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City News Bytes: Planning Commish to Review Low Income Housing Project, City Earns Highest Ranking from Moody’s, Comp Plan and Subarea Plan Still in Review Stage

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The City’s much talked about Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) project, slated for the site of the former Police Station at 625 Winslow Way, just north of the Ferry Terminal, will be discussed at a Planning Commission meeting tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 280 Madison Ave. N.

Upcoming Meeting Details: 

  • When: Wednesday, September 11, at the Planning Commission Meeting
  • What: A public participation meeting on the 625 Winslow Way project.
  • Who: Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) will present massing studies at two scales:
  • The original 90-unit design
  • A new 70-unit alternative requested by City Council. You can Zoom into the meeting: ZOOM WEBINAR HTTPS://BAINBRIDGEWA.ZOOM.US/J/86561143070 OR TELEPHONE: US: +1 253 205 0468 WEBINAR ID: 865 6114 3070.
Site on corner of Winslow Way and 305

LIHI will also share potential code amendments to allow a modest increase in Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for 100% affordable housing projects, as previously directed by the City Council. A public hearing on this proposal will follow.

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What’s Being Considered

At this stage, according to city officials, only massing studies are available. These are preliminary exercises that explore a building’s overall shape, size, and relationship to its surroundings—not finalized architectural designs.

Design ideas under discussion include:

  • A “jewel box” ground-floor corner with potential for retail, restaurants, galleries, or community-serving businesses
  • Pocket parks, public gathering spaces, art, and seating along the triangular site edges
  • Integration of trees, viewpoints, and design elements to ensure the project becomes a welcoming community asset
Artist’s rendering of site

Further public participation meetings on design will be scheduled. No designs have been finalized.

The Need and Other Locations:

  • Bainbridge ranks in the bottom 3% nationally for affordable housing availability (National Community Survey).
  • 79% of surveyed island workers live elsewhere but would move here if they could afford it. (Source: Housing Action Plan)
  • Only 3% of Bainbridge’s 11,000 housing units are affordable or income restricted.
  • Other city-owned locations considered, the Suzuki property (southeast corner of New Brooklyn and Sportsman Club roads)
  • At the City Council Business Meeting on August 27, 2019, the Council approved moving forward with a site plan for the property that included 100 total housing units: 39 for sale units, 60 rental units, and 1 manager unit. Of these, 70 units were planned as single family units and 30 (within the rental units) were planned as accessory dwelling units.
  • The Suzuki project was later removed as a City Council priority in June 2020 and subsequently abandoned.

What’s Next

  • LIHI is working on development plans with Council direction and securing financing.
  • City Council is looking to the Planning Commission to make a recommendation on this project and the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Winslow Subarea Plan.
  • Project timeline, FAQs, and background are available here: bainbridgewa.gov/625winslowway

Background (Full-Time Line can be found HERE)

  • November 8, 2022: Council presented with a site analysis of 625 Winslow Way. Council authorized moving forward to develop site with Council direction.
  • June 27, 2023: Council approved Housing Action Plan outlining ways to meet affordable housing needs.
  • December 2024: Comprehensive Plan update due to the state (per Growth Management Act)
  • Community Listening Sessions begin in February 2024 and continue
  • Mid-2025 goal: Adoption of Comprehensive Plan and Winslow Subarea Plan (still pending as today)

Affordable Housing Project at 625 Winslow Way E | Bainbridge Island, WA – Official Website

 

City Achieves Highest Rating from Moody’s Investment Service

Watercolor piggy bank illustration. Money concept. Illustration for design, print or background.

The City announced that Moody’s Investors Service has assigned the City its highest possible issuer rating of Aaa. Bainbridge Island is one of only seven cities in Washington State to hold this distinction.

This rating is a strong affirmation of the City’s robust financial position and the prudent fiscal management of its elected officials and professional staff. As of fiscal year 2024:

  • The City’s available operating fund balance stood at 92.8% of revenue
  • Liquidity measured at 120% of revenue

Both levels are well above the national median for similarly rated peers.

Moody’s also noted the City’s adoption of a balanced biennial budget for 2025–2026. With experienced leadership and sound policies, the City is expected to maintain reserves far above its formal policy target of 25% of revenue—ensuring flexibility to meet future expenditure pressures.

Why this matters for Bainbridge Island:

  • Lower borrowing costs: An Aaa rating ensures the City can access loans and bonds at the most favorable interest rates, saving taxpayers money.
  • Strong investor confidence: It signals to investors that Bainbridge Island is a safe, attractive place to invest.
  • Long-term stability: It reflects confidence in the City’s ability to sustain essential services, invest in critical infrastructure, and weather future financial challenges. For more information: Ratings.Moodys.com/ratings-news/449710

City Still Working on Updates for Comp and Winslow Subarea Plans

The Planning Commission held two marathon meetings recently to make up ground on the overdue Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and the Winslow Subarea Plan Update.

On Wednesday, September 3, the Commission and City staff worked from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. on recommendations for zoning districts, housing types, and development standards in the Winslow Subarea. The discussion continued during a follow-up session on Thursday evening. Videos of Planning Commission meetings are available on the City’s website under Agendas and Minutes.

To help address delays, the City has contracted with Joe Tovar, a respected planning consultant who has worked with Bainbridge Island before. His limited-term contract runs through Nov. 1.

 

Information, pictures and graphics gleaned from City of Bainbridge sources. 

If you’d like to read more articles from The Island Wanderer Blog website, click here, to subscribe to The Island Wanderer Blog, click here.

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