City News Bytes: Bethany On Tap, E-Bike Survey, Traffic Changes, Drug Take Back Day!

Kevin Dwyer | Posted on October 25, 2022 |

City Council to Vote on Affordable Housing Tonight

The Bainbridge Island City Council is planning to vote Tuesday evening October 25th on the somewhat controversial affordable housing density bonus plan for Bethany Lutheran Church property.

The Council took in nearly two hours of community input at its Oct. 11 City Council meeting, which featured a public hearing for the proposed Bethany Lutheran’s pilot project (Ordinance 2022-02).

If passed, the housing density bonus would allow up 23 to 24 affordable housing units at the church’s location. The move is part of a pilot plan for the city that could lead to more comprehensive policy changes across the island. Tuesday’s Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Watch the 10/11 public hearing here

You can read more about this issue in a previous post: Affordable Housing on Bainbridge? City to Weigh in on Bethany Project | THE ISLAND WANDERER

City Seeks Input for Possibly Regulating E-bikesElectric assist bicycles, or E-bikes, are becoming increasingly popular on Bainbridge Island, not only among commuters, but also regular road and trail riders, as well as tourists. The City Council is now considering additional regulations for e-bike usage on the island, and would like to hear your thoughts.

Whether you are an e-bike user or not, “we all share the roads and trails, so all are welcome to take the survey,” a city press release notes.

The survey runs until the end of the month. You can take the survey HERE.

More Traffic Changes Ahead on Murden Creek/305 Repair Project

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has been diligently working on a creek repair project on Highway 305, near Sportsman’s Club Road since about mid-summer. It’s created some angst among commuters and local drivers, and now more changes are underway.

On or about the morning of Thursday Oct. 27, drivers, bikers and walkers will notice temporary changes to the road at Murden Creek/Highway 305. WSDOT Crews will create a new work zone. The work zone will be located between the northbound and southbound lanes.

The change will allow WSDOT workers to continue building a temporary two-lane bypass road. The bypass road will keep people moving as crews replace a culvert with a new bridge.

The speed limit remains reduced to 35 mph. There are no shoulders in the work zone. Bicyclists can ride with traffic or use the detour route.

In addition, travelers this week can expect:

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekday – occasional short duration slowdowns while trucks enter and leave the work zone.
From 8 p.m. Tues-Thurs., Oct. 25-27 to 6 a.m. each following day, travelers can expect one-way alternating traffic.

The work is part of a fish barrier removal project at Murden Creek. WSDOT provides email updates about roadwork on state highways in Kitsap County. Real-time traffic information is available on the WSDOT Travel Center Map and WSDOT app.

Local Cops will Collect Spent Prescription Drugs at Farmers Market this Saturday

Be sure to check your medicine cabinet because now you have a chance to get rid of any expired prescription on non-prescription medicines. This coming Saturday, Oct. 29, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. And, the Bainbridge Island Police Department will be on hand at the Farmer’s Market in Town Square from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect your unused, unneeded, or expired prescription and nonprescription medicines.

According to city officials, proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment. Improper disposal of prescription medications can lead to accidental poisoning, misuse, or overdose. Twice each year, the Drug Enforcement Administration sponsors Drug Take Back Day to provide a safe, convenient, and environmentally responsible means of disposing unwanted medicines. At the last event in April, more than 9,000 pounds of unwanted medicines were collected in Washington State alone!

Stop by and visit on Oct. 29 even if you don’t have anything to drop off. The Police Chief Joe Clark and other members of the department will be there to answer your questions and share information from the department.

Images provided by COBI

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