Council adopts C-2 Viking Avenue infill rules and requires large public-notice signs

The Poulsbo City Council on Sept. 18 adopted Ordinance 24-13, which amends multiple sections of the Poulsbo Municipal Code to create alternative infill and redevelopment standards for the C‑2 Viking Avenue zoning district and to require large, on-site public notice signs for Type 2 and higher permits.

Nicole Coleman, senior planner, told the council the text amendments “pertain just to the C‑2 commercial corridor along Viking Avenue” and that the optional standards — including increased height and lot coverage and reduced setbacks — apply only to projects that include a housing component. Coleman said the proposed public notice signs would be roughly 4 by 4.5 feet, placed on the property at the time of notice of application and updated during review to give neighbors more visible information.

Council members said they appreciated clarifications staff added after earlier questions about height limits and emphasized the package’s goal of providing flexibility to encourage housing while keeping code consistency. Mayor Rebecca Erickson thanked planning staff for pulling disparate code references together and praised outreach that led to the revisions.

The ordinance language references Poulsbo Municipal Code sections amended by the measure and establishes an effective date. No members of the public offered oral comment during the hearing; the mayor closed the hearing after confirming there were no speakers. The motion to adopt was made and seconded during the meeting; the council proceeded with standard post-adoption remarks and recognition of staff.

What happens next: the amendments become effective per the ordinance’s effective-date language and will be implemented through the city’s permit review process overseen by planning staff. Nicole Coleman and planning staff will answer follow-up questions on specifics of the height exceptions and notice signage implementation.