RES 2001-11 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAMRESOLUTION NO. 2001-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE
ISLAND, WASHINGTON, ESTABLISHING A 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, the Community Relations Committee of the City Council convened a committee
composed of citizens, developers and City staff to develop a 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, in December 1999 the City established a pilot public participation program to allow
all participants to assess the effectiveness of the proposed program; and
WHEREAS, a number of public meetings have been held and the City Council has determined
that the public participation program resulted in improved communications, better development
projects, and a smoother approval process, and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the
C i t v to establish a voluntary public participation program on a permanent basis; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE
ISLAND, WASHINGTON, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington, approves the
establishment of a voluntary public participation program to be administered by the Department
of Planning and Community Development, as described in Attachment 1 to this ordinance.
Section 2: The City Council approves a budget amendment of $2,000 to support the public
participation program for the remainder of 2001.
PASSED by the City Council this 14"' day of March 2001.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 15t" day of March 2001.
1
D fight Sutton, Mayor
ATT ST/AUTHENTICATE:
'2
usan P. Kasper, City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: March 7, 2001
I'ASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: March 14, 2001
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2001-11
The City of Bainbridge Island's Public Participation Program
Purpose: The program is intended to bring developers and residents together early in the
development application process, so that the residents can learn about proposed developments in
their neighborhoods, 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, typically right
before or after a pre -application conference is held. The focus of the meetings is the specific
development project and its possible impacts on the neighborhood. Because the meetings are not
intended to be island -wide forums about larger policy issues, only the immediate neighborhood is
invited. (Staff identifies the targeted neighborhood on a case-by-case basis, taking into account
the size and type of development project.) The applicant makes a short presentation on the
development project, which is followed by a question -answer session.
City's Role: The planning staff actively encourages applicants to participate in the program.
The meetings are organized and advertised by Long Range Planning staff. 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 sent to the meeting participants and to the
appropriate City decision -maker (Director, Planning Commission, City Council, Hearing
Examiner). For large and potentially controversial projects, the City may provide a trained
facilitator to run the meeting
Benefits:
• 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 defuse
potentially adversarial situations.
• Recent experience has also shown that some development projects have run 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 raised early in the process.
This program provides the public with accurate and timely information, and allow them to
have more input developments in their neighborhoods. It provides the applicant with the
opportunity to understand and possibly address any neighborhood issues. Identifying and
resolving issues early on could reduce the amount of time that an application is before the
Planning Commission, City Council and/or Hearing Examiner.
• This program does not delay the development application process. It is not a "hearing" or a
separate approval process. It is an informal dialogue, and any modifications that an applicant
chooses to make 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 turn, it helps
City staff and officials keep abreast of existing and emerging community concerns
Attachment I to Resolution 2000-11