October 2007

10/5/07 Newsletter Update:

Planning Commission Approves New Construction Height

The Planning Commission agreed with the proposed Manchester Design standards by setting the height of new construction in the downtown Manchester commercial zone at 2 stories, 28 feet.  A third story for parking can be constructed as long as 80% of the garage is underground.  In addition, the commissioners approved a 20 foot setback to allow for view corridors.

The Manchester Design Standards Committee headed by Carrilu Thompson and Carole Leininger put in countless hours and gave local citizens several opportunities to express their preferences about how they wanted Manchester to look in the future.  Over 55% of the folks who participated in the surveys wanted the height of new construction in the Manchester commercial zone to be 28 feet or less.

In an earlier meeting of the Kitsap County commissioners, Josh Brown stated that the design should not be so narrowly focused on the number of stories that could be built.  However, Commissioner Jan Angel expressed enthusiasm for this recent decision.  The design standards will hopefully be approved  by the Kitsap County Commissioners in October.

Manchester Plan Update on Schedule for Review

According to Katrina Knutsen, Associate Planner in the Department of Community Development, said the Manchester plan is scheduled to be sent to the Planning Commissioners in final draft form by Friday, October 5th.  A copy will be made available to members of the Manchester community at the same time. 

The Planning Commissioners will meet on October 9th to review the plan.  Public input will not be taken at this meeting, but there will be opportunities for public input through November.

The final version of the plan is scheduled to be on the Kitsap County Commissioner’s agenda for their final meeting in December.

October Events at Manchester Library 

October 11 
Book Club reads Devil and the White City    7:00 pm

Wine Tasting Fund Raiser    5:00 – 7:00 pm

Friends of Manchester Library celebrate 60 years of service at the Puget Sound Wine Cellar, 120 Harrison, Port Orchard.  For $15 per person, you can sample a variety of wines along with hors d’oeurves provided by Amy’s on the Bay.  Call 871-3914 for ticket information.

October 13 
Meet the Port of Manchester Candidates
3:00 – 5:00 pm

Ron Rada is holding a personal MEET THE CANDIDATE SESSION  at the Manchester Library  and is hoping to include Port Candidates, Water District Candidates, Fire Commissioners, etc. who would like to come by and meet the voters, have refreshments, talk with and get to know the candidates, for these important positions.  

October 16 
Bookworms read Things Fall Apart   7:00 pm

October 24
Friends of Manchester Library Meeting    7:00 pm

October 25
Gregg Olsen, author of Starvation Heights    7:00 pm

Hear the local author talk about how he wrote a book about an Olalla doctor who murdered her patients.

October 27 
Gentle Halloween   11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Bring your children and stay with them for spooky stories, games, crafts, and treats.  Costumes are welcome.

“Everything Northwest”
a Huge Success

At the Manchester Library on September 13th, northwest sea shanties could be heard along with review of books written by northwest writers.  An enthusiastic crowd munched on typical northwest fare, including scones made by Joan Winslow.

This was a free program presented by the Friends of the Library; but some grateful attendees contributed almost $50 to the Friends of the Manchester Library.  The money will go to support the maintenance and operation of the library.

Thanks to all the library staff and Friends volunteers who continue to bring quality programming to Manchester residents.

Trash Clean-Up Day

September 29th saw another day of street cleaning by a small volunteer group of Manchester residents.  The MCA has been organizing regular street cleaning events for the past couple of years in an attempt to keep our town looking nice.  They sure could use a bit more support from the community on this bi-annual event.  Please watch for the next clean-up day (in the spring) and get out and help your neighbors keep Manchester beautiful.

Kudos to Debby Trudeau for rallying the troops again - and to all the members of the community who came out to help - again! 

 

Manchester Boat Ramp Extended

The extension to the Manchester boat ramp was delayed for a week, but the construction crews finally got out to extend the ramp 20 feet.  This will enable boats to launch when the tides are low and not ruin their trailers in the process.  The project was initiated by the Port of Manchester Commissioners.

A Big Idea Gallery asking for Your Big Ideas

Dr. Paul Nuchims moved from downtown Manchester to downtown Port Orchard when the store fronts were torn down to make way for the condominiums.  He had staged art competitions and taught classes in Manchester and would like to offer similar events at his new location.  Below are some of the ideas he is considering and he would like feedback about what sounds most appealing.   Email him (pnuchims@aol.com) with your ideas for making the south end of Kitsap County a “center of art activity.”

1. Classes
     a. History of Art, the Greeks, the Renaissance, Impressionism, etc. (slides/video).
     b. Figure Drawing.
     c. Painting, Drawing, etc.    
2. Talks on Art such as: 
     The Real Mona Lisa,
     Are Art Competitions Fair?
     Art Media: What are the differences between oil, watercolor, acrylics, egg tempera. photography, computer media, and various permutations between them?
     Inexpensive matting and framing ($15 or less, instead of $150?).
3. Poetry readings, classic films, etc.
4. First or Second Friday Art Walks in downtown Port Orchard and receptions for the artists.