Kitsap County's Future in Public's Hands
by Commissioner Chris Endresen

In 2006, Kitsap County undertakes a 10-year Comprehensive Plan update and revision of the 2000 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan. Both processes will help shape the course of the county’s future development and will rely heavily on public input. Because of the importance of these two plans in establishing Kitsap County’s future, we want to hear from you on how to grow and what is important.

The Comprehensive Plan update process asks us to consider the county’s future public and private investments, including our use of financial, civic, natural and creative resources. Residents, businesses, churches, schools and local government all shape the way Kitsap County grows and changes. The Comprehensive Plan update will allow all these groups to help determine Kitsap County’s vision for the next 20 years. The plan also matters to you because it helps address topics such as where to build new homes, locate commercial and industrial development, and prepare for utilities and services, as well as many other elements that affect quality of life in both urban and rural areas.

There are many different elements of the plan that may interest you, including land use (residential, commercial, historic preservation and open space), rural and resource lands, natural systems (critical areas), economic development (diversity, land capacity, education, jobs), housing (affordability, supply, special needs), utilities (sewer, water, natural gas, telephone, electricity and cable TV), transportation (roads, safety, marine, non-motorized, airports, railways) and capital facilities (law enforcement, fire, storm water, parks, solid waste, schools).

While the Comprehensive Plan will provide an overall vision for the county’s development, the update of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan provides the community with the opportunity to focus specifically on the future of Kitsap’s natural resources. The 2000 plan has already helped improve the North Kitsap region in a number of ways. Land has been acquired at Point No Point and Kingston Heritage Park, among other areas, and trails have been improved at places like Hansville Greenway and Carpenter Lake. The update process will evaluate what the county Facilities, Parks and Recreation Department has already achieved and will determine how the department can best serve the community for the next six years through maintenance of existing parks and facilities or creation of new ones. It can also help preserve public lands for future generations.

During the week of January 9-13, three public meetings were held to acquire citizen input about the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan update. Last year, a citizen survey was also conducted to gather impressions about the state of county facilities, parks, and open space. The community will remain active in the update process as the county meets with focus groups next. In conjunction with the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan meetings, surveys will also be distributed at these meetings to gather public input and generate interest in 10-year Comprehensive Plan Update.

Responding to these questionnaires will be one of many opportunities you will have to provide input into the county’s planning process during the next year. Other ways to stay involved include visiting the Kitsap County Department of Community Development (DCD) website at www.kitsapgov.com/dcd to review documents online, attend public meetings (dates, times and locations online, published in community newspapers or posted at community locations) or contact DCD to subscribe to an email list to receive updates (call 337-5761 or email MyKitsap@co.kitsap.wa.us).

This year Kitsap residents have the opportunity to get involved in the decision-making process for their county’s future. Be sure to inform yourself of public meeting dates regarding the 10-year Comprehensive Plan and Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan updates. Make your voice heard!

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