Suquamish Sub-Area Plan lacking public participation

SUQUAMISH — A community plan isn’t a community plan unless the community is involved.

That’s the problem Kitsap County Department of Community Development long-range planner Keri Weaver is having with updating the Suquamish Rural Village Plan.

The document, which going through its first review since it was created in 1999, is being analyzed by a “working group” of residents. But Weaver said there has been no public interest — a crucial component in planning for the growth of Suquamish — and welcomes anyone to come speak at the group’s meetings.

“(The working group represents) important points of view but they can’t speak for everyone,” Weaver said. “The more people we have, the more points of view we can get.”

The Suquamish Rural Village Plan explores all the components that make up the community, including parks and open space, historic preservation, public utilities and facilities and goals and policies for the area. It is part of county’s overall land use planning document, the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan.

Residents will have a chance to speak about the proposal during the working group’s next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Suquamish Community Congregational United Church of Christ, 18732 Division Ave. Weaver said the group will be discussing transportation.

“Everyone’s been pretty concerned about that,” Weaver said.

Jon Brand, the assistant director of the Kitsap County Public Works’ roads division, will be providing information about improving roadways. Weaver also hopes to have a representative from Kitsap Transit to discuss bus services in the area.

“This next meeting is a question-and-answer session for them, and for me, to get a better idea of long-term plans there,” Weaver said.

She also stressed the importance of residents becoming more involved with the plan, so when the first draft is issued next spring, they will be able to provide educated comments during the public hearing process.

“We want to get them involved, we really do,” she said.

Several more meetings on the plan will take place through spring, then a draft of the plan with the group’s recommendations will be available for public review. It is expected to be adopted next fall as part of the county’s 2005 comprehensive plan amendments.

Weaver is also facilitating the updates to the Kingston Sub-Area Plan. An open house is scheduled from 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Kingston Community Center. Speakers will be discussing proposed amendments to the plan, including population allocations through 2025 and the Arborwood development.

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