Commission weighs appeals streamlining and whether to codify application requirements

Nicole proposed that Type 3 permit appeals (shoreline appeals) skip an intermediate appeal to city council and instead allow direct appeal to Kitsap County Superior Court to reduce staff legal costs and streamline the process. She told commissioners prior appeals had cost the city roughly $15,000 in outside legal fees and often resulted in council upholding the initial decision quickly; staff argued going straight to Superior Court aligns with the state's streamlining goals.