MCP&PSG APRIL 3, 2007 COFFEE & DISCUSSION 6:45AM, MANCHESTER FAMILY INN

 

Attending were Ron and Joyce Rada, Paul Gilligan, Joe Blazevich, Peggy Warren, Kerri Desjardin, Ray Pardo, Bud and Wanda Larsen.   

 

The signup sheet was passed around and various announcements discussed.  The date of Saturday, April 14th, 5:00PM is scheduled for a very special event, the MANCHESTER RURAL RALLY,  a town meeting to bring everyone together to exchange ideas on working together to maintain our VILLAGE CHARACTER & CHARM.  Mark your calendar and plan to be there.  It is time for all of us to work together for the good of the entire community.   You will be receiving additional information on this event in advance of the scheduled date.    All active Manchester groups, and other interested party's are welcome to participate in this endeavor.

 

We will be making contact again with Sheriff Steve Boyer, Community Resources Officer-Pete Ball, and Corporal Bob Millard KNAT, asking for their attendance at upcoming meetings of this group.  It is time to update activity and goals and this cannot be done without direct contact with these important officials.

 

Kitsap County Assessor, Jim Avery will return from vacation sometime this week.  We will ask him to join us next week, or as soon as possible to discuss what impact is projected for Kitsap County from the completion of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge.     We feel this is an important issue that not much has been heard about so far.    While traffic impact is a key point, there is also the consideration of additional residential and business growth throughout Kitsap.  We will keep you advised.

 

We have had a request from Kitsap Sun reporter Chris Henry to be advised of our meetings and interests.   We have added his name to our mailing list, and will ask him to attend a Tuesday morning meeting as soon as possible to tell of us of his background, and how we might all work together in the best interests of Manchester as a whole.    We have enjoyed excellent media assistance from both the Kitsap Sun and the Port Orchard Independent over the years and wish to continue this relationship.

 

The majority of today's meeting was spent reviewing the MANCHESTER COMMUNITY PLAN REVISIONS 2007, segment on TRANSPORTATION.  We have studied the original 2002 plan and noted topics that may need to be revised, due to changes in plans, already completed, etc.  While we have compiled information as a pilot study on this, we are only a small part of the overall committee.  Transportation Planner, Jim Rogers, has asked for input from everyone interested in the portion that deal with Transportation for the 2007 plan.  The group will be meeting very shortly.  Ray Pardo has been a great help with some of the technical preparation of a draft that  will be submitted to Rogers early this week.   This draft will be submitted to members of the Transportation segment of the plan in advance of their next meeting, in order to study and make additions and/or deletions to the draft.    Some of the main issues are:

  • Village Character of Manchester
  • Emphasizing Pedestrian Walkways & Parking
  • Discouraging Through Traffic & Noisy Traffic
  • Existing  Infrastructure & Services
  • Policies, Goal, Revisions,etc.
  • Design Guidelines & Related Topics
  • Adequate Signage
  • Bus Stops Criteria

 

Several additions to the draft were discussed, keeping in mind that any and all changes made are required to stay within the LAMRID guidelines.  It was felt to be very important to have a formal declaration on how to go about getting additional projects into the plan.  What process or mechanism needs to be developed to give the plan additional strength, or teeth if you will.  We feel it is important that the County Commissioner appoint an advisory Board to monitor the County Plan along with the Manchester Community Plan.

 

Another topic to include is the United States Post Office concept of separate entry and exit lanes and a drive by drop box on Colchester.  The postal authorities have been advised of Community interest in this addition, as have the owners of the property that the Post Office sits on. We also will be contacting Kitsap County Public Works.  This is not a new concept, it was mentioned in the original 2002 though nothing was ever done about it.  This is a safety issue that definitely needs to be addressed and resolved.

 

Dates To Remember:    

 

April 9th, Monday, Port of Manchester Commissioners Meeting 7:00PM Manchester Library

                                            

April 14th, Saturday, MANCHESTER RURAL RALLY 5:00PM DOWNTOWN MANCHESTER

                                            

April 19th, Thursday, 1st Meeting of the Manchester Community Foundation Trustees, Manchester Library (time to be announced)Deputy

                                            

April 21, Saturday, Annual Friends of the Library Plant & Book Sale 9:00AM to 3:00PM

 

Deputy Chief Dan Olson, of Kitsap Fire & Rescue will join us next week to discuss safety issues.

 

Submitted:       Wanda Larsen