09/12/2023 - Regular - Ltr RE ROWCity of Port Orchard
216 Prospect Street
Port Orchard WA
Mayor Putaansuu and members of the City Council,
John Lackey
PO Box 505
Port Orchard WA
98366
September 12, 2023
Re: Public Hearing on vacating City of Port Orchard right-
of-ways for the benefit of Kitsap County.
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I am the longtime owner and resident of my home on 709 Smith St. I will be directly affected by the proposed
street vacation. This plan does not take into consideration the impacts to, and safety of, this residential neighborhood; it
creates a traffic hazard and will not improve the quality of life for residents in the city.
The packet presented to the Land Use Committee shows development split into two phases- Kitsap County has no
timeline for the second phase. For context- this project will be the first effort to improve parking around the courthouse and
jail in nearly 20 years; it will likely be another 10 to 20 years before phase B is implemented or any additional parking is
added. Kitsap county currently owns only 30% of the property fronting the north side of Smith Street and is no longer
acquiring property.
In 2004 substandard parking lots were approved by the City Council, Kitsap County asked for and received
pennission to not be held to the City of Port Orchard design standards. This administration and council should not make the
same mistake.
If the request to vacate City of Port Orchard right-of-ways is granted, please consider adding the following
conditions.
• Kitsap County shall not be exempt from City of Port Orchard land use rules and development standards.
• Kitsap County shall remove or render habitable all derelict homes they own in the City of Port Orchard.
• The project shall not create narrow dead-end streets or alleys that will create a safety hazard for pedestrians,
drivers, and residents.
• Consider the option of extending the alley in-between Sidney and Austin east toward Sidney to eliminate an unsafe
dead-end.
John Lackey