Shoreline Master Program

The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) establishes goals, policies and regulations for the shoreline jurisdiction of Bainbridge Island. The current SMP became effective in July 2014 after a comprehensive update process. The SMP is available in two versions:

• BIMC 16.12 (Regulations Only) (PDF)
• Complete Official Version Ordinance 2014-04 Including Goals, Policies and Regulations) (PDF)

Official shoreline designations are mapped (PDF).

SMP Amendment

*UPDATED and Re-Noticed 2018 City of Bainbridge Island proposed Shoreline Master Program Amendment Joint Local-State Public Comment Period and Hearing*

The City has recently modified its proposed SMP amendment to include changes to the nonconforming provisions and definitions. This re-noticed extended comment period is intended to receive input on all the proposed changes, including:

Section 4.1.5, Critical Areas

Section 4.2.1, Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Lots

Section 8.0, Definitions

The City has prepared draft amendments to update the critical areas provisions of their Shoreline Master Program, following the recent adoption of their updated Critical Areas Ordinance. The stated purpose of this amendment is to eliminate confusion and improve implementation effectiveness by removing unnecessary differences between the City’s updated critical areas ordinance and the critical areas protections within the SMP. The City has recently modified its proposed SMP amendment to also include changes to the nonconforming provisions (Section 4.2.1) and definitions (Section 8.0). This re-noticed extended comment period is intended to receive input on all the proposed changes.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the Draft SMP Amendment on Tuesday, September 11, 2018. Check the City’s website for more information:

https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/1101/City-Council-Agendas

City of Bainbridge Island (City) Shoreline Master Program Amendment Joint Local-State Public Comment Period – September 10^th to October 10^th, 2018 at 5 p.m. A Joint Local-State Public Hearing will be held at the City Council Meeting on September 11^th 2018.

The City has prepared draft amendments to update the critical areas provisions of their Shoreline Master Program, following the recent adoption of their updated Critical Areas Ordinance. The stated purpose of this amendment is to eliminate confusion and improve implementation effectiveness by removing unnecessary differences between the City’s updated critical areas ordinance and the critical areas protections within the SMP. The City has recently modified its proposed SMP amendment to also include changes to the nonconforming provisions (Section 4.2.1) and definitions (Section 8.0). This re-noticed extended comment period is intended to receive input on all the proposed changes.

The draft SMP materials are available for in-person review at the following location:

City of Bainbridge Island
Department of Planning and Community Development
280 Madison Ave. N.
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

The City and Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) are seeking comments on the City’s proposed amendments to its Shoreline Master Program (SMP) using the optional joint review process under WAC 173-26-104 . The joint local-state public comment period will run from September 10^th through October 10^th 2018, at 5pm. In addition, a joint local-state public hearing for the amendment will be held September 11^th, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. as part of the City Council Meeting.

At the conclusion of the comment period, the City will prepare a response to comments and determine if changes are needed. Public comments and the City responses will be shared with Ecology. After the City makes any final amendments to the SMP it will send them to Ecology for review. After local adoption, the SMP amendment will be formally submitted to us for final decision per WAC 173-26-104 and WAC 173-26-110. No additional comment period will occur during the state review process. This may be your only opportunity to comment on this proposed SMP amendment.

Background information and draft documents

SMP Draft Amendments – September 11, 2018 Public Hearing Draft (Entire SMP**)

**The majority of changes are located in Section 4.1.5, Critical Areas; 4.2.1, Nonconforming Uses, Nonconforming Structures, and Nonconforming Lots; and 8.0, Definitions. Please see Reader’s Guide on the first page of the draft amendment.

Existing Section 4.2.1 – Provided for background. A strikethrough underline version will be available on September 10, 2018.

Nonconforming Structures Summary Table – Summarizes proposed allowed actions for different types of nonconforming structures.

All interested parties are invited to provide comment about the proposed amendment. There are several ways to provide comments. You only need to submit your comments once.

Submit written comments and questions to:

City of Bainbridge Island
Department of Planning and Community Development
280 Madison Ave N
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Staff Contact: Senior City Planner Christy Carr
Email: pcd@bainbridgewa.gov
Phone: 206.780.3719

Additional amendments to the City's Shoreline Master Program are currently under review by the City's Planning Commission. Regularly scheduled Planning Commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at City Hall.

Public comment is accepted at each meeting. You may stay up to date on the amendment the following ways:

• Check Planning Commission agendas for meeting dates and times.
• Sign up for e-mail notifications.

Background information, draft documents and meeting summaries will be posted regularly on this page.

April 12, 2018

• Meeting Summary (PDF)

Background Documents

• Nonconforming Structures Table (PDF) - Proposed allowed actions related to different types of nonconforming structures.
• Proposed Revised SMP Section 4.2.1 (PDF) - Proposed revisions under consideration.
• Existing SMP Section 4.2.1 (PDF)

February 8, 2018 Meeting

• Meeting Summary (PDF)

Background Documents

• Excerpts from Existing SMP (PDF) - Existing Development Policy and Regulations
• Existing Development Comparison Table (PDF) - SMP, Critical Areas Ordinance and Zoning
• Staff Memo (PDF)

January 25, 2018 Meeting

• Meeting Summary (PDF)

Background Documents

• Draft Work Plan (PDF)
• Staff Memo with guiding themes (PDF)

January 11, 2018 Meeting

• Meeting Summary (PDF)

Background Documents

• Draft Work Plan (PDF)
• SMP Handbook - Chapter 14, Legally Existing Uses and Development (PDF)
• Staff Memo with guiding themes (PDF)
• WAC 173-27-080 - Nonconforming Uses and Development Standards (PDF)

Aquaculture Limited Amendment 

The City of Bainbridge Island adopted the proposed limited amendment on October 11, 2016.  The City is currently coordinating with the Department of Ecology on next steps for the limited amendment.

• Exhibit 1 (PDF)
• Exhibit 2 (PDF)
• Exhibit 3 (PDF)
• Ordinance 2016-06 (PDF)

As part of the requirements for processing a limited amendment, the City prepared a submittal package that was transmitted to the Department of Ecology for review on February 17, 2017. Ecology held a public comment period ending June 9, 2017. The City has until January 2, 2018 to respond to comments. Ecology will then make a decision on the City's limited amendment. Pending Ecology approval, the existing aquaculture policies and regulations remain in effect.

• Ecology Comment Matrix (PDF)
• Submittal Package to the Department of Ecology (PDF) (180MB)

Other Shoreline Master Program Information

• Regulatory Guidance Memos (PDF)
• Shoreline Master Plan FAQ's (PDF)

If you have questions or comments regarding this project please contact Senior City Planner Christy Carr at 206-780-3719 or email.