Residents urge caution on water, trees and traffic as Knoll Point moves forward

During the Knoll Point hearing, several neighborhood speakers pressed the commission to consider long-term water sustainability and infrastructure strain. Kurt Beatty said local aquifers rely on rainfall, that recharge estimates are uncertain, and urged more study before approving further development: "Fundamental to any plan for growth anywhere is the availability of water and particularly the sustainability of the areas of water sources," Beatty said, adding that recent examples such as Island Lake's decline illustrate local vulnerability. He asked the commission to reconsider the size of Knoll Point in light of those concerns.

Other residents including Joe Martinek and another commenter described worries about tree removal, falling trees during storms, and sidewalk/frontage impacts that would affect school transportation routes. Staff and engineering noted that the city has an adopted water comprehensive plan, is coordinating with the Department of Ecology, and that frontage improvements (curb, sidewalk, gutter, bike lane) will be required and coordinated with Kitsap County under the interlocal agreement. The comments were recorded into the meeting record and will be part of the SEPA/hearing-examiner materials.