Volunteer group will shape Manchester's character

"Manchester residents--and their opinions--are being sought by Kitsap County in order to develop a blueprint for the community’s future growth.The county’s Department of Community Development will host an organizational meeting Nov. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Manchester Library to outline the need for a sub-area plan and to recruit volunteers to serve on the Manchester Community Council.“The idea is to define a vision for the Manchester community,” said the department’s Michelle Pelvit.The county has identified Manchester as a geographic sub-area in the new countywide comprehensive plan, she explained. As such, growth and development in the area is expected to proceed in an orderly fashion. Community councils are being formed in sub-areas like Manchester to help the county manage growth in these areas.The councils will “look at things like making the downtown area more viable, deciding whether sidewalks are needed, and making the community more pedestrian-friendly,” Pelvit said. At a minimum, the sub-area plan meeting will attempt to define the geographic boundaries of the Manchester community. Pelvit said the general guidelines are Mile Hill Drive to the south, Alaska Avenue on the west, the Manchester Fuel Depot to the north and east to Puget Sound.Approximately 2,400 people live in the Manchester community, Pelvit said.Community council members will serve on a volunteer basis and meet about once a month until a sub-area plan is developed, and possibly beyond.Additional information is available from Pelvit at 337-4783."

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