RES 2010-32 CALLS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MEANINGFUL PROCESS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATIONRESOLUTION ION l • 2010-32
A RESOLUTION of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington,
to amend the City's public participation program.
WHEREAS, Framework Goal 7 of the City of Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan calls for
the development of a meaningful process for citizen participation; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2001-11 establishing a voluntary
public participation program in order to inform citizens of proposed projects in their neighborhood, and to
provide the development community with an awareness of public concerns; and
WHEREAS, on April 7. 2010, the City Council established the Land Use Public Process small
steering group, charged with analyzing and reviewing policies and procedures regarding public
involvement in land use permits; and
WHEREAS, the steering group began meeting in May 2010, and quiekly identified several ways
to better solicit public participation in the land use permit process; and
WHERF,AS, upon the recommendation of the steering group, the City Council directed staff to
develop an ordinance (Ordinance No. 2010-25) making the City's "Public Participation Program," as
outlined in Resolution No. 2001-11, mandatory for certain larger development projects; and
WHEREAS, the steering group wanted the public participation program to involve the
community at lame for development projects of Island --wide significance; and
WHEREAS, the City has decided to adopt a new "Public Participation Program" resolution,
instead of amending Resolution No, 2001-11; new therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINB I GE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, DOLS
RF,SOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington, approves the amendments to the City"
public participation pr"ogr"am, making the program mandatory for larger development projects. The
program will be administered by the Department of Planning and Community Development, ent, acrd is
described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof by this reference.
PASSED by the City Council this 13"' day of October, 2010.
"PROVED by the Mayor this 13"' day of October, 2010.
Bob Scales, Mayor
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
Rosalind D. Lassoff, City Jerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: October 5, 20 1
PASSED BY TPIB CITY" COUNCIL: ICIL: October; 13, 2010
RESOLUTION NO: 2010-32
The City of Bainbridge Island's Pylic Participation Program
Purpose: The program is intended to bring developers and community members together early
in the development application process, so that the residents can learn about proposed
developments in the community, and the applicant can be aware of their concerns, if any.
Format: The program is designed to be simple, informal and of mutual benefit to all the
participants. It involves one meeting between the applicant and the neighbors, typicall' aright
before or after a pre -application conference is held. The focus of the meetings is the specific
development project and its possible impacts, The meetings are intended to be neighborhood -
oriented., but larger projects may be appropriate for a larger public outreach effort. The'applicant
males a short presentation on the development project, which is followed by a question' -answer
session.
City's Role: The meetings are organized and advertised by Planning staff. The City will mail
notice of the meeting to property owners within 500 feet of the subject property. Additionally,
staff identifies the targeted neighborhoods) on a case -by -ease basis, taking into account the size
and type of development project, and may mail the meeting notice more widely. The City will
provide the applicant with a sign to pest on the property, and publish a display ad in the paper of
record. A staff member will serve as a neutral facilitator of the meetings. Current Planning staff
attends the meeting to answer questions about the City's code and development regulations.
Staff also prepares a written summary of the meeting, which is seat to the meeting participants
and to the appropriate City reviewing boar (Design Review Board, Director, Planning
Commission, City Council, Hearing Examiner). A member of the Design Review Board is
encouraged to attend the Public Participation meeting to hear the discussion.
Benefits:
9 Several recent development projects have shown that good communication between the
developer and the neighborhood resulted in general public support and a smoother approval
process, This program is designed to increase trust and communication, and to diffuse
potentially adversarial situations.
0 Recent experience has also shown that some development projects have ruin into public
opposition because neighbors feel they hear `too little, too late.' In some cases, their
concerns could have been addressed fairly easily if they had been praised early in the process.
This program provides the public with accurate and timely information, and allows there to
have more input into developments in their neighborhoods. It provides the applicant with the
opportunity to understand and possibly address any neighborhood issues.
This program is not a "hearing' or a separate approval process. It is an informal dialogue,
and any modifications that, an applicant chooses to mare as a result are voluntary.
The program provides educational opportunities for the public to learn about City
development regulations and their relationship to the Comprehensive Plan. In tura, it helps
City staff and officials beep abreast of existing and emerging community concerns.
Exhibit A