Poulsbo hearing examiner takes public testimony on Sandstone Ridge PRD; dispute centers on Knoll Road frontage and pedestrian route through stream buffer

Hearing Examiner Gary McLean opened an open-record hearing on the Sandstone Ridge planned residential development and preliminary plat application for the City of Poulsbo, saying, "This is called the Sandstone Ridge planned residential development and preliminary plat application." The hearing took public testimony, received new exhibits and left the record open for written responses.

City senior planner Edie Burghoff told the examiner that the staff report found the proposal consistent with Poulsbo code and the comprehensive plan, and recommended approval with conditions. "As conditioned, the project is consistent with and meets the city's requirements," Burghoff said. The Planning Commission had earlier recommended approval to the hearing examiner.

The most contested items at the hearing were (1) a five-foot paved pedestrian connection the city asks be routed from the northeast corner of the site to an existing crosswalk on Knoll Road, and (2) required frontage improvements (curb, gutter and sidewalk) on the north-south segment of Knoll Road that abuts the project.

Craig Steepe…