POULSBO — Walkers, runners and bicyclists rejoiced last Wednesday when, after months of procedure and deliberation, the city was finally able to take an enormous step forward and finally approve permits for the Liberty Bay Waterfront Trail.

As the scenic trail, which will offer a safer pedestrian route from Fjord Drive south to Lemolo Shore Drive, attracts many to roads along the bay, the shoreline permit public hearing brought droves of locals to city hall with questions and comments about the project.

The vast majority of the Poulsbo and Kitsap County residents who packed into the council chambers spoke in favor of expanding the road in places, improving handicap access and pedestrian safety. Even so, others, after making it clear that they also supported the plan to expand shoulders along the route, were worried about the increases in foot and bicycle traffic that the path would invite.“I think mom’s a little bit undecided about it,” said Jim Shields, representing himself and his mother, Louise. “People encroach on her property to the beach. This is a safety and security issue.”

Shields’ concerns about future trespassing at the site were echoed by resident Bill Whitford, who pointed out that many visitors treat his land like a park during events like the Poulsbo 3rd of July.

“Who’s going to clean up the garbage after these people?” Whitford asked, noting that he felt the problem was getting progressively worse. “I even had a person try to spend the night there once.”

Hearing this, council directed City Engineer John Stephenson to incorporate special fences for the two homes to keep undesirable elements out of the private yards.

The fencing was just one of the amendments Stephenson added in, others, such as one-waying Fjord Drive from Hostmark to 6th Avenue, will be researched further by the city. Several residents at the session spoke in favor of the change, pointing out that creating the southbound lane off Hostmark would not only lessen traffic through the neighborhood but would also make the trail much safer for pedestrians.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Linda Berry-Maraist said before recounting two close calls she had been involved in while walking along the road. “I think it’s so beautiful it’s distracting.”

Ken Winslow agreed.

“I strongly support it,” he said, adding that he is the owner of the new home next to the Lions Park tennis courts. “The traffic is wild. I have witnessed, as recently as last night, someone almost being hit by a car.”

Other residents also cited near accidents and curb strikes caused by the narrow roadway.

Even so, the route’s width was the reason why council split its vote on the matter. Both council members Jackie Aitchison and Kathryn Quade expressed concerns that motorists would simply drive faster if the road was widened along Fjord and Lemolo Shore Drive, but the majority was in favor of the change and the vote passed 5-2.

“Lessening the width of the lanes just puts cars closer together, which creates another dangerous situation,” Councilman Dale Rudolph said. “It might cause some drivers to slow down but it might cause others to crash.”

Ray Johnson applauded the city plan, pointing out that he and his wife often walked the shoulder route.

“As we get older, exercising is good for you. It’s a terrific walk and I hope you go ahead with it,” Johnson said, adding that the widened path would be a positive change. “It’ll be nice to walk side-by-side with my wife instead of behind her all the time.”

Stephenson said although the shoreline permit was a big one to get out of the way, Poulsbo still has to attain a federal environmental permit before breaking ground on the $300,000 project. A $260,000 federal grant will pay for most of the costs associated with the path with Kitsap County and Poulsbo will split the remaining cost equally.

After spending the past 15 months getting a complete biological assessment from the state and federal agencies though, Stephenson said he was unsure when the project would start.

“I had hoped to start it late this summer,” he explained, noting that while the trail will only take about 20 working days to complete, it may also have to wait until 2003 if the permit is delayed. “If we can’t do it in late August or September… Well, I don’t want to be out there in October praying for dry weather.”