BI Steering Committee Hits a Snag Right Away in the Winslow Subarea Plan

The Steering Committee for the Winslow Subarea and Comprehensive Plans is just getting started and already there’s a sticking point.

Planning director Patty Charnas told the panel part of the process is the public’s ability to fill out a form saying, “I want to do” something with a piece of property.

Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos said that’s “an assault on the Comprehensive Plan” process and this new concept would make it so much easier to get something like a rezone, she said.

The planning director said the city already knows a few people who want to take advantage of the form to reclassify property rather than go through the amendment process. 

You're Invited: COBI's Winslow Subarea Plan Public Workshop on Zoom

Wed July 26, 6 - 8pm

This is the community's chance to provide their thoughts and guidance with regard to the future of the entire Winslow Area.

Learn more about the importance of updating the Winslow subarea plan from the Chamber's recent online article.

Join the meeting on Zoom on July 26 at 6pm.

Work on BI Superfund Site to Begin July 31

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects investigation of the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site to begin July 31 and continue through October.

Cleanup actions are needed in the soil and groundwater at the former Wyckoff wood treatment facility and in the adjacent beach sediments.

Crews will do some of this work from the water on barges and some during low tides on the beach.

The portions of the beach that are safe for recreational use will remain open to the public with limited access during sampling operations.

The EPA website says this became a Superfund site in 1987 when extensive contamination of soils, groundwater and sediment on the bottom of Eagle Harbor were revealed.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 

Thursday July 2, 6pm - Agenda includes:

4A. - Winslow Way Sidewalk Pressure Washing

BIMA Block Party – Celebrate BIMA’s 10th Anniversary

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) will host a free all-day festival of art and music on August 5 from 12-9:30pm as the community celebration of the Museum’s 10th anniversary.

The Block Party will take over the entire Island Gateway development with four stages of live music and free entry to both BIMA and KiDiMu (Kids Discovery Museum).

The museum, which opened its doors in June of 2013, has quickly become a bright light on the cultural scene serving almost 100,000 guests a year from around the world.

No More Campfires: Kitsap Burn Ban Enacted

All outdoor burning, including recreational fires at parks, beaches and even backyards, is prohibited in Kitsap County, after the Kitsap County Fire Marshal announced a stage 2 burn ban.

A summer burn ban isn't unique when the weather is warm and dry, but this year's implementation does come earlier than usual due to conditions.

"Kitsap County is about a month ahead of fire conditions we normally see during this time of year due to a drier than normal spring," Kitsap County Fire Marshal David Lynam said in a statement.

Chamber Seeking Volunteers

Come help us help Bainbridge...

The Chamber has a couple of volunteering slots available (4-hour shifts) assisting visitors (with local advice and information) and locals (in picking up their license renewals).

And you'd be in the community hub - supporting the Chamber & local businesses, while assisting your friends & neighbors who come in to do business with our Department of Licensing.

Available time slots include: Monday afternoon, Tuesday all day, & Friday afternoon - contact tj Faddis at 206-842-3700 or stop by the office.

Bring on the Trolls!

Bainbridge Island will host the first Thomas Dambo troll in WA State, as part of the six-site, multi-state Way of the Bird King installation.

Bainbridge joins four other WA sites—West Seattle, City of Issaquah, Vashon Island, Ballard— and one site in Portland, OR that will host a troll.

• Saturday, August 5th, Friends of the Bainbridge Troll will be at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) Block Party with a super fun surprise!
• Wednesday, August 16th from 6-8pm, there will be an artist talk and book signing at BIMA. Limited seating and require a reservation.
• Friday, August 18th, the Dambo team has tentatively set the unveiling

BIMA's First Regional Juried Exhibition, BIMA Spotlight

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) presents BIMA Spotlight, the museum’s first-ever juried group exhibition and part of BIMA’s 10th Anniversary celebration which closes on Sunday, September 24.

Six jurors reviewed approximately 3,400 artworks, submitted by 606 artists from the Puget Sound region.

The result is a diverse salon-style show, filling the majority of BIMA’s two gallery floors with the work of 150 artists from the Puget Sound Region.

Somewhere Under the Rainbow - Vitalize Kitsap Theater Production

Vitalize Kitsap is in the process of creating an original immersive theater production that will be the first event to be held in the new Buxton Center for Bainbridge Performing Arts Studio space on November 3 & 4. 

This production is supported by a COBI Cultural Funding grant, Puget Sound Energy and a partnership with BPA - click for additional sponsorship opportunities.

Survey on Incentives to Switch to Electric Lawn Tools

Gas-powered landscaping equipment can contribute to noise and air pollution with negative health impacts, especially for workers using this equipment for several hours a day.

The City recently transitioned to having staff use only electric leaf blowers, string trimmers, hedge clippers, pole saws, and lawn edgers, with electric chainsaws coming soon.

There are two surveys available online through July 31: one for residents and one for local landscaping services on the island.