Vision

This vision statement is a work in progress. It will continue to evolve with community input.

Our vision for the future is that our descendents are benefiting from the choices that have been made to purposefully create a livable, sustainable future. Our changes in behaviors, practices, and policies have led to a Bainbridge Island described as follows:

Land/Resources/Ecosystem:

  • Land is productive and used in ecologically sound ways. Natural resources are used wisely.
  • Our community is environmentally beautiful, healthy and resilient. People, plants, and animals thrive in healthy ecosystems.
  • Environmentally sensitive areas are preserved.* Human impacts on local and regional ecosystems are minimal.
  • Public access to the shoreline has increased and the shoreline has been protected from overdevelopment.*
  • Open space, the natural landscape, and the special character of Bainbridge Island are preserved.*

Water:

  • Our water systems provide an adequate supply of pure and clean water.
  • The community is committed to the preservation of water quality and water quantity to support life and natural habitat on Bainbridge Island.*
  • The water resources of Bainbridge Island are preserved, due to rainwater retention in soils instead of runoff being piped to Puget Sound.
  • Home occupations and environmentally-sound businesses are designed to have a minimal impact on groundwater resources.*

Air:

  • Our air is pure and clean. The air is fresh and oxygen-rich because trees and forest lands are abundant.
  • Air quality is maintained through the minimization of the emissions from traffic, businesses and residences.*
  • High air quality standards are maintained through efficient land use patterns and transportation policies.*

Food:

  • Food is healthy, plentiful, and accessible.
  • Our food supply is secure, locally obtained, and affordable, because farmland is preserved and garden food patches are widespread near homes, schools, apartments and restaurants.
  • Agricultural activities are protected and honored as a means of providing locally grown food, enhancing the cultural and economic diversity of the community and preserving open space.*

Health/Medical:

  • Healthy activities are promoted and a variety of recreational facilities are available.
  • An active, healthy lifestyle is the norm as dependency on cars has declined.
  • Primary health care is available, accessible, and affordable on Bainbridge Island, and specialized services are available in Seattle or other nearby communities.
  • Community health services are provided on Bainbridge Island.
  • Elder care is accessible and affordable
  • Public health considerations are an essential part of community planning activities.

Social Sustainability/Diversity:

  • The diversity of the residents of Bainbridge Island is fostered.*
  • Bainbridge enjoys a healthy diversity of heritage, faith, education, income, occupation, gender, age and sexual orientation.
  • Bainbridge Island has remained a place where business people, artists, farmers, and long-time residents live together in a cohesive community.*
  • Residents have a variety of housing choices.*
  • People with diverse incomes, backgrounds and occupations/professions can all find a place to call home*
  • Diversity thrives in our neighborhoods and in our town center and is evident in our schools and businesses.
  • Bainbridge is an elder-friendly community, where our elders are honored and housing and support services are available and accessible.
  • Our community is socially vibrant, fun, inclusive, just, and caring.
  • Neighbors know their neighbors and care for one another.
  • Bainbridge Island provides adequate public facilities and utilities within the citizens' ability to pay, which maximize public safety and minimize adverse environmental impacts.*

Entertainment/Arts & Humanities:

  • Bainbridge Island supports, protects, and enhances the value of the arts and humanities as essential to education, quality of life, economic vitality, broadening of mind and spirit, and as treasure in trust for our descendants.*
  • Artistic expression in many forms is available and accessible for all citizens and visitors.
  • Our local community meets our needs for entertainment, enlightenment, fellowship, and discovery.

Energy:

  • The City has facilitated the conversion to cost effective and environmentally sensitive technologies and energy sources.*
  • Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, have been substituted for nuclear, coal, gas and large-scale hydroelectric dams. Dependency on fossil fuels has been eliminated.
  • Energy is renewable and community-based.
  • The City facilitates and encourages the conservation of energy resources.*
  • Energy is conserved in homes, businesses, schools and other facilities, because older homes, businesses, and schools have been modified to conserve energy, and new buildings are designed to produce and conserve energy.

Transportation:

  • Reliance on the auto is reduced. Residents choose to walk, bicycle, carpool, or ride public transit instead of traveling in a personal car.
  • Winslow's urban core is a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented village.*
  • Pedestrian and bicycle-oriented communities have been established.*
  • Car and truck traffic is reduced.

Building Design:

  • Buildings are beautiful and efficient, and reflect the character of the community
  • Green-built construction methods and products are routinely used for new homes, businesses and schools.

Development:

  • A financially sound and sustainable development pattern has been fostered.*
  • Development has been carefully planned to be sensitive to the natural environment, recognizing that Bainbridge Island's environmental resources are finite and must be maintained at a sustainable level.*
  • New development is low impact and compatible with the natural landscape. Neighborhoods are vibrant and green.
  • Homes and businesses are clustered, resulting in walkable neighborhoods, bikable connections, viable public transit, and more successful local businesses.
  • Reasonable use of the land for all landowners has been preserved.*
  • Winslow is the urban center where Bainbridge Island residents come to transact daily commerce and to meet for social activities. The neighborhood service centers of Rolling Bay, Island Center, and Lynnwood Center offer small-scale commercial and service activity outside Winslow.
  • Outside of Winslow and the service centers, Bainbridge Island has preserved its pastoral heritage, which is rooted in its open spaces, winding roads, and small-scale agricultural establishments. It has preserved the distinctive qualities of its harbors and small communities.*
  • Bainbridge Island's natural amenities have been connected through corridors of green--trails, wildlife corridors, and landscape buffers along scenic roads and major arterials.*

Work/Economy:

  • Bainbridge Island supports a stable, diverse and equitable local economy, so that our community is economically prosperous, secure, and self-reliant.
  • Local businesses prosper by meeting the basic needs of our local population.
  • Bainbridge Islanders have created an economic system which has a minimal dependence on external economies.*
  • People think globally, and shop locally.
  • Bainbridge Island has some social and economic links to Seattle and the rest of Kitsap County; however, the artistic, cultural and entrepreneurial spirit of its residents is encouraged.*
  • The energy, drive, initiative, and artistic talent of Bainbridge Island residents is fostered by providing opportunities for home occupations and environmentally-sound businesses.*

Material Use/Reuse/Recycling:

  • The products that we use come primarily from local and regional ecosystems and economies. These products are locally and safely recycled at the end of their lives.
  • Residents reuse and recycle, and avoid using hazardous substances in their homes and gardens.
  • Recycling complies with the City Of Bainbridge Island Recycling Ordinance.
  • Efficient and innovative facilities provide convenient, safe recycling and reuse opportunities
  • The community meets a "zero waste" standard.

Safety/Security/Preparedness

  • Our community is prepared for a variety of natural or man-made disruptions.
  • In the event of major natural, economic or political disruption, the community of Bainbridge Island is able to protect the safety and well-being of its citizens and provide for its citizens without being dependent on federal or state governments or major corporations for assistance.
  • Preparedness is based on strong networks among households and neighborhoods.

* Segments of this vision statement that are marked by an asterisk are similar to goals stated in the Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan.