Unmet Needs in North Kitsap

 

 

 

 

     An estimated 200 were in attendance at the Poulsbo presentation; 250 in Kingston.  Jon Rose, Raydient Vice President, began the presentation with the history of Raydient property in North Kitsap, including the more than 5,000 acres the company has transferred to public ownership, for mostly passive use, since it elected to stop growing trees in North Kitsap.  He focused on the number 4.  Four percent of the company property would be set aside to address unmet recreation, health, and housing needs of people in north Kitsap.  Specific needs include childcare, teen programs, health and welfare programs, playing fields for youth in the area, adult recreation spaces, housing solutions for multi-generational families, a central location in North Kitsap, and more.  The location is known to residents these days as the massive scotchbroom bloom, at the intersection of Bond Road and Stottlemeyer.  

     A key component of North Kitsap United is a full-scale YMCA.  Harold Shea, Operations Manager, YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, spoke to the volume of programs the Y makes available in the community.  He said, "the Y is a community."  

 

 

     When he gives tours of the Y, Shea said he often hears the comment, "I had no idea," meaning all the Y has available.  

 

     Rotarian Clint Boxman told about the time seven years ago when Rotary first raised concerns about lack of suitable youth playing fields in North Kitsap.  How the Club began its unsuccessful search for enough land around Kingston to build a sports complex.  How that led to the linkup with Raydient and the Y to spearhead the dream, North Kitsap United. 

 

 

     Rose returned to the stage to explain how a village of clustered homes, all with accessory dwelling units (ADU) designated in property deeds, could be an answer to the costly housing problem facing all north Kitsap residents.  "It's possible, he said, the ADU could be occupied by aging parents, while their kids live in the primary home.  Or, kids who can't afford a home would live in an ADU near their parents.  

 

    A conceptual site plan was presented at each of the meetings to demonstrate the possibilities North Kitsap United contemplates.  

 

 

     Most attendees expressed optimism about the possibilities NKU provides, and the unmet needs it addresses. Raydient owns approximately 400-acres at the site.  It has applied for a rezone of the property, which if approved by county commissioners late in 2026, would make NKU possible.  Attendees were encouraged to "let your commissioners know" in support of the rezone.  Commissioners Christine Rolfes, Katie Walters, and Oran Root, Kitsap County Commissioners Office, 614 Division Street MS-4, Port Orchard, WA98366.