Future of Kingston depends on meeting

KINGSTON — Nick Jewett wants to stress the importance of Tuesday night’s public hearing on the future of Kingston.

Jewett, who has been working on the Kingston Subarea Plan for the past 13 years, said the open house and public hearing on the plan will be residents’ best shot at understanding Kingston’s Urban Growth Area.

“What (the county does) will have a significant impact on those living in this community,” he said.

The Kitsap County Planning Commission will hold the meeting at Kingston Junior High at 6 p.m. on Oct. 29, to hear testimony on the draft subarea plan and the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

The plan addresses alternatives for redesigning the UGA to accommodate for the future growth of Kingston.

There are several alternative plans to be considered.

Alternative A shows the current UGA, provided as a comparison to the other plans.

Alternative B proposes expanding the current UGA northwest, to include current school facilities as well as the site of the new high school.

Alternative C shows expanding the UGA include Alternative B and additional land for a previously proposed Arborwood development, southwest of Kingston.

Alternative D includes the land in Alternative B, as well as land north of downtown Kingston, up to 272nd Ave.

A 30-day comment period is underway, in which residents can offer official remarks on the plan after reviewing it.

A copy of the plan is available at the Kingston Library and Online at www.kitsapgov.com.

Richard Sucio, the library’s branch manager, said 15 copies were dropped off at his library and now two are left. But he’s still doing his homework.

“I haven’t really sat down and read the whole thing,” Sucio said. “But I would be for anything that promotes growth. I don’t think you can (do anything) but grow. But you want to do it in a way that doesn’t destroy what’s already here like the environment and the small town feel.”

Those interested in submitting written comments can do so by sending them to Shannon Bauman at sbauman@co.kitsap.wa.us or to Kitsap County Department of Community Development, 614 Division St., MS-36, Port Orchard, WA 98366-4682. Bauman can be reached at (360) 337.5761.

“It’s a really important meeting,” Jewett said, who will be speaking at the session. “I’d have to be dead not be there.”

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