BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The Bainbridge Island City Council will get its first look Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the near-final versions of the city’s 20-year growth plan and the zoning rules that carry it out, and is expected to set public hearings on both for Nov. 24.
The city has been updating its Comprehensive Plan and Winslow Subarea Plan since June 2023. The documents, together, “will define the City’s growth pattern until 2044,” according to the staff report. Tuesday’s session is the first time the council and public have seen the complete documents in near-final form, Interim Planning and Community Development Director Emily Terrell wrote.
No adoption vote is scheduled Tuesday. Staff propose hearings Nov. 24 and adoption Dec. 8. The final environmental impact statement is expected the week of Nov. 16, and the final Winslow plan may slip to Dec. 8 because of its graphics-heavy format. The city’s extended deadline to correct its plan under the state Housing Accountability Act ends Dec. 19.
What the zoning would change
The implementing ordinance would:
- Create a new Connection zone in Winslow, consolidating the current Ericksen, Madison and Gateway zones, and eliminate the R-14 zone, moving those parcels into the Connection and Ferry zones.
- Add mandatory inclusionary zoning in the Ferry Terminal and High School Road districts. The city’s land capacity analysis describes the program this way: projects of 10 or more homes must make 10% of units affordable to households earning up to 80% of area median income and another 10% affordable up to 110%, and in return can build to a floor area ratio of 3.0, 55 feet tall and 85% lot coverage.
- Keep a voluntary inclusionary program with density bonuses in other Winslow mixed-use zones.
- Reduce parking requirements and set Winslow Way overlay standards.
- Add micro-units, allow conversions of existing buildings to housing, and add shelter, transitional, emergency and permanent supportive housing to the permitted-use table, changes required by state housing law.
The council adopted a preferred alternative Oct. 13 that sets lot coverage, floor area and building heights for Winslow zones. In July it sent the zoning back to the Planning Commission with instructions to write a mandatory affordable-housing requirement.
The council will also introduce a separate ordinance with code changes required by recent state laws, with a hearing set for Nov. 24.
Data center moratorium request
Councilmembers Lara Lant and Mike Nelson are asking that a data center moratorium be added to a future agenda. In a Nov. 1 email, they noted that Seattle, Pierce County and other jurisdictions have adopted temporary moratoriums while they study effects on electricity supply, water, utility rates, infrastructure, noise and groundwater pollution.
“Bainbridge Island should consider whether data centers should be an allowed land use here,” they wrote, distinguishing standalone data centers from businesses that use computers and servers in ordinary operations. They want the council to consider directing staff and the city attorney to develop a moratorium. No data center project on the island is mentioned in the request, and Tuesday’s item is only about whether to schedule the discussion.
$4.8 million well loan application
On the consent agenda, the council is asked to authorize a state Drinking Water State Revolving Fund application for up to $4.8 million for the Head of the Bay well site, a primary water source for the Winslow water system. The city’s capital plan has about $1.35 million budgeted for the project, but its scope has grown to combine well rehabilitation, manganese treatment and pump and control improvements, and consulting costs are higher than expected, according to Public Works.
The state told the city the Nov. 30 deadline is the last chance to tap surplus federal infrastructure money for emerging contaminants before it shrinks in 2027. Loans could carry 2.25% interest over 20 years with a 1% fee and possible principal forgiveness. Staff stress that applying doesn’t commit the city to a loan or increase the project budget; any offer would return to the council.
Budget adoption
The council also holds its final hearing and may adopt the 2027-28 budget, which totals $154.9 million including transfers between funds, about 7% more than the current two-year budget. It includes $400,000 in changes the council made Oct. 27, which West Sound News reported Nov. 1.
The council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 280 Madison Ave. N., and on Zoom (bainbridgewa.zoom.us/j/92947338351, webinar ID 929 4733 8351, or 253-215-8782). In-person public comment on any topic begins at about 6:25 p.m., three minutes per person. Remote commenters must notify pcd@bainbridgewa.gov by noon the day of the meeting and keep their cameras on. The comprehensive plan item is scheduled for about 7:25 p.m., and the data center request for about 8:25 p.m.
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