20240604 DRAFT Chapter 2 - Land Use CLEANChapter 2. Land Use
2.1 Introduction
The Land Use element represents the nexus of the Comprehensive Plan, where land use goals, policies, map
designations, and decisions are created to connect and incorporate all other elements through a future -
looking lens as the City continues to develop. The purpose of this section is to provide a framework to guide
future land use to help the City grow in an orderly, rational, and efficient way and help the community
realize its potential during the 20-year planning horizon. The goals and policies contained herein recognize
that effectively planning for growth can result in lower taxes and fees to fund and maintain infrastructure and
services as unplanned growth can reduce efficiency and increase the cost of utilities, roads, and other
services, as well as consume valuable open space.
2.2
Key Issues and Concepts
The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires
Comprehensive Plans to contain land use elements
that describe the proposed distribution, location,
and extent of land uses. Once adopted, land use
goals and policies will be functionally implemented
through Port Orchard's development regulations.
The Land Use element must plan for the City's
population and employment growth projections in
accordance with GMA requirements while balancing
new development needs with the community's
aspirations and values.
As a community, Port Orchard is growing due to a healthy birth rate, immigration, and annexation. This plan
accommodates Port Orchard's 2044 population and employment growth allocations, as distributed through
the VISION 2050 framework and agreed upon in coordination with other Kitsap County municipalities in the
Countywide Planning Policies. Port Orchard's land use and zoning designations currently provide sufficient
land capacity within City boundaries to accommodate the targeted 10,500 additional residents who will
make Port Orchard their home (during the 2020-2044 planning period). In conjunction with the findings of
the Buildable Lands Report, the Future Land Use Map shows how the additional 3,552 projected and
allocated residents in the adjacent Urban Growth Area can be accommodated.
A common theme heard throughout the public engagement process for this Comprehensive Plan Update
has been focused on how to manage growth in a way that protects the small-town character of the
community while allowing for new and innovative development that responds to changing household needs
and growth pressures. Figure 1 below shows the changes in age brackets from 2010 to 2021, with a noted
increase in the 35-54 age bracket (+4% since 2010). As Port Orchard's population ages, the City needs the
flexibility to adapt to the changing needs and desires of the various age groups and their unique needs and
desires from a land -use perspective.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
r
Port Orchard (2010) Port Orchard (2021) Kitsap County Washington
Figure 1
■ 65 and older
■55to64
■ 45 to 54
■35to44
■ 20 to 34
■ 19 and younger
The Land Use Element establishes the broad, general direction forth e City's land use policies. These land use
policies are established not only in accordance with the forward -looking population and employment growth projections
allocated to the City but are also responsive to the existing population changes that the City has experienced since the last
major Comprehensive Plan update which occurred in 2016. This element provides the City's policy plan for growth
over the next 20 years. It also implements many of the goals and objectives in the other plan elements
through suggested land use designations and other action recommendations. The Land Use Element
specifically considers the general distribution and location of land uses and the appropriate intensity and
density of land use designations to accommodate allocated population and employment growth
projections. The City's development regulations and permitting processes are used to establish adequate
development standards for growth, to ensure it occurs in a manner consistent with both the provisions of
GMA and the community's vision for the future. To accomplish this, the Land Use element establishes goals
and policies that seek to:
• Accommodate changes in population and demographics
• Encourage development in urban areas, reduce sprawl, and deliver services efficiently
• Ensure land use designations reflect need and demand
• Minimize traffic congestion and encourage the development of a multimodal transportation
system
• Protect open spaces and the natural environment
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
• Promote physical activity
• Support a range of employment opportunities
• Allow middle housing types in areas predominantly characterized by single family detached housing.
2.3 Land Use Designations
The City's Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element identifies seven different land use designations which are
shown in the Future Land Use Map below. These land use designations are implemented through the
City's zoning regulations contained in the Municipal Code. Each land use designation may correspond to
one or more zoning designations for implementation. As the City develops subarea plans for its designated
centers as described in section 2.7, the City may wish to create new zones and standards consistent with
this Plan, its goals and policies, and these land use designations. When doing so, the City should ensure
that it doesn't significantly alter the land capacity for the City such that the City's population and
employment growth allocations adopted in the countywide planning policies can't be accommodated.
Likewise, if subarea plans are likely to accelerate population and employment growth rates, the City
should take reasonable measures to ensure that it doesn't surpass its 2044 growth targets.
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CITY OF PORT ORCHARD
2023 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP
Greenbelt
Law Density RB denOal
Wdium_D—d, Residential
- High -Density Residential
- Commercial
Urban In&wi.l
Publ cand Communty Spaces
Urban Growth Area
Port Orchard UGA
.r.--r.... 11 V E
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Protection of critical areas, habitat
management areas, greenbelts,
Greenbelt
and designated open space.
Allows for low density residential
development.
Low Density Residential
Allows for single-family detached
housing.
R2 allows single-family detached
and attached, ADUs, duplexes,
-sidential 2
Medium Density
cottage courts, and townhouses.
-sidential 3
Residential
R3 allows all of the above plus
fourplexes and apartment
buildings.
Allows for cottage courts,
. 4 — Residential 4
High Density Residential
fourplexes, townhouses, and
apartment buildings.
Residential• Use
Neighborhood Mixed Use
BPMU — Business Professional Mixed Use
Allows for commercial uses, retail,
Use
CMU —Commercial DD •Mixed •
Commercial
office, mixed -use
commercial/residential, and
Mixed
professional services.
CorridorCC —Commercial
CH —Commercial Heavy
IF — Industrial Flex did
Allows for manufacturing and
Industrialassembly,
11
Urban Industrial
bulk storage and
I — Heavy lndustriaAljl'
warehousing, and transfer and
trucking services.
and Institutional
Public and Community
Allows for government services,
. — Parks and Recreation
oil
Spaces
utilities, parks, schools, and other
PF — Public Facilities
related public facilities.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.4 Current Land Use Characteristics
Figure 2 shows the overall acreage of each zoning district within the City. Most land in the City is devoted to
housing. Commercial areas throughout the City offer a range of goods and services, provide employment for
residents and those living in surrounding rural areas. Commercial areas also provide additional tax revenue
to help fund and maintain public services and facilities. Industrial lands allow for light manufacturing and
warehousing businesses, which also provide job opportunities and support the area's economy.
Figure 2
Zone
Acres
G B
503.4
R1
308.5
R2
1,572.13
R3
962.68
R4
64.25
N M U
13.30
B P M U
51.69
CMU
317.54
DM U
48.2
GMU
35.1
CC
180.81
CH
224.32
IF
7.6
LI
137.6
CI
143.67
PR
829.95
PF
265.44
Total
5,666.6
2.5 Buildable Land Capacity
The Kitsap County 2021 Buildable Lands Report (BLR) found that the City of Port Orchard has room to develop, through
vacant or underutilized lands, a total of 6,659 dwelling units, or enough space for 16,250 residents using a variety of
housing types, with the BLR basing these calculations on an assumed average of 2.44 people per housing unit. This
means that the City has sufficient capacity to accommodate its growth allocation developed under the VISION 2050
framework, but also that it has surplus capacity which could potentially allow the City to exceed its growth allocation.
The City's Population Capacity is shown in Table 1:
City of Port Orchard
Population Capacity and Demand
2044 Population Capacity
16,250
2020-2044 Allocated Population Growth
10,500
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Net Population Capacity (+ or -) 5,750
UGA Pop. Capacity/Demand Ratio 1.55
Table 1
2.5.1 Current and Projected Growth and Performance
The growth allocation described in Table 1 above provided a target of 10,500 people that need to be
accommodated between 2020 and 2044. As part of the City's 2024 Periodic Update, the City has the benefit
of reviewing historic population growth data to evaluate its performance in accommodating population
allocations.
Since the City's last Comprehensive Plan Update in 2016, the City grew at an average rate of 3.5% per year as
shown in Table 2 below. Given the characteristics of the areas annexed by the City, including numerous
entitled projects, the growth rate for the City after its most recent annexation is the best available data for
projecting the City's future growth rate.
ME
OFM
Population
Estimate
13,810
0
OFM
L:�; Growth Rate
2016 --
13,990
2017
1.3%
14,160
2018
1.2%
14,390
2019
1.6%
15,587
2020
8.3%
15,960
2021
2.4%
16,400
2022
2.8%
17,480
2023
6.6%
XX
2024
XX
Table 2
Using the assumption that the current 3.5% average annual growth rate will remain steady, the City is able to
project that its 2044 population would be 34,903 people. This projection is 6,923 people above the City's
growth allocation from PSRC for the Comprehensive Plan's planning horizon of 2044. The City would have to
have an average annual growth rate of 3% in order to meet (and not exceed) PSRC's growth allocation of an
additional 10,500 population in 2044. This can be interpreted to mean that the City has experienced heavier
average growth since the last Comprehensive Plan Update in 2016 than it can anticipate over the upcoming 20-
year planning horizon based on PSRC's growth allocations.
2.6 Overlay Districts
The City's development regulations include land use overlay districts which are applied in parts of the City.
Port Orchard's overlay districts accomplish varying objectives including implementing subarea plans,
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
providing regulations for the development in centers, regulating specific uses, and determining building
heights.
The City has currently has the following overlay districts:
• Downtown Height Overlay District (DHOD)
• Self -Storage Overlay District (SSOD)
• Ruby Creek Overlay District (RCOD)
• View Protection Overlay District (VPOD)
• McCormick Urban Village Overlay District (MVOD)
The creation of a new overlay district may be appropriate as the City continues to develop subarea plans
under the Centers approach to growth.
2.7 Land Use Goals & Policies
Goals are not listed in any particular order. Port Orchard strives to:
Goal I. Retain Port Orchard's small town commercial and residential
character while accommodating allocated growth citywide.
Policy LU-1. Ensure that land use and zoning regulations maintain and enhance low density residential
neighborhoods, while encouraging that new development provides a mixed range of
housing types.
Policy LU-2. Limit industrial development to locations accessible from arterials or freeways and
discourage industrial access through residential areas.
Policy LU-3. Maintain building and site design standards that support an attractive and functional built
environment in all areas of the City.
Policy LU-4. Encourage the subdivision of large parcels and, through private subdivisions and public
acquisitions, the creation of a continuous street grid similar in scale to the downtown's,
especially in designated centers.
Goal 2. Ensure that sufficient land is available for development to
accommodate allocated growth in population and employment.
Policy LU-5. Ensure land use and development regulations enable a supply of housing units within the
City and adjacent UGA that will accommodate forecasted population growth. Ensure land
use and development regulations enable a supply of commercial retail and office space
within the City and adjacent UGA that will accommodate forecasted employment growth.
Policy LU-6. Ensure adequate land is available for light industrial and commercial uses, including high
technology, medical, and office uses, in appropriate areas to diversify Port Orchard's
economic base and provide for the community's changing needs.
Policy LU-7. Monitor the rate of residential, light industrial and commercial growth against the 20- year
targets established in VISION 2050 and the Countywide Planning Policies, and if growth
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
appears to deviate from a rate that complies with these targets, consider adopting
reasonable measures such as reducing/increasing adopted transportation levels of service,
reducing/increasing impact fees, or accelerating/delaying projects within the City's Capital
Improvement Program.
Policy LU-8. Allow for a variety of single-family, middle housing, and multi -family housing types and
employment opportunities that meet the needs of diverse socioeconomic interests.
Policy LU-9. Notify adjacent military facilities of relevant local land use decisions.
Policy LU-10. Allow for the siting of organic materials (OM) management facilities to meet OM reduction
and diversion goals as identified in the Kitsap County Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
Plan.
Goal 3. Implement a strategy to develop centers.
Policy LU-11. In consultation with stakeholders and the general public, develop a comprehensive strategy
to implement centers as a means of directing and prioritizing residential and commercial
growth.
Policy LU-12. Within centers, set minimum building densities that enable lively and active streets and
commercial destinations. Such limits may take the form of: minimum floors or building
height, floor -area -ratios, and lot coverage; and maximum street setbacks and parking
spaces.
Goal 4. Ensure that both public services and infrastructure are developed
in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Policy LU-13. Prioritize capital facilities and transportation investment in those locations targeted for
growth and higher land use densities.
Policy LU-14. Coordinate with Kitsap County to develop a plan and timeline to annex UGA land adjacent
to the City, consistent with the City's capability to provide municipal services and applicable
law.
Policy LU-15. Identify land in the UGA that is useful for public purposes, such as utility corridors,
transportation corridors, parks, schools, and other public uses.
Goal S. Protect, enhance, and maintain the values and functions of Port
Orchard's natural areas, open spaces, and critical areas.
Policy LU-16. Evaluate a range of incentives to encourage compact development to preserve open space
throughout the City, possibly to include density credits, incentive zoning, and/or transfer of
development rights.
Policy LU-17. Prioritize the development of new parks, open space, and passive and active recreational
opportunities in underserved neighborhoods and centers, especially those that do not have
a park within a 5-minute walk, as identified in the Port Orchard Parks, Recreation and Open
Space Plan.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Policy LU-18. Incentivize infill development to preserve and protect open space, critical areas, and natural
resources.
Policy LU-19. Protect the quality and quantity of groundwater used for public water supplies through
zoning designations, development regulations, and the local critical areas ordinance.
Goal 6. Reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, promote
public health, reduce auto dependency, and increase multimodal
transportation opportunities for accessing retail services, health
care services, and places of employment.
Policy LU-20. Ensure orderly development, concurrency of infrastructure provision, and protection of
environmentally sensitive areas through an effective and predictable permitting process.
Policy LU-21. Continue to review zoning, subdivision, and street regulations for barriers to low -impact
development. Encourage the minimization of impervious surface areas in development.
Policy LU-22. Promote local food security and public health by enabling the establishment of urban
agriculture, community gardens, farmers markets, and food production and distribution
infrastructure.
Policy LU-23. Enable land use patterns that allow all residents to safely and efficiently access commercial
services, especially grocery stores and healthcare facilities, without an automobile.
Policy LU-24. Encourage the expansion of transit networks that enable both incorporated and
unincorporated neighborhoods outside of the City to access job centers within Port Orchard.
Goal 7. Encourage the development of active, vibrant, and attractive
destinations throughout the community.
Policy LU-25. Incorporate the following principles in planning for commercial areas:
• Create lively and attractive places on a human scale.
• Support a mix of retail, office, and residential uses in multistory structures.
• Create transitions between commercial areas and surrounding residential
neighborhoods.
• Protect residential areas from excessive noise, exterior lighting, glare, visual
nuisances, and other conditions that detract from the quality of the living
environment.
• Encourage multi -modal transportation options, especially during peak traffic
periods.
• Promote an intensity and density of land uses sufficient to support effective
transit and pedestrian activity.
• Promote a street pattern that provides through connections, pedestrian and
vehicular access.
• Establish urban and architectural design standards that support an attractive and
functional pedestrian environment, such as block size limits and requiring street -
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
facing windows and doors.
• Encourage pedestrian travel to and within commercial areas by providing:
• Safe and attractive walkways.
• Close groupings of land uses.
• Parking lot design that provides safe walking routes and pedestrian
connections between adjacent properties.
• Off-street surface parking to the backs or sides of buildings to maximize
pedestrian access from the sidewalk(s).
Goal 8. Connect new and existing neighborhoods to each other, to
commercial and employment centers, and to public facilities.
Policy LU-26. Require adequate transitions between different land uses to mitigate potential negative
impacts of noise, light, and air pollution.
Policy LU-27. Require new development to provide connections to and through -access for existing and
planned trails and roads. Explore strategies to encourage existing development to provide
the same as part of a City- and region -wide trail and open space network.
Goal 9. Encourage the ongoing development of downtown as an active,
vibrant community, commercial, social, and civic center while
respecting its historic character.
Policy LU-28. In conjunction with the Centers Strategy as provided in Section 2.7, enhance downtown Port
Orchard's role as the center of the South Kitsap region, reflecting the following principles in
development standards and land use plans:
• Encourage land uses that support transit centers and promote pedestrian activity.
• Promote a mix of uses, including retail, office, and housing.
• Encourage uses that will provide both daytime and evening activities.
• Support civic, cultural, and entertainment activities.
• Provide sufficient public open space and recreational opportunities.
• Enhance, and provide access to, the waterfront.
• Develop enhanced design guidelines and design review requirements that
promote attractive, pedestrian -scale development and redevelopment within the
City's historic downtown area.
• Encourage and promote commercial building maintenance and occupancy to
enhance the downtown business core.
Policy LU-29. Consider conducting a downtown parking study to assess current and future parking needs
and develop solutions and strategies to address identified constraints or oversupply.
Policy LU-30. Ensure land use designations and development support existing maritime industries,
promote creative uses of the waterfront, and facilitate the planning and construction of
waterfront parks and gathering places.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Goal 10. Collaborate with the County and nearby cities to develop a
comprehensive watershed plan that incorporates land use
strategies aimed at improving the health of Puget Sound.
Policy LU-31. Reduce stormwater impacts from development through watershed planning,
redevelopment and retrofit projects, and low -impact development.
Policy LU-32. Coordinate land use planning with the County and nearby cities to identify changes that may
occur to stream hydrology and water quality as a result of different land use scenarios and
under a full build -out of the City's designated land use classifications.
Policy LU-33. Implement the recommendations contained within the Downtown Basin Stormwater Plan
to ensure that development of the Downtown subarea does not result in increased
stormwater runoff and pollution to Puget Sound.
Goal 11. Ensure land use planning is equitable and does not worsen
environmental health disparities.
Policy LU-34. Integrate community health, equity, and displacement into appropriate planning practices
and decision -making processes.
Policy LU-35. Reduce impacts to vulnerable populations' and areas that have been disproportionately
affected by noise, air pollution, or other environmental impacts.
Goal 12. Establish land use patterns that increase the resilience of the built
environment, ecosystems, and community to climate change.
Policy LU-36. Establish development regulations that incorporate best practices for reducing the risk of
wildfire, extreme heat, flooding, and other climate -exacerbated hazards.
Policy LU-37. Identify and implement strategies for reducing residential development pressure in the
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).
Policy LU-38. For areas within the Wildland Urban Interface, apply the requirements of the Washington
Wildland Urban Interface Code.
Policy LU-39. Develop regulations for elevating new and substantially improved structures that are at
demonstrated risk of damage caused by sea level rise.
Policy LU-40. Address rising sea water by siting and planning for relocation of hazardous industries and
essential public services away from the 500-year floodplain.
Goal 13. Monitor population growth rates to ensure that the City is
accommodating its share of regional growth as allocated in the
Countywide Planning Policies.
Policy LU-41. If the City's population growth rate falls below the rate needed to meet the 2044 population
1 See RCW 36.70A.030(47) for definition of vulnerable populations
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
growth target, the City should consider adopting reasonable measures such as reducing
adopted transportation levels of service, impact fees, or accelerating growth -related
projects within the City's Capital Improvement Program.
Policy LU-42. If the City's population growth rate exceeds the rate needed to meet the 2044 population
growth target, the City should consider adopting reasonable measures including increasing
transportation level of service standards, impact fees, or delaying projects within the City's
Capital Improvement Program.
2.8 The Centers Strategy
2.8.1 Introduction
Throughout the post-war housing booms of the 1920s and 1940s, suburban residential development has
become synonymous with the beginning of a development pattern known as urban sprawl. Sprawl expands
development over large amounts of land, resulting in long distances between homes, jobs, and stores. It
also significantly increases dependence on the automobile and traffic on neighborhood streets and
highways, as driving is required for nearly every activity. This development pattern also draws economic
resources away from existing communities and spreads them thinly and inefficiently, far away from a
community's historic core. This increases spending on new roads, new water and sewer lines, and police
and fire protection. This ultimately leads to the degradation of the older city, higher taxes, and fewer
available resources for already existing communities. In the early 1990s, Washington sought to combat this
adverse development style by adopting the Growth Management Act (GMA). Among other ambitions, the
GMA suggested a new development pattern broadly known as "centers".
In association with the City's 2016 major update to the Comprehensive Plan, the City designated ten "local
centers" in accordance with the criteria provided in the Puget Sound Regional Council's (PSRC) VISION 2040.
In subsequent years, VISION 2040's criteria and terminology for centers have been revised, and as such the
City has revised its center terminology and boundaries for consistency. Based on the new criteria established
in PSRC's VISION 2050, the City has six designated "countywide centers" and three designated "local
centers".
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Compact development
Power Sewer
enables efficiency in
capital facilities
construction and
service delivery
Roads Water
A. Least Dense
7
B. Moderately Dense
W
C Most Dense
Figure 3 — The advantages of infrastructure and land use concurrency
2.8.2 What are Centers?
Traditional neighborhoods often had smaller business districts that served surrounding residential areas.
These districts typically had retail shops, markets, and services that were a short walk from the homes in
the area. Additionally, these districts created a unique identity that solidified the neighborhood. With the
increased cost of fuel and the economic recession, residents of Port Orchard have expressed a preference
for the development of smaller, local retailers and service providers in places that knit people and
commerce together on a local level.
Centers are focused areas of development that have key uses which enable the City to deliver services more
cost -efficiently and equitably pursue a development pattern that is environmentally and economically
sound and provide a means of influencing growth and change through collaboration with the community in
planning for the future of these areas. This strategy helps to accommodate growth in designated areas while
preserving the existing character of the community, thereby retaining more open space and the dominant
pattern of existing development. Centers accomplish these objectives by:
• Concentrating a thoughtful mix of supporting uses.
• Allowing more intense development while maintaining appropriate scale.
• Offering a wider variety of housing types that meets the needs of the broader community.
• Minimizing the dependence on vehicle trips.
The Centers strategy is a comprehensive and long-term approach to planning for a sustainable future that
helps preserve those aspects of the community that residents' value. This approach is intended to maximize
the benefit of public investment in infrastructure and services and promote collaboration with private
interests and the community to achieve mutual benefits.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Providing opportunities for residents, jobs, stores, services, and open spaces to be located in close proximity
can reduce the reliance on cars for shopping and commuting and offer better access to daily wants and
needs. Increasing residential and employment densities in key locations makes transit and other public
services convenient for more people and therefore makes these services more efficient.
According to VISION 2050, centers serve important roles as sub -regional hubs and secondary concentrations
of development. They provide a dense mix of housing and services, such as stores, medical offices, and
libraries. They serve as focal points where people come together for a variety of activities, including
business, shopping, living, and recreation. They often have a civic character with community facilities, such
as municipal buildings and other public places. Local centers should be served by regular local transit and
regional express transit service and should have a complete network of sidewalks and access to bicycle paths
and transit facilities.
The Regional Centers Framework identifies the process for the designation of Centers and defines five
different types of Centers:
1. Regional Growth Centers
Regional Growth Centers are major centers strategically located to accommodate significant
population and employment growth. They are characterized by compact, pedestrian -oriented
development, with a mix of office, commercial, civic, entertainment, and residential uses.
Regional growth centers include two subtypes — Metro Growth Centers and Urban Growth
Centers. Metro Growth Centers must meet a minimum existing density of 30 activity units3 per
acre and a minimum planned target density of 85 activity units per acre. Urban Growth Centers
must meet a minimum existing density of 18 activity units per acre and a minimum planned
target density of 45 activity units per acre.
2. Manufacturing/Industrial Centers
Manufacturing/Industrial Centers are areas that preserve lands for family -wage jobs in basic
industries and trade and provide areas where that employment may grow in the future. They are
characterized by having industrial land uses and being located near ports, railroads or major
highways. Manufacturing/Industrial Centers include two subtypes — Industrial Employment
Centers and Industrial Growth Centers. Both subtypes must meet specific criteria for designation,
including a minimum number of existing jobs, capacity to meet a minimum number of planned
jobs, and have a regional role.
3. Countywide Centers
Countywide Centers are designated in accordance with each county's countywide planning
policies, and serve an important role as places for concentrating jobs, housing, shopping and
recreational opportunities. Countywide Centers include two subtypes — Countywide Growth
2 https://www.psrc.org/media/3038
3 A measure of total activity that combines the number of jobs and population. (VISION 2050)
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Centers and Countywide Industrial centers. Countywide Growth Centers must be designated
within the County's Comprehensive Plan and must also meet a minimum existing density of 10
activity units per acre and must plan for a mix of residential and employment uses and have
capacity for additional growth. Countywide Industrial Centers must also be designated within the
County's Comprehensive Plan and have a minimum of 1,000 existing jobs and/or 500 acres of
industrial land, as well as be 75% zoned for industrial uses, and have capacity for additional
growth.
4. Local Centers
VISION 2050 calls for local jurisdictions to support a centers -based approach to planning and
development and designate Local Centers. These centers are designated through a local planning
process, not through the Regional Centers Framework process.
5. Military Installations
Military installations are a vital part of the region, and while they are not subject to local, regional
or state plans and regulations, recognizing the role they play in the regional economy and to
regional growth patterns is important to local planning.
Centers achieve "Designated" status when they are officially recognized by PSRC and approved in accordance with the
Regional Centers Framework. They are then eligible for infrastructure investments and prioritized for transit access.
Centers that are identified as "Candidates" are those that have been identified for future growth but are still being
planned for their suitability and feasibility as a Center.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Figure 5 — Rendering of a concept for a pedestrian -focused town center
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.8.3 Designated Centers (Existing and Planned)
The following centers have been designated in the City's comprehensive plan by center type:
Regional Centers.
The City has no designated regional centers at this time. Downtown Port Orchard was evaluated as
part of the Downtown Subarea Planning Process as a candidate for regional center designation but
achieving the PSRC requirement for 45 activity units per acre was determined to be too large of a
change to Downtown Port Orchard. As Downtown continues to grow and evolve, its candidacy as a
regional center should be revisited in the future.
Manufacturing/Industrial Centers.
The City has no designated Manufacturing/Industrial Centers currently. The City's only industrial park
is too small to be considered either a Manufacturing/Industrial Center or a Countywide Center. Port
Orchard is served by the nearby Puget Sound Industrial Center — Bremerton.
Countywide Centers.
The City has six designated Countywide Centers. Not all of these Countywide Centers meet the
minimum activity units per acre threshold per the PSRC Regional Centers Criteria for Countywide
Centers (ten activity units per acre). The City intends that these Countywide Centers which don't
presently meet the activity unit threshold set by PSRC will undergo land use capacity analysis in
association with future subarea planning efforts to meet the activity unit threshold. These centers
may temporarily be recognized as candidate countywide centers or local centers until the activity
unit threshold is met. The City's designated Countywide Centers are as follows:
1. Downtown Port Orchard
2. Tremont Center
3. Mill Hill
4. Sedgwick Bethel
5. Bethel Lund
6. Sedgwick Sidney (Ruby Creek Neighborhood)
Local Centers.
The City has designated the following local centers:
1. Annapolis
2. Old Clifton Industrial Park
3. McCormick Woods
Military Installations.
The City has no military installations within the City Limits.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.8.4 General Center Goals and Policies
The following are a list of general goals and suggested policies that Centers should seek to fulfill. Although
Centers have common elements, it should be acknowledged that each Center is unique and have/will have
a different set of priorities. Centers goals should be tailored to the specific Center in question. Generally,
Centers should seek to:
Policy CN-1. Prioritize the City's residential, commercial and light industrial growth and infrastructure
investments within designated Centers, in accordance with VISION 2050 and the
Countywide Planning Policies.
Policy CN-2. Focus future growth in designated, higher intensity areas in an effort to encourage the
preservation of open space and maintain surrounding neighborhood character.
Policy CN-3. Shorten commutes by concentrating housing and employment in strategic locations, which
provides residents opportunities to live and work in the same neighborhood.
Policy CN-4. Provide commercial services that serve the population of the Center, surrounding
neighborhoods, the city, and the region (dependent on the suitability of the scale of each
Center).
Policy CN-5. Support pedestrian and transit uses by promoting compact, mixed -use areas with
appropriate infrastructure that provide a variety of activities.
Policy CN-6. Balance objectives for accommodating growth, encouraging compatibility, promoting
housing affordability, and offering a wide range of housing types.
Policy CN-7. Provide access to parks and public pedestrian spaces by creating them within each Center
or by creating connections to existing public and open spaces.
Policy CN-8. During subarea planning for Centers, develop an implementation plan that addresses how
the City will meet Center goals through appropriate land use designations, annexation,
development of capital facilities and utilities, and related measures.
Policy CN-9. The City shall direct growth to Centers of all types through focused regulations and directed
capital projects.
Policy CN-10. The City should support employment growth, the increased use of non -automobile
transportation options, and the preservation of the character of existing built-up areas by
encouraging residential and mixed -use development at increased densities in designated
Centers.
Policy CN-11. The City shall ensure that higher density development in Centers is either within walking or
biking distance of jobs, schools, and parks and is well -served by public transit.
Policy CN-12. The City shall create and designate zoning that allows a mix of uses to accommodate
concentrations of employment and housing.
Policy CN-13. The City shall encourage a broad range of housing types and commercial uses within
designated Centers, through zoning and development regulations that serve a local,
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
citywide, or regional market.
Policy CN-14. The City shall encourage the creation of public open space, private open space, and parks
within and serving designated centers.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.8.5 Specific Center Descriptions and Policies
2.8.5.1 Downtown Port Orchard (Countywide Center)
In 2021, the City completed a subarea plan for Downtown Port Orchard which is adopted by reference in
Appendix D. This plan combined two previous centers, the Downtown Port Orchard and County Campus
Centers into one center. The center was evaluated for possible designation as a Regional Urban Growth
Center, but there was a lack of support for increasing the level of activity in the center to a planned target
of 45 activity units per acre. The boundaries of this center are shown on the map below:
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.8.5.2 Tremont (Countywide Center)
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Tremont Subarea Plan is to ensure that future development in
the Tremont Corridor is guided by specific standards and land use regulations that have been
generated by community wide involvement. This Comprehensive Plan and the Tremont
Subarea Plan incorporate existing documents related to properties within the Tremont Corridor
to establish a vision, goals, and policies.
Vision. The Tremont Corridor is one of three primary entry points into the City of Port
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Orchard from Highway 16. Presently the area is a mix of single-family residences, commercial,
health care facilities and multi -family residences. The expanded Harrison Hospital Urgent Care
Campus and Kaiser Permanente facilities are the anchors for businesses along the corridor,
particularly from Pottery Avenue west to Highway 16 forming the basis for a Hospital Benefit
District. The Tremont Corridor is a through -way for travelers and residents wanting to access
shops and services in the core of the city and businesses and homes in outlying areas. The
Tremont Corridor also announces to residents and visitors alike that Port Orchard has economic
vitality and provides services and opportunities to its citizens and residents in the south Kitsap
area.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Tremont Corridor and Port Orchard residents have determined that they would like to see the
corridor developed in way that encourage professional businesses that support the health care
facilities already in place and businesses that allow the continuing free flow of traffic from
Highway 16 into the downtown areas. Focus should be placed upon pedestrian connections within
the district as well as providing a regional connection to the South Kitsap areas served by the
hospitals and emergency service providers within the district.
the City completed a roadway reconstruction project within the Tremont Corridor in 2018, which
improved intersections, created bicycle lanes, widened sidewalks, provided street trees in
landscape strips, and a landscaped median that will create a boulevard style of roadway. The
Tremont corridor is promoted to include design standards that will necessitate new development
to provide a consistent, attractive landscape edge while maintaining a human scale to new and
redevelopment projects. A system of trails that are pedestrian and bike friendly connecting the
Tremont Corridor to the Port Orchard marine walkway with trails through natural areas are key to
the success of the Tremont district.
The Tremont district is envisioned with some multi -family residences to accommodate the
combination of residential and employment land uses within walking distances of the major
health care facilities. Some cafes and neighborhood services are also envisioned to support those
living, working, or visiting the health care facilities. Regulations and design guidelines should help
to ensure that parking is provided in a manner that is beneficial to the neighborhood and
enhances the flow of transportation through the district. In addition, Tremont Corridor
stakeholders envision monument signage that are tastefully designed and constructed of natural
materials.
The corridor from Pottery Avenue east to Sidney Road consists primarily of single-family
residences and small clinics. Single family uses are encouraged as a desired mix of services and
residential uses within this district.
2. Housing and Employment. As of 2018, the Tremont Countywide Center measured 215 acres
containing 1,092 residents and 702 jobs. This equates to 8 activity units per acre under the PSRC
regional centers framework.
3. Tremont Center Goals
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
Goal 14. Encourage development within the area that supports the major
hospital and medical installations (Harrison Hospital and Kaiser
Permanente) and assists the emergency response agencies in the
corridor (South Kitsap Fire and Rescue).
Policy CN-15. Encourage regulations that enhance existing businesses while providing incentives that
promote economic growth in the corridor while maintaining sensitivity to residents in the
area.
Policy CN-16. Encourage professional and office uses that support the medical industry and create
pedestrian oriented health care focus.
Policy CN-17. Promote the creation of a hospital benefit district that will create opportunities for
additional community and economic development funding.
Goal IS. Encourage residential units within walking distance to
employment, services, and health care facilities.
Policy CN-18. Require sidewalks or interconnected pedestrian paths or a system of trails for non -
motorized transportation with all new development.
Goal 16. Encourage development of an efficient multimodal transportation
system and develop a funding strategy and financing plan to meet
its needs.
Policy CN-19. Encourage all new developments to limit direct access to Tremont Street.
Policy CN-20. All future City paving projects on streets within the Tremont Corridor should include
continuous six-foot paved walkways for pedestrian use.
Policy CN-21. Developments abutting public rights -of -way within the Tremont Corridor should include
sidewalks and bicycle lanes consistent with the non -motorized improvements identified in
the Transportation Element.
Policy CN-22. The City shall help to facilitate the development of trail systems that connect the Tremont
Corridor with transportation facilities in the surrounding areas.
Policy CN-23. Encourage the expansion of Kitsap Transit's service to increase trip frequency within the
Tremont Corridor.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.8.5.3 Mile Hill Countywide Center
The Mile Hill Countywide Center consists of development along the Mile Hill Road commercial corridor and
adjacent multifamily development from the South Kitsap Mall to the eastern City boundary near Whittier
Avenue SW. The area is served by Kitsap Transit. As of 2018, the Lower Mile Hill Countywide Center
measured 70 acres containing 174 residents and 288 jobs. This equates to seven activity units per acre
under the PSRC regional centers framework.
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Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.8.5.4 Sedgwick/Bethel Countywide Center
[This Center is getting a specific look through this Comprehensive Plan Update process. This section will be
updated with the findings of the subarea planning efforts once completed.]
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.8.5.5 Bethel Lund Countywide Center
[This Center is getting a specific look through this Comprehensive Plan Update process. This section will be
updated with the findings of the subarea planning efforts once completed.]
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Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.7.5.8 Sedgwick/Sidney (Ruby Creek Neighborhood) Countywide Center
The Sedgwick/Sidney Countywide Center is a rapidly developing area of the City at the intersection of Sidney
Road SW and SW Sedgwick Road that has seen significant multifamily and commercial development since
its designation in the 2016 Comprehensive Plan as a Countywide Center. The area is served by Kitsap Transit.
The City has developed the Ruby Creek Neighborhood Subarea Plan, which was adopted in September 2020.
As detailed in the Subarea Plan, the center is planned to consist of 14.82 activity units per acre (with activity
units being measured by combined capacity of jobs and housing units), with the activity units being
comprised of a mix of approximately 73% residential and 27% commercial at full build -out.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.7.5.8 Old Clifton Industrial Park Local Center
The Old Clifton Industrial Employment Local Center is located at the site of reclaimed sand and gravel mine.
Its close proximity to transportation facilities and its isolation as a result of past mining activities make it an
ideal site for industrial and employment uses. The site is served by Kitsap Transit and is located along Old
Clifton Road near SR-16. The City should work to develop a sub area plan for this area as time and resources
allow. This is the potential to expand this center boundary to the south along Old Clifton Road. Any
expansion should be evaluated as part of the development of a subarea plan.
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Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.7.5.9 McCormick Woods Local Center
The McCormick Woods Local Center is located along Old Clifton Road near the western boundary of the
City. The Subarea includes the McCormick Village commercial district which is surrounded by a mix of single
family and middle housing types. The Center includes the McCormick Village Regional Park and a future
South Kitsap School District school site. In 2021, a subarea plan for this local center was prepared. See
Appendix E to the Comprehensive Plan — McCormick Urban Village Subarea Plan.
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Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024
2.7.5.10 Annapolis Local Center
The Annapolis Local Center is located on the Sinclair Inlet shoreline east of the city's Downtown Countywide
Center. This center includes Mitchell Point and the Annapolis Pier, from which Kitsap Transit operates a foot
ferry service to Bremerton during the work week. Commuter parking is located east of the pier. The area
also includes several historic buildings, commercial services, and residences, as well as a public dock and
kayak launch point. The Bay Street Pedestrian Pathway will end at the foot ferry facility.
2.8.6 Road Map to Implementation
Further planning for centers is required to implement the City's vision for the overall centers' strategy. The
City is committed to undertaking a sub area planning process for each center, to better identify center
boundaries and to develop a vision statement, goals, and policies for each center that are responsive to the
unique attributes of that center. This planning process will establish recommendations for amending
development regulations, zoning designations, design guidelines and capital facility plans to reflect and
implement the sub area plans. It also ensures that public engagement and community outreach efforts will
be conducted to provide members of the community the opportunity to help steer the direction of the
planning efforts. Subarea plans for the centers will be adopted into the City's comprehensive plan.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan Revised: Dec 2021 DRAFT: June 2024