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Public commenters update commissioners on BCAT activity and raise housing and regional‑planning concerns
Summary
During general public comment, Bremerton Kitsap Access Television reported 2024 programming and open‑house plans; a resident raised concerns about vacant Section 8 homes near the fairgrounds; another commenter criticized the Puget Sound Regional Council and urged inclusion of GMA goal 6 in future updates.
Speakers during the public‑comment portion of the meeting provided a BCAT service update and raised local housing and regional‑planning concerns.
Colleen Micco, manager of Bremerton Kitsap Access Television (BCAT), told commissioners that BCAT provided live coverage for county meetings and other agencies in 2024. Micco said BCAT recorded and aired 242 meetings in 2024, including 97 for Kitsap County; government meetings accounted for 53% of BCAT’s new program airtime. She said community producers submitted 597 programs for airing and that BCAT’s in‑house original programming accounted for 8% of new content. Micco invited commissioners and the public to a BCAT open house on Feb. 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
A second commenter, Linda Pop, spoke on behalf of a friend who had written the board about concerns near the fairgrounds in the Tabardas area. Pop relayed that the friend was worried about vacant Section 8 homes, possible mold inside occupied units, garbage and burnable materials around buildings, and the safety risk posed by empty structures; Pop said she did not know how many homes were vacant. The board noted that commissioners serve on the Kitsap Housing Authority board and said they would bring the concern to the housing authority and noted opportunities for public comment at upcoming Housing Kitsap meetings.
A third commenter, Michael Symansky, criticized the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) and its influence over local planning. Symansky described PSRC as a nongovernmental organization that he said had incorporated regional planning goals he associated with the United Nations. He asked that the county include Goal 6 of the Growth Management Act (GMA) in future development‑plan updates to “protect the rights of property owners,” per his remarks. Commissioners thanked the speakers and noted follow‑up avenues.
Why it matters: BCAT provides public meeting coverage and community programming that increase local transparency. Housing‑condition reports and concerns about vacant subsidized units were referred to the Kitsap Housing Authority for follow up; claims about regional‑planning influence were presented as public comment and not adopted as county policy.
