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Planning commission backs new "park" zoning, asks staff to draft nuanced standards
Summary
Bainbridge Island Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 8, 2026 to recommend creating a new park zone to reclassify public parks, and asked staff to draft implementing regulations that include multiple park classifications and appropriate development standards.
The Bainbridge Island Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 8 to recommend adding a new “park” zoning classification to the comprehensive plan and asked city staff to draft implementing development regulations.
Senior planner Jennifer Sutton told commissioners the proposed park zone would rezone most public parks now in residential zones to a single park designation to streamline permitting and reflect park-district requests. Sutton said the change is intended to tailor permit processes and standards to park uses rather than treating parks under residential code sections.
The commission’s vote followed extensive discussion about whether the change should be a stand‑alone zone or an overlay, whether it should apply only to Bainbridge Island Park District and city parks or also to land‑trust properties, and how to protect sensitive areas. Commissioner Sarah (chair) said she supports safeguards such as setbacks and protections for historic resources; Commissioner Alex and others urged different standards for urban waterfront parks versus rural, passive recreation sites.
Ariel moved the recommendation; it was seconded and passed unanimously. After that vote the commission also approved a separate motion asking staff to include at least two park classifications (for example, urban/active and rural/passive) in the implementing regulations, and to return with draft standards addressing stormwater, buffers, allowable building forms and when conditional review would be required.
Commissioners said the park district should be closely involved in drafting the code language, and asked staff to check with the land trust about trail‑management concerns. Jennifer Sutton said staff would fold the park‑zone code changes into the upcoming development‑standards update for review by the commission.
The commission's action directs staff to prepare regulatory language and standards for further review; it does not itself change the zoning map or code.
