Bremerton Residents
Dear Neighbor,
Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA) has purchased the property at 1231 Sheridan Road (corner of Sheridan and Wheaton Way. They plan to put a low barrier (no background checks) homeless shelter on this property. That is currently allowed in the city Comprehensive Plan for up to 180 days,
but BHA wants to change the zoning language to allow for up to three years with the option to renew. They have not met with nor notified neighbors and are trying to expedite the process before funding
expires in December.
https://www.bremertonwa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/\_06152026-614
Because they have not held any public meeting with the neighborhood, we do not know their exact plans. The current request is framed as an amendment to the Temporary Encampment Permit section. The applicant's pre-submittal conferences describe an emergency walk-up homeless shelter, tiny home village, and panelized emergency shelters. But they have talked about 75 people and growing from there if it is successful. Because they have changed the description of what they plan numerous times, it is difficult to know exactly what they plan. That is what causes us the most concern. Whatever plan they present, if the zoning change is approved, they do not have to stick to the plan. It is their property and they can do whatever's allowed in the Comprehensive Plan.
If this concerns you, there is a Planning Commission Workshop the Norm Dicks Conference Center (City Hall), 345 6* Street, on July 20 at 5:30 pm. BHA will present their plans and allow the public to comment. If you are not comfortable speaking in public but would like your voice to be heard you can
send an email to garrett.jackson@ci.bremerton.wa.us or you can mail your comments to:
Garrett Jackson
City of Bremerton
Community Development
345 6 Street, Suite #100
Bremerton, WA 98337
We encourage you to also email comments to the City Council who makes the final decision once the
Planning Commission completes their process, at city.council@ci.bremerton.wa.us or by mail to:
City Council Office
345 6th St., Suite 100
Bremerton, WA 98337
You may also send a letter to the Editor, Kitsap Sun, PO Box 259, Bremerton, WA 98337.
Letters are limited to 250 words.
The parcel at 1231 Sheridan Road lies within the Harrison Heights Subarea Plan, an adopted component of the Comprehensive Plan created through a robust public process with extensive citizen involvement. The Subarea Plan establishes a clear vision for this neighborhood: stable residential development, walkability, livability, and long-term reinvestment. Any zoning amendment that enables a high-intensity, 24-hour emergency shelter or encampment on this site would directly conflict with
that vision.
https://www.bremertonwa.gov/1144/Harrison-Heights
Sincerely.
Sheridan Community Alliance