Poulsbo parking changes in store

POULSBO — Port of Poulsbo resident Thomas Mengert feels like a fish in a barrel. As a live-aboard, he thinks he and his neighbors are easy targets for upcoming parking enforcement at Anderson Parkway, a sentiment he shared at Wednesday’s Poulsbo City Council meeting.

Mengert’s ire was raised because there is not ample parking provided for liveaboards at the port, he said. This forces live-aboards to park elsewhere, including along Anderson Parkway, which is technically reserved for three-hour parking. Come Monday, the three-hour limit will be enforced.

“The proposed changes will make literally every weekend, all summer long… mini Viking Fests,” Mengert said.

Parking downtown is restricted during the festival.

The port is required to allow one parking placard per rented boat slip. Twelve live-aboard residents are leasing space at the port.

There are around 20 designated parking spaces for Port of Poulsbo users, which includes day use. Adding to the mix, downtown is a popular tourist stop during the summer months.

Mayor Becky Erickson said the three-hour time limit is being enforced to keep visitors circulating through the downtown businesses.

The City Council will hold a workshop with Port of Poulsbo commissioners during the council’s May 19 meeting.

The council on Wednesday night also hired Karla Boughton as a land-use consultant. She will be tasked with researching, defining and proposing zoning regulations near the intersection of Finn Hill Road and the Olhava Shopping Center. The zoning might allow residential and light industrial use.

“The zoning has already been established in the comprehensive plan,” Mayor Becky Erickson said. “Now we’re actually going to define it.”

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