Commentary: Planned growth is biggest issue facing Gig Harbor

Last Thursday night the Gig Harbor Planning Commission had an open hearing for public comment. Many citizens spoke against the rampant growth and the latest zoning changes.

Builders present spoke in favor, but the majority of all in attendance agreed that there is a need to address the city’s infrastructure.

The planning commission was accepting feedback about the rezoning of land parcels throughout the city to accommodate high density housing, including some plots of land situated in the historic downtown area. Small homes, built close together, would be required to provide parking for only one car. Since there are very few single-car households, will a second car be parked on the street? What about any visitors that arrive by car and park on those same streets? Will the streets be wide enough to allow emergency vehicles to pass around these parked cars? The biggest question, however, is at what point will our city’s infrastructure be unable to handle the continued growth?

If you haven’t driven up Peacock Hill toward Costco, you’re in for a shock. It looks like the area was hit by a tornado that took down a forest in preparation for a large spreading metropolis. Apparently years ago, when these developments were discussed, city planners were unable to envision the resulting increase in traffic. An extra road leading to Costco and a neighborhood exit onto Peacock Hill will do little to solve the Burnham Drive traffic flow and the unsafe roundabout crossings after those developments are completed.

The area along Judson Street, where the post office is currently located, is another planned development. Apartments or condominiums with shops, restaurants and the Seven Seas Brewery will take the place of the parking lot and existing structures. Although still in the planning stages, this development has the potential to create huge parking issues downtown, where parking is already in short supply. The city can require that any apartments or condos that are built in this development provide parking for residents with multiple cars along with additional parking for shoppers and restaurant goers. As we know, downtown street parking is in short supply. If there is no where to park downtown and visitors decide to go elsewhere shop or dine, how is that revitalizing the waterfront? The trolley, while an enjoyable attraction to the harbor, is not always practical or available.

Schools that are already overcrowded, with large class sizes and numerous portable classrooms are continuing to enroll new students. I moved from a community where portable classrooms were a temporary solution but here they seem to be a permanent fix. Knowing how difficult it will be to pass a new school(s) referendum, can’t we at least think of Gig Harbor’s children and put a moratorium on new growth? Or at the very least require developers pay a very sizable financial contribution that will go directly to the school district for new construction?

From outside observer, the planning goal for Gig Harbor seems to be to “develop any available piece of land with as many homes as can fit on it.” The most obvious benefactors of this type of growth are the owners of the properties and the developers. How is it that they are being represented so well by the planning commission, the mayor, and our city council?

I know some of our council members were not around when many of the current developments were being planned, but they do represent us now and they have an obligation to look ahead and plan for what is right for our community.

Runaway growth is scraping away at the character that has made Gig Harbor a special place to live, play and work.

It may too late to stop the development that is in progress but we can look ahead and make better plans for the future. Our city may not be equipped to solve the state Route 16 traffic issues but they can try to better anticipate and plan for traffic within the city. Smaller, more affordable homes can help diversify our city, but we can have the infrastructure in place first.

Gig Harbor citizens have been echoing these same concerns at meetings, in letters to the editor, and in letters to elected representatives. In response we have been told that we have our information incorrect or that an activist has us “riled up.” My response to that is that anyone can drive through the uptown area, or Gig Harbor north, or drive along Harbor View Drive around 5 p.m. and see what is happening in this community — but plan your trip according to the time of day or you’ll likely be sitting in a traffic jam.

This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 3:35 PM with the headline "Commentary: Planned growth is biggest issue facing Gig Harbor."