REVIEW BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
DOWN ON THE FARM: Beloved children’s tale comes to the stage. A14
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012 | Vol. 112, No. 34 | WWW.BAINBRIDGEREVIEW.COM | 75¢
Grows
THERE
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Green community coming to life near downtown BY HENRI GENDREAU Bainbridge Island Review
Something is growing in Winslow. Grow Community — one Henri Gendreau / Bainbridge Island Review of a few green communities The development will boast a in the United States — is car and bike share program to sprouting at the corner of allow for easy transportation. Wyatt Way and Grow Avenue. Developers plan to add additionSo far, three homes are Jonathan Davis photo al vehicles to the one Nissan Leaf open to the public as models of the additional single-family The three single-family homes, located at Grow Avenue and and two bikes that are already Wyatt Way, have opened to the public and are available for in use. dwellings to come in what tours. will be a 131-residential unit complex when complete. Grow Community is the first residential community in the country endorsed by One Planet Living, a model outlined by BioRegional to make “sustainable living easy and affordable for all,” according to its website. The idea is to create a way of life where resources from one planet are enough for the world — rather than the estimated five planets necessary, if every person on the planet used resources as Americans do. Leading the development team at Asani, the Bainbridge development company spearheading the project, is Marja Preston, senior director of development for Grow Henri Gendreau / Bainbridge Island Review Community. Architect Jonathan Davis, senior director of development Marja Preston and head of social She said the goal of the development is to create “an outreach Sam Rexford gather in front of one of the Grow Community dwellings. intentional urban community that enhances the quality of life of its residents by making apartments and townhouses. “One of the main ideas made in Washington state sustainable lifestyle choices Construction is expected provide all of the power in the here is to create a five-minute both accessible and costto begin in the fall for the first lifestyle,” said Sam Rexford, complex, including charging effective.” 3-acre phases that will include the Nissan Leaf, an all-electric head of social outreach for One of the main aspects of 25 buildings. Developers the Grow Community, meancar, which residents will be the development is net-zero estimate that this first phase ing that those living there able to share. Although only energy homes, meaning that will take about one year, with would only have about a fiveone is in use, developers are the solar panels covering planning on getting five more. minute walk to shops, grocer- the entire project completed the roofs will provide all the anywhere from three to five ies and the ferry. Bikes are also part of the energy needs of the houses. years. Although now in its sharing program for easy And it’s hard to envision Local architect Jonathan initial phase, the 8-acre transportation, and developa community more commitDavis of Davis Studio development site will eventuers pointed out that residents ted to reducing the planet’s ally include 50 single-family wouldn’t have to go far for carbon footprint: Solar panels SEE GROW, A13 homes or duplexes and 81 basic needs.
Police chief investigation nears its end COST TOTALS $18K SO FAR BY BRIAN KELLY Bainbridge Island Review
The cost for the investigation into alleged misdeeds by Bainbridge Island Police Chief Jon Fehlman is nearing $18,000, according to billing invoices submitted to the city by the special investigator hired to conduct the probe. The city launched the investigation in June following a vote of “no confidence” in the chief by the Bainbridge Island Police Guild. Officials with the police union blasted Fehlman for a lack of leadership and poor morale in the department, but also
claimed he had violated police department and city policies and state and federal laws. Interim City Manager Morgan Smith hired Seattle lawyer and workplace investigator Rebecca Dean to examine the guild’s allegations. Smith said this week that the investigation was nearing its end. “I think she’s in the process of wrapping up,” Smith said of Dean. “She has completed all of her one-on-one interviews and is assembling her report,” Smith added. SEE CHIEF, A12
Bainbridge council OKs transportation district BY RICHARD D. OXLEY Bainbridge Island Review
The Bainbridge Island City Council approved the formation of a transportation benefit district Wednesday, a first step on the path to eventually adopt a car tab fee that will help pay for road projects on the island. The vote was unanimous. Despite the arrival of “Vote No! No New Taxes$$” signs in several spots around the island, the public hearing before the vote did not draw much of a crowd. Three islanders spoke out; one was enthusiastic about the car fee while the other two, who were
car collectors, weren’t. “I don’t agree with the $20 car tab thing,” said David Monsaas, who said he owned a range of collectable cars, trailers and a motorcycle. All the vehicles would add up to a hefty sum of vehicle excise taxes, he said. “Even with the collectable cars, I get maybe 1,500 miles a year driving them on the street,” he said. “I don’t mind paying 20 bucks, but not for every vehicle. The $20 fee on everything is totally unfair for a person like me.” After the short hearing, the council approved SEE DISTRICT, A12