The Director's Chair

One Moratorium Down, One to Go

The Olhava Moratorium, passed by the City Council on August 9, 2023, was repealed with the passing of Ordinance No. 2024-09 on May 1, 2024. The Ordinance amended the C-4/College MarketPlace and Business Park zones to increase height, modify uses and slightly reduce parking, as well as increase height for institutions of higher education in the Residential Low zoning district.   

Following a public hearing with the Planning Commission on May 28, 2024, and a recommendation to increase height and modify uses in the C-3/SR-305 zoning district, the City Council held a study session on June 5 and is expected to hold a public hearing on June 26 to repeal the SR305 moratorium (passed via Ordinance 2023-13).   

Collectively, the newly adopted Olhava and SR-305 regulations will enable increased height for mixed use structures within these zoning districts from a maximum of 35'-45’ to 55’-65’. Slight parking reductions and modifications to existing uses have also been adopted with the passing of these ordinances to spur residential development. 

The Department Focuses Their Attention on Viking Avenue



On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the Planning and Economic Development Department will lead a presentation with the Planning Commission and the Viking Avenue property owners to discuss the possibility of increasing height along this commercial corridor. In addition to a presentation by staff, the property owners will be encouraged to share their vision for Viking Avenue. The City Council requested staff initiate this discussion as we continue to focus our efforts on increasing housing variety and choices in our commercial centers. 

A Pre-Application Conference is a meeting between a project team and staff conducted prior to the submission of a detailed application. Nearly all projects change after the pre-application conference and prior to application submittal. Typically, projects at this stage are very preliminary. The following pre-app conferences were scheduled for April, May and June:

• Sandstone Ridge. 86 single-family lots.
• Olympic Overlook. 22 single-family lots.
• Liberty Heights Townhomes. 14 townhome units.

Under Construction

• Oslo Bay Apartments. North of Bond Road NE and State Route 305. 468 multi-family market rate residential units including 244 one-bedroom, 208 two-bedroom, and 16 three-bedroom units on three levels within 13 buildings.

• Liberty Landing. 19872 Hamilton Court NE. 8-lot single family development on 1.03 acres. Two driveways, each serving 4 homes, include on-site guest parking.

• Eliason. 1880 Front Street NE. The Eliason building is an existing 3-story commercial building. After construction, the existing structures will provide a total of 14,119 interior gross square feet, of which 9,397 is commercial space and 4,722 is residential. New construction will expand the existing Eliason building to the east with a 3-story, 27,266 square foot residential addition.

• Winslow Ridge. 22180 Rhododendron Lane. 86 single family lot Planned Residential Development and Preliminary Plat. Includes 1.89 acres of open space, recreational amenities, tree retention, and road/sidewalk, utility, and stormwater facilities. 

• Lincoln Cottages. 1431 NE Lincoln Road & 19174 12^th Avenue. 21 single family lot Planned Residential Development and Preliminary Plat.

• CMP Apartments. Dauntless Dr NW. 90 apartment units, parking, recreational amenities, site landscaping, and utilities.

Above: Oslo Bay Apartments Design Rendering

Above: Eliason Design Rendering

Above: AKTIV Design Rendering

Comprehensive Plan Update

The City of Poulsbo is undertaking a periodic review and update of its comprehensive plan, as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), RCW 36.70A.130(5). This is an opportunity to revise population and employment growth forecasts with the most up to date data, review existing policies to ensure they make sense for the community, write new policies that reflect the priorities of the community, and confirm that all federal, state, and local requirements are met. 

The next update of the Comprehensive Plan is due December 30, 2024. This update will plan for the next 20 years of population and employment growth through the year 2044.

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities:

• June 26: City Council – Review of Health and Human Services Chapter
• July 10: City Council – Review of Natural Environment Chapter
• July 13: Pop-Up at Poulsbo Farmers Market
• July 17: City Council – Review of Economic Development Chapter
• July 23: Pop-Up at Summer Nights at the Bay
• August 3: Pop-Up at Poulsbo Farmers Market
• August 7: City Council – Review of Transportation Chapter
• August 14: City Council – Review of PEI Chapter

The Many Roles of PED Staff

Did you know? On top of the larger land use applications, the PED Department staff also responds to public records requests, business license applications, sign permits, tenant improvements, deck permits, grading permits, and code enforcement requests.

For the month of May PED staff reviewed/responded to:

• 1 Grading Permit
• 4 Commercial Signs
• 17 Business Licenses
• 8 Public Record Requests
• 3 Tree Cutting and Clearing Exemptions

Planning Commission Calendar

See below for agenda items for Planning Commission meetings. Please note that agenda items are subject to change. Check the website for the official agenda.

June 11

• Meeting Cancelled

June 25

• C-2/Viking Code Amendment Discussion/Open House

Planning Commission meetings are held as a hybrid - virtually via zoom webinars and in-person at the City Hall Council Chambers. Please check the agenda for meeting information.