MARCH 6, 2007 MCP&PSG MEETING NOTES FROM 6:45AM MEETING AT MANCHESTER FAMILY INN

 

Those attending included Kerri Desjardin, Richard Dillworth, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Bob Parks, Joe Guariz, Paul Gilligan, Joe and Mary Ann Blazevich, Ray Pardo, Mark Rebelowski, Peggy Warren, and Joe Solimine.    Everyone received a copy of a cell phone performance sheet received from Bob Lamb, it included unusual tasks you can perform with your cellphone, such as if you forgot your key call someone at home with your cell phone and they can cell phone back to you to unlock your car door, plus a number of other really astounding features.

 

We are waiting to hear back from Pete Ball about several topics.  The friends of the Manchester Library have requested our contact with Pete to determine if the Citizens On Patrol (COP) can assist with traffic for the June, Father's Day Salmon Bake.  Also asking for information pertaining to the August National Night Out program, is this something Manchester could put together as a community project, etc.  We need to meet with Pete to organize upcoming efforts to revitalize Neighborhood/Blockwatch programs in Manchester/Yukon Harbor, etc.   Have also requested more information on CRIME STOPPERS, Bud has been invited to attend their upcoming Board of Directors meeting on March 14th, in Seattle and we feel we need to know more about the program, Pete is the Kitsap County official representative.  Finally we hope to have Pete join us for one of our Tuesday morning sessions at his earliest convenience.   (FYI.......we will not have a "Safety Booth" for the Salmon Bake this year, due to a lack of available personnel for setup of the booth, working the booth 11:30AM to 5:00PM and taking the setup down.   The date is at a time many of our group are gone on vacation.)

 

Mark Rebelowski reviewed his request to the Manchester Comprehensive (Community) Plan representatives for consideration of a second entry/exit in to the Manchester Post Office.    We will be contacting the Post Master in Port Orchard by mail to make a formal request for this service.  As we all know entering and exiting the Post Office parking lot can be a challenge at certain times of the day.  Will keep you advised on this vital safety issue.

 

Joe Guariz reported on a Monday afternoon meeting held with the new reported for the Port Orchard Independent, Aaron Burkhalter.  Also in attendance were Ron Rada, and Bud Larsen.  Aaron is new to the area and very interested in keeping in touch with what is going on in Manchester.  We have added him to our "notes' list for a weekly update on what is happening.   The group toured the Manchester Library, Post Office, Boat Launch area and Pomeroy Park, while discussing changes and new projects underway or in the works.

 

March 12th is the date for two important meetings.  At 10:00AM the Kitsap County All Ports will meet at the County Commissioners Chambers to act on the recently finalized proposal for a slate of resolutions that will give more uniformity to enforcement in the various Port facilities.  It would also give the Kitsap County Sheriff's Dept. official authority to enforce private property law enforcement violations.  The resolutions must be approved by the County Commissioners with the involvement of the various Ports, the Sheriff's Department, and the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.  Larger sized letters signs will be an important part of such an effort.  Anyone who is interested can attend this meeting.   At 7:00PM on the 12th the Port of Manchester Commissioners meeting will be held at the Manchester Public Library.  We urge  Manchester residents interested in Port facilities and undertakings to attend this meeting.

 

A lengthy discussion on the February 27th Manchester Comprehensive/Community Plan meeting held in the County Commissioners office, 5:45 open house and viewing of maps, 6:30pm official meeting conducted by Commissioner Jan Angel and DCD representative from Community Planning, Scott Deiner.  The plan is due for the official updating of criteria by September of this year.  Numerous community members signed up to actively participate on the several committees that define the plan as stated in 2002, and what changes, additions, or deletions might be necessary to bring the plan to a current status for the 2007 LAMRID requirements.  There were many speakers on subjects important to them that pertain to Manchester.  Does it expand it's boundaries?  Does it stay the way it is with no further growth.  Is it possible to include as many subjects as possible, that are on the board or upcoming?  It was made plain that the plan belongs to Manchester, and it is up to the citizens to step forward and actively work towards the fruition of the many issues involved.   The officials were asked if it would be possible to establish a moratorium on future condominium growth until the 2007 MCP is completed?  We were advised that it would seem reasonable to ask this, however they would have to contact legal counsel for a final answer.  This same group will meet again, same time, same place on March 20th.  The time frame seems short to accomplish all of the things that need to be addressed, we are confident that there are the folks who care to move things along.

 

On March 2, 2007 notification of the "Notice of Hearing Examiner Decision" on Colchester Commons, Applicant John Park, BJP, LLC was distributed showing the facility the request for site plan review approval for the Colchester Commons Mixed Use Development is hereby granted subject to the conditions contained in the conclusions stated.    The decision of the Hearing Examiner is final, unless appealed to the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, as provided by section 120 of the Kitsap County Land use and Development Procedure. Any appeal must be filed on or before the close of business on March 16, 2007.

 

Our special guest today was Dusty Wiley Traffic Safety Supervisor for Kitsap County.  Dusty had returned to answer several issues that we brought to his attention, after doing study's to determine each situation on an individual basis.   As always Dusty does a great job of explaining problem areas.    In any complaint received it must be determined if it is significant or non-significant to traffic safety.    #1 was the street light at Colchester Dr. and Main St. has been fixed the way Dusty requested it be done from Puget Sound Energy.  This included a flat surface rather than a round globe on the light which reduced glare  and is much less offensive to the surrounding area.  #2  He has sent the request to PSE for the additional street light at Colchester and Mile Hill Dr. and one at Alaska Ave. & Mile Hill Dr.   It will be several weeks before these projects are completed.  #3  Dusty conducted a study on the request for a 4WAY stop at Alaska and Madrone.  Such a change is not scheduled at this time, the study made shows inadequate numbers to justify such a change.  As an example the norm is to look at the number of accidents at a given location, if there were 5 in one year this would be an immediate alert and would be acted on, if it were 3 in one year it would be monitored on a continuous basis for change upwards or down.

The question of more sidewalks for pedestrians, mothers with strollers, bicycles, etc. was entertained.  Here again there are not presently funds for this, issues such as view corridors, peak hour flows, numbers entering a road in an hour, etc.  all would relate to changes in stop signs, lights, speed bumps, etc.   It was noted that often when a traffic flow is changed, it can cause increased speeds on side streets as well as entering and exiting.  There are many tangible considerations for more stops and starts.  Dusty provided a detailed large drawing  which showed the numbers of cars going through the Alaska/Madrone intersection on February 20/21st on a 24 hour period.  Bud has this outline if you would like to see it.  It shows Alaska Northbound 24 hours 679, both ways 1,393.  Alaska West Bound 24 hours 546, both ways 1,047.  Alaska SouthBound 24 hours 257, both ways 514, Alaska East Bound 24 hours 378, both ways 764.  In accordance with standard specifications these figures do not amount to half the required number to justify a 4 way stop.     Dusty will look in to the 86 transit bus that is having to stop in the lane of traffic to board and unload passengers going uphill on Main, this appears to be a very dangerous situation waiting to happen safetywise.    The worst times of day for this Bus problem is early morning, between 3 & 4PM and 6/6:30PM.     High density is becoming more of a concern with all the extra construction in the area so it is important to relate to accident history with numbers, to relate to action taken.

 

Our guest next week will be Linda Bentley of Kitsap County Community Planning, Linda is working directly with Scott Deiner of DCD.  Plan to attend next weeks meeting, this is the lady who has the specifics on the 2007 Manchester Comprehensive Plan.

 

Submitted:    Wanda Larsen