) asked about maximum occupancy of the multi-purpose room (stated code limit around 55 seated).
  • John Paul Jones (long-time resident) spoke in favor, noting the design’s compatibility and the creation of three galleries and a library.
  • Jon Quitslund (Council-liaison, speaking as a former board member) praised the clustered, inviting design and the museum’s evolution.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners complimented the renderings and design. Questions addressed the demolished building (no historical quality), public restroom availability, and the creosote retort’s future. No decision was made on the project itself during the public participation meeting.
• Historic Preservation Review: Planner Auburn Lovett explained that exterior alterations to the historic schoolhouse (adding decks and a vestibule) require a Certificate of Appropriateness under BMC 18.24. Architect Thorpe showed how the new work is differentiated but compatible and reversible. Commissioner Garcia moved to issue the certificate; seconded by Commissioner Schaab. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Approved three sets of meeting minutes from October 23, October 30, and November 6, 2025 (all 5-0).
• Voted 4-1 to recommend that the City Council create a subcommittee to evaluate opportunities for PSE and private landowners to work together on easements for public benefit (Commissioner Garcia dissenting).
• Issued a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior renovations to the Bainbridge History Museum’s historic schoolhouse (5-0).