Kingston’s hazy crystal ball: UGA sparks local debates

KINGSTON — Preserving wildlife, the Carpenter Creek watershed and even homeowner views were topics of concern at an EIS scoping meeting held Monday evening at Kingston Junior High.

About 50 people gathered in the commons area to suggest items that should be covered in a draft environmental impact statement for three proposed sub-area plans for Kingston.

Plan A is the current urban growth area with 743 acres. Plan B “the small UGA” plan would be about 1,400 acres and would include Kingston Junior High and proposed site for the new high school. Plan C “the large UGA” is about 2,300 acres and would include all of the land in options A and B, plus land included in the Arborwood housing development.

Betsy Cooper, who also served on the 15-member steering committee that developed the three plans, said population growth is her biggest concern with plans B and C.

Based on the current density used within the current urban growth area, Plan B would bring in more than 3,600 more people, Cooper said. Plan C has the potential to support a population of about 13,200 people.

“This was a significant discussion in the committee process,” Cooper said.

The majority of citizens who gave testimony said they were concerned with the two new UGA proposals on the table.

Some people wanted areas removed from the plans and others wanted areas added.

Bill Arness suggested that the north boundary of all three proposed UGAs be looked at.

“Kingston is going to grow,” he said. “Let’s look at the north area up here.”

The area he pointed out includes the Apple Tree Point development.

During the steering committee discussions, the north boundary was the least controversial border.

“The north has not been looked at,” said Katie Fortune, one of the owners of Apple Tree Point.

“It’s just sad that after 10 years we’re back to square one. I believe there should be a Plan D,” she said.

Rick Sepler of Madrona Planning urged people concerned with the boundaries to talk to the Kitsap County Planning Commission. The purpose of Monday’s meeting was to hear environmental concerns.

The comments will be compiled and a draft environmental impact statement will be issued for public review. The draft is expected to be released early next year. More hearings will follow.

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