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August 19 Planning Commission Meeting - Subarea Engagement Summary_2024-0815DRAFT 08/15/2024 Port Orchard Bethel Subarea Plans Engagement Summary FROM: Makers Architecture and Urban Design DATE: August 15, 2024 Subarea Workshop Summary On July 29, 2024, the project team, which included the City, AHBL, and MAKERS, organized an in -person open house at the Kitsap Regional Library Port Orchard branch. An online survey ran concurrently with the open house and remained active until August 12, 2024, allowing those unable to attend the in -person workshop to share their feedback. The purpose of these events is to share project information and invite the community to provide feedback on the following key topics: Bethel -Lund and Sedgwick-Bethel Existing Conditions Report. Confirm preliminary findings of neighborhood assets and challenges and gather additional input on community priorities Bethel -Lund and Sedgwick-Bethel Land Use Alternatives. Community members voted for their preferred land use alternative or shared feedback on specific elements to be included in the preferred concept. Ensuring the preferred land use alternative aligns with the community's vision for the Subareas. Consultants and City Staff address questions from attendees during the presentation and open house portion of the workshop. MAKERS architecture & urban design Page 1 Bethel Subarea Engagement Summary DRAFT 08/15/2024 Main Takeaways Themes that arose from the open house and online survey include the following: Safe, efficient, and comfortable multimodal mobility. Many respondents desire improvements to pedestrian and bicycle infrastructures to improve walkability, reduce reliance on cars, and boost access to neighborhood amenities (i.e., parks, neighborhood shopping centers, schools, etc.) Protect people on foot, wheel, or bicycle by physically separating them from fast-moving vehicles (e.g., enhanced, buffered, or protected bike facilities and sidewalks). Encourage a network of trails, bike facilities, and crossing that safely connect grocery stores, bus stops, schools, and parks to and within the Subareas. Develop connectivity between Bethel -Lund and Sedgwick-Bethel. Fill gaps and maintain sidewalks to improve walkability Safety enhancements and traffic calming measure at key intersections and destinations Public supportive statements: "It is lacking safe biking corridors. Safe means separation from cars. Paint is not protection. Bike paths need to be protected from cars by a barrier or planting strip." "I want to see a healthier community with alternative and safe options to commute without the need for cars." "Wider roads and side walks to improve walkability along with bike lanes would be amazing." "How do residents west of Bethel cross safely to catch a bus downtown?" "Pedestrian crossings across major streets such as Bethel and Sedgwick; we live across Bethel but cannot safely cross to get to the bus stop. As mentioned above, sidewalks need to connect - I live a short distance from Fred Meyer but cannot walk there safely given the lack of sidewalks along Bethel. As older residents we would like to increase our bus ridership and walk to various errands - but we all require sidewalk connectivity and crosswalks to do so safely." Efficient transportation system and traffic management. Residents have expressed concerns about the strain on existing road infrastructure due to ongoing and future development and call for enhancements to increase capacity, safety, and improve traffic flow. Residents living in the northwest subdivision of Sedgwick-Bethel (ex. Ridge Village) describe the challenges they face to turn onto Sedgwick Road and Bethel Road Mixed views about the Bethel/Sedgwick Corridor improvements, particularly the addition of roundabouts. Some residents believe that a signalized intersection would enhance traffic flow more effectively. MAKERS architecture & urban design Page 2 Bethel Subarea Engagement Summary DRAFT 08/15/2024 Overall support for the installations of sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and green stormwater infrastructures Public supportive statements: "Less traffic hold up. It's wild in the afternoon. But I think owing forward with significant expansion is fantastic. We just need the roads and safety to support it." "Vastly improved traffic flow and sufficient infrastructure to accommodate the expected influx of residents and housing." "We live in Magnolia Ridge. Off Geiger, you can't turn left on Sedgwick. From Blueberry, turning left on Bethel is very difficult. Heavy traffic on Sedgwick and Bethel in the afternoon more than double my drive to work (SKHS 2.2 miles)." "One of the main concerns I have heard since living here, on all sides of the political spectrum, is that people are concerned about the new housing developments and the traffic load that they will bring. If we prioritize cars over people, then this will not help with the traffic problem that everyone complains about....Also, many people in this area drive cars that must be way over the decibel levels according to the laws and drive at extreme speeds through the neighborhood streets that are only 30 mph, like Salmonberry Rd. Speed bumps or rain gardens need to be put in place to slow down traffic to safe speeds since more enforcement is not working. I have been told Salmonberry is an arterial vein and therefore cannot have speed bumps put in based on the amount of traffic flow, but I would question the statistics on traffic there to believe this is true." Thriving centers with diverse uses for people to work, live, and play. Many residents expressed interest in an attractive, walkable neighborhood that has a mix of activities and diverse commercial and retail use Retain and attract businesses in the Subareas with focus on restaurants, shops, fitness, entertainment, and other services. (i.e., farm -to -table -style restaurants, local brewery, independent movie theater, etc.) Encourage mixed use developments with shared parking. Promote green/plaza spaces as central features of shopping centers (i.e., courtyard shopping centers) Reduce parking ratios to promote land use that make use of transit and active transportation Public supportive statements: "I wish to see it become a little area on its own with shops, food, accessibility, and adequate infrastructure that families can bike around together and have a community park. " "It would be nice for this area to feel similar to Gig Harbor North with walkability, public parks and plazas. It will give the residents the feel of community." MAKERS architecture & urban design Page 3 Bethel Subarea Engagement Summary DRAFT 08/15/2024 "I wish I could see harmony and beauty. Less strip malls, parking lots, and congestion, more pedestrian courtyards and safe bike routes." "We need more sidewalks for safe running and walking. Also more public parks for kids and families. Fewer housing developments- keep the green!" Access to recreational facilities, parks, and open space. Promote recreational and park opportunities that celebrate the beauty of Port Orchard and support play and gathering, especially for youth and teens. The community brought forth ideas such as athletic fields, disc golf courses, mid -size parks with playgrounds, and walking and biking trails. Improve park security and regulate access Some residents are supportive of the Blackjack Creek nature trail. Others were concerned it would pose safety concerns if not maintained. Public supportive statements: "The parks are really nice here, but sometimes go unmonitored or protected at night and become vandalized. It would be nice if there was better patrol or times when the park gates could be closed at night. Additionally, it would be nice to see more community gardens and disc golf courses, and if possible, I would like to see nature trails added to view wildlife around the creeks." "By ten years' time we'd hope that additional parks, tennis/pickleball/basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields would be available within Port Orchard - not specific to Sedgwick-Bethel however." "Parks and hiking trails that maintain the overall fee[I] and beauty of Port Orchard" "Please don't make a trail along Blackjack Creek. It will only encourage traffic through quiet neighborhoods and create more encampments." Resilient and sustainable community. Residents encourage to preserve greenery and encourage sustainable features (considering climate change and heat risk) such as using green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) in transportation improvements or other developments. Seek opportunities to promote community amenities such as health facilities and community gardens Protect greenery and open space and promote planting of native trees and vegetation Public supportive statements: "Pea patches or community gardens would be an awesome addition to any park added. A native plant or medicinal plant garden would be cool. Disc golf is always fun." "More bus routes & stops, sidewalks. More health and human services" MAKERS architecture & urban design Page 4 Bethel Subarea Engagement Summary DRAFT 08/15/2024 "Please preserve as much greenbelt as possible" "Would love to see increased maintenance of vacant spaces - possibly to include wildflowers or other plantings instead of weeds." "Please preserve as much of the greenbelt as possible. Also, keeping it family and pet friendly/safe is very important." Some residents want to make limited changes within the subareas and expect the development to occur with a density similar to existing conditions, but with improved infrastructure Public statements: "Development for the people already here" "[Concerns for] over crowing" "This is all private property. Planners are smoking crack if they think they can design the neighborhood to be the way they want it. These studies are a waste of time and money. All the analysis and property rights restrictions are the reason housing is unaffordable here along with the lack of infrastructure. You want to do something productive then install the infrastructure needed to develop more housing." MAKERS architecture & urban design Bethel Subarea Engagement Summary DRAFT 08/15/2024 Reactions to the Land Use Alternatives About 60% of online survey respondents supported Alternative 3 in both Subareas. The reaction amongst workshop attendees were generally split, vocal comments following the presentation geared toward Alternative 1. Attendees expressed concerns about the increase in height and density changes and related transportation impacts, as well as limited internal connectivity with the assumed developments. Comments by other participants during the open house favored components of Alternative 2 and 3 Based on the general feedback received during the workshop and online survey, community members were receptive to elements that support mixed -use developments with plaza spaces, improve commercial opportunities near arterial corridors, enhance access to parks and trails, and advance multimodal transportation. General Overview of Bethel -Lund Alternative 1 No Action and Sedgwick -Bethel Land Alternative 2 Light Touch Use Alternatives Alternative 3 Mixed Use/Transit-Oriented Development Utilize current zoning and Create flexible regulations Leverage planned moves forward with and implement strategic transportation existing policies and zoning changes to improvements and planned public accommodate growth expand growth through improvements. A notable and promote efficient mix mixed use opportunities to exception will be zoning of uses. Improve support walkable changes necessary to pedestrian mobility and neighborhoods and comply with the State's access to parks and open economic vitality. middle housing legislation. space. Advance regional trail and safe routes to school to support multimodal network. For more information on Bethel -Lund and Sedgwick-Bethel land use alternative, see Section 3.2 Alternatives of Bethel -Lund and Sedgwick-Bethel Subarea Plans. MAKERS architecture & urban design Page 6 Bethel Subarea Engagement Summary DRAFT 08/15/2024 Bethel -Lund Alternative 1 received the most votes in support of no changes in zoning or land use regulations. Alternative 3 received the second most votes. Comments by workshop attendees favored Alternative 1, while online respondents preferred Alternative 3. Alternative 2 14% The chart represents the combined votes for each proposed alternative from the open house and online survey. There are 14 total votes, with 7 from the open house and 7 from the online survey. MAKERS architecture & urban design Page 7 Bethel Subarea Engagement Summary DRAFT 08/15/2024 ALTERNATIVE 1 - NO ACTION PLACE YOUR VOTES! ALTERNATIVE 3 - MIXED USE/ ALTERNATIVE 2 - LIGHTTOUCH TRANSIT -ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT Create nregranon of an accessible open/plaza era--d—p­ Sopportamorewalkable neigM1borHoodlM1rougM1 �P­ -1h �Pp­ ­t, t. --te Lundberg Park sou-VAL-R. W—D). 1�,, imnic E­­,p,­p.­ d1111­, P., to buRerMeraWne and support recreational Pm Feeds I­­9. P.—P.. 1p­ Wth d­­­ Above is the poster of the Bethel -Lund alternatives displayed at the workshop. Each dot stickers represent a vote. MAKERS architecture & urban design Page 8 Bethel Subarea Engagement Summary DRAFT 08/15/2024 Sedgwick-Bethel The results showed that Alternative 3 received the most votes, assuming an increase in mixed -use residential and commercial retail along arterials. Alternative 2 received the second -highest number of votes. Workshop attendees preferred Alternative 2, with limited increase in building height and densities and online survey respondents favored Alternative 3. The chart represents the combined votes for each proposed alternative from the open house and online survey. There are 33 total votes, with 17 from the open house and 16 from the online survey. 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Lr9� jai�ctn Cor iElementarySchool - SE MELINE RO L IJaaxar, MIu05oft I Hub Features Transportation Ideas I `r—ho' fl-tje) ng Conditions «Mobility t—)" Support BRT llackjack Creek I Mixed use Improvements hub; investment _ potential new edgwick Bethel F—i Potential street I focus area bus routes art Orcha rd connecffon I I � Park/plaza 41� Planned SR Transit O T Center ch art Orard UGA �� Roundabout WV& Above is a photo of a poster of the Sedgwick-Bethel alternatives displayed at the workshop, including public comments posted at the meeting. MAKERS architecture & urban design Page 10 Bethel Subarea Engagement Summary