7-22-08 MCP&PSG WEEKLY TUESDAY COFFEE & DISCUSSION MEETING 6:45AM, MANCHESTER FAMILY INN

Attending this mornings meeting were Ron Rada, Joe Blazevich, Sr., Mary Cathern and Bob Edwards, Bud and Wanda Larsen, Richard Dilworth, and Peggy Warren.     Two Kitsap County Sheriff's Office news releases were studied.     One was in regards to the drowning of a 6 year old boy at Horseshoe Lake in South Kitsap.  The other report was on one person being airlifted to Harborview Medical Center following an early morning motor vehicle collision.  These excellent reports with factual information are extremely helpful.

Bud reported on the 7-17-08 5:30PM monthly meeting of the Port of Manchester Advisory Committee.   A highlight of the meeting was a tour of The Anchors Condominium perimeter and Port of Manchester Library Parking lot boundary lines.   David Hopkins and partner Dawn Vogel conducted the tour explaining the swale between the two property's, this is a permanent part of the landscape in accordance with local and County rulings for stormwater diversion to the proper areas.   Parking issues were looked at and they will be looking in to a bollard arrangement for the east side of the parking lot where the two property's join, this would prevent boat trailers from backing in too close to the buildings and would follow the nautical theme.    Landscaping already in place and future landscaping in the works, were discussed.  Exterior lighting was a topic of interest to maintain lower level lighting poles, with adequate lighting for safety purposes.   The Anchors is planning for attractive black decorative metal poles approximately 12' high.     The homeowners association at The Anchors is interested in working with the Port Commissioners and the Friends of The Library to assume responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the adjoining garden areas and the swale area/  This would include water, electricity, lighting, etc.    In general it was felt this type of arrangement could be a neighborhood benefit for everyone.  Further study and review will take place before any action is taken.

The manager of the Inn brought us up to date on the current status of the Colchester Commons building site.    Approval to move forward has been given to the owners, by the Superior Court  that states it would be unconstitutional to change rulings that have already been approved for the project.    We have no further information on this project at this time.

There will be a hearing at 6:30PM tonight 7-22-08, at the County Commissioners building as regards the Perry Site zoning change proposal.     Everyone is urged to make every effort to be in attendance.   The notice of application, Planning File #08-52165 is in effect a proposal to double the potential number of residences on land that currently has a perfectly legal and acceptable zoning, Manchester Village Low Residence.  Concern has been expressed that the problem with process is that the request is not supported by any proposal as to how or where the future residences would be located, how access will be provided to the new homes, nor any indication of whether any of the land will be set aside for park, pathway, or environmental purposes.    There has been considerable question as to why such a zoning change could even be considered.  The land in question is currently zoned MVLR, and until there is a more detailed plan submitted, other than a barely readable map, it has been requested that the current zoning be retained.   Please plan to attend this important meeting.

Wednesday, 7-23-08 7:00PM is scheduled for the monthly meeting of the Friends Of The Library.    These hard working members of the Community are always there when it comes to Community effort.     Carol Campbell and Norma Brady have agreed to take a look at the bare slope between the North and South piers of the Port Boat Launch parking lot to determine what native plants might work to beautify the area.    The library will be expanding a wall in the Library very soon and there will be plants available that might be used.  

We are looking in to a Japanese Knotweed bush located at the boat launch, to determine how best to get rid of it.   This is a noxious weed with a serious growth pattern similar to that of the wild blackberry's, but a very serious root problem that can reproduce even from a piece of the vegetation touching the ground.   We have asked for additional information from the local and State Noxious Weed Agency for removal of the growth.     We have been cautioned to not touch it until we have explicit direction from the agency.    

Joe Blazevich, Sr. gave us an update on his work on the findings of the July 12th Port of Manchester User Survey.   Joe noted that the response is very similar to the survey taken on June 1st.      Some suggestions that were made by visitors to the boat launch and to Pomeroy Park included the need for more parking as well as overnight parking.     Could a drinking fountain be installed somewhere on the site?    Some would like to see a place where folks could wash off their feet in the park area after being on the beach.     Fresh water to wash off boats was requested, but runoff, traffic tie-ups, space, cost, etc. would be extremely difficult.    A special area for Kayak's and Canoes was suggested, with a 15 minute load and unload area near the dumpster, we can look in to this concept.     Joe stated that some of the questions were difficult to tabulate and he would like to see changes made on the forms.    Changes included identifying times visits were made to the launch and or Pomeroy Park annually, such as 5-10, 10-20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-80, 80-100.    On the reason for launching, delete the word "both" and use "fishing" or "pleasure".    When discussing the park, use the word Pomeroy along with the word Park.     We have a number of forms to use up, before having more printed, so we will ask our volunteer surveyors to modify questions to make changes. 

Noise in a park on Puget Drive was mentioned, the concern being the park is on private land and children are playing there unsupervised at dusk and after dark, where you cannot see them from the road.     The main concern is the children appear to be coming from other areas without supervision.   They are just playing and having fun, but it is a concern to the neighborhood.     The owner has been contacted.

Larsen's are going on a short vacation, so next week July 30th, member Joyce Rada will conduct the meeting, 6:45AM Manchester Family Inn.

Submitted by:     Wanda Larsen