E A T O N V I L L E COMPREHENSIVE PLANPUBLIC MEETING

COMMUNITY REPORTAPRIL 2012

The Eatonville Public Meeting was planned and prepared by the following University of Washington Department of Urban Design and Planning Graduate Students:

Stela AbedLana AlisdairiZack Ambrose

Obi AmobiScott Beckstrom

Daren DaiLeanna Man Li

Melanie MayockJesse London

Stephen PaduaFinis Ray

Maria SandercockCat Silva

Francisco TraversoErinn Walter

Questions or comments concerning the Eatonville Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting Community Reportand the next phases of updating the town comprehensive plan can be directed to:

University of Washington StudioDepartment of Urban Design and Planning

studio67@u.washington.edufacebook.com/EatonvilleComprehensivePlanningStudio

Nick Bond, Eatonville Town Planner360-832-3361

nbond@eatonville-wa.gov

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Public Meeting

Community Participants

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Presentation Public Commentary

Planning Exercises

Visioning: Building Your Town

Salmon, Rain Gardens, Parks and Recreation

Land Use: The Density Game

Economic Development

Community Services

Acknowledgements

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P U B L I CM E E T I N G

COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS AND PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA

Eatonville Comprehensive Plan Kick-o� MeetingMarch 31, 2012

TODAY

10:00 - Welcome! 10:15 - Background

10:40 - Break Out Sessions 11:25 - Next Steps

We Want to Hear From You!

What do you love about Eatonville?

(drop o� with a student before you leave)

Christine Koch · Peter Koch · Nancy James · Tom Smallwood · Margrit Thorualdson · Ruthie WilliamPat Kahler · Judy Justice · Charles McTee · David Craig · David Wuller · Joni Eades · Paul Crosetto David Hymer · Bob Walter · Don Perry · Dee Baublits · Judy Willmott · Jan Thompson · Rich Williams

Audrey Thompson · Linda Thompson · D. Jewel · Abby Gribi · Phil Beach · Robert SchaubDebra Grant · Marilyn Jacobs · Deborah Crosetto · Louise Carson · Rich Stewart · Barbata Samora

Steve Pruitt · Preston Weller · Michelle Wilbur

EATONVILLE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION

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EATONVILLE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION

EATONVILLE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION

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EATONVILLE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION

PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Where do you take visitors when they come to Eatonville?1. Northwest Trek2. Mt. Rainier3. Pioneer Farm4. Bakery5. Smallwood Park6. High School7. Pack Forest8. Gun Club9. Co Op10. Antique Shops

Reflections on 2005 Vision:- Businesses that provide jobs

o Kids need opportunities for worko No jobs / no prospectso Need jobs in town that can a lot of employees

- Transportation is an issueo No public transit

- Location Issueo Close to larger metro areas – cannot compete with big box storeso Tourism is an opportunity that is not being taken advantage of – need to capture business from tourism

- Industrial plan needs to be expanded and passed- Incentive program for new businesses to open, provide easier ways for businesses to open- Tourism

o Tourist destination in towno Old mill theme (ie: Leavenworth, Port Townsend, etc..)o Historic mill towno Opportunity to build small, working mill – discussing with Pack Foresto Need funding sources for building tourist attractiono Capitalize on existing funding

- Nursing Home / Assisted living center within town for those who want to age in place- Increased awareness of what’s happening with businesses in town, expand awareness and marketing

o For example, many don’t know about the co-op- Rivers, lakes, natural attractions- Increased recreational attractions- Expand trails and connect town to Mt. Rainier and surrounding areas

Public commentary was received from the following questions that were asked during the community presentation:

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PUBLIC COMMENTARY

What did we miss?-Creating better knowledge of history-Museum for tourism-New / old residents need to co-mingle

o Hard to overcome community divide-Behind the curve on infrastructure development – could be an opportunity to create innovative solutions

o Sustainable developmento Stormwatero Eco friendlyo Annexation

- Need to invest in selfo Need to be prepared for the future

- People are an asset to the communityo Strong communityo Willing to invest time and moneyo High level of civic involvement

-ConflictbetweenbusinessesandTownCouncil oDifficultforbusinessestoadvertiseifCouncildoesnotapprovesignage o Promote businesses along main roads by using signs o Connect business districts – promote walkable neighborhoods - Asset: Tax rate lowest in Pierce County. - Tourism needs to be capitalized upon - Connect with trails

P L A N N I N GE X E R C I S E S

VISIONING: BUILDING YOUR TOWN

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EXERCISE FEEDBACKWHAT REPRESENTS THE FUTURE OF EATONVILLE?

Parks, Nature and Rivers (11)Bikeability (7)Walkability (7)

Farmers’ Market (5)Safety/Police (4)

Mass Transit (busses) (4)Preserving views of Mount Rainer (4)

Education (2)Tourism (2)History (2)Salmon (2)

Fire Protection (2)Jobs

RevitalizationSustainability

Time BankCareer Center

HospitalityPreserving trees and the urban canopy

IndustryRemaining a friendly small town

Festivals and events that are unique to Eatonville

“I always thought that a permanent structure for a market would be a huge attraction in that empty space right there in the middle of town (I am thinking of a smaller version of the one they have in Olympia). I think that a

“Mountain Market” would encourage a lot of people to stop and support other local businesses. There could be a stage area for performances etc. (I have thought a lot about it) Eatonville needs an attraction

and I think that a Mountain themed farmers market could be it.”-from Tod Morrish, via email

WHAT DOES NOT REPRESENT THE FUTURE OF EATONVILLE?

Fast food chainsLarge, automobile oriented signage

Mass transit (light rail)Parking lots

More cars/ higher commute timesHigh urban density

SALMON, RAIN GARDENS, AND PARKS AND RECREATION

EXERCISE FEEDBACK

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SHOULD SALMON BE PART OF EATONVILLE’S IMAGE?YES (13)1.)Thesalmonfishingwillbeagreatattraction.Everybodywantstotaketheirchildrenfishing

2.)We have a precious asset in salmon – we must preserve and share with locals and visitors

3.) Anything positive that works – yes

4.) Yes – absolutely. Smallwood Park – a teaching opportunity

5.)Yesbutmoreofanecotourismdrawratherthanfishing,giventhatChinookandsteelheadarelisted/protected species under ESA. Also need to address recreation impacts on salmon habitat as well.

6.) Yes, salmon need clean water, water is life, salmon are “barometers” of water quality and people need clean water aswell.SalmonareiconsofthePacificNorthwest.

7.)Yes.TheTownshouldworktoasalmonsafetowncertified.

8.) Fishermen spend money!!

9.) Yes! We should celebrate the salmon runs and provide more educational opportunities to our residents and our visi-tors! A salmon festival in Eatonville would be GREAT!

10.) Salmon should be a part of every vision – it’s nearly the symbol of Washington State itself. Pike’s Place Market for example. Plus, not overcooked they’re delicious!

UNSURE (0) and NO (0)

SHOULD THERE BE MORE RAIN GARDENS IN EATONVILLE?YES (8)1.) Visibility from businesses

2.)Yes,raingardensfilterstormwater.Raingardensprovidefabulouslearningopportunitiesaboutthe importance of clean water entering our stream and creeks

3.) Yes. Rain gardens are functional, sustainable, and beautiful

4.) As a renter I can’t, however I love the way they look and the fact that it uses our storm water [something]/storm drains

5.) A good thing. Could use several more in our town. Yes to rain gardens.

6.) Tourism. If it looks good people will stop, look, enjoy

7.) Salmon

UNSURE (1) and NO (0)1.)I’mnotconvincedofthebenefitsofraingardens–theyneedtobemaintained.Alreadytherearegardensthatlackupkeep. They are a breeding ground for mosquitos – West Nile Virus is a concern and should be a consideration.

LAND USE

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EXERCISE FEEDBACKGENERAL LAND USE COMMENTARY

» Linda Jewell: I don’t agree with population increasing in Eatonville. Barely can keep population in because of lack of business. Town is coming down because of it.

» Pat Kahle / Debra Grant: $680,000 was spent in the construction of the Visitors Center. It’s empty, no one to use it! We can’t get even one person to volunteer in it. What a waste of money. That single building can afford our police department… Mashel Avenue? Three businesses closed while they were remodeling it, and just one block. This council discourages business. This town doesn’t have a shoe store, it doesn’t have a cinema. No one is encouraging business. Everything is closing. Not even a pizza is available for the residents of Eatonville and in the short term, not even services. How we are supposed to bring more people in?

» Tom Back: We need more businesses like plaza market. What is this group experience in planning?

» Charlie Poole: (airport #1… in his words) - “These guys, they want to control people. They privatized streets near the airport. How? Access to transportation is granted by law. They are controlling us, we lost control of our government. How youdefinethetownjurisdiction?That’stheusualanswer.Firstdefinitionofjurisdictionis“AuthorityoftheLaw”,thenthegeographicaldefinition.TheseguysaretryingtodowhattheycanfortheTown,it’sjustthattheyaredoingitoutofthelaw! (pointing toward former major Tom Smallwood)

» Bob Walter: There is no connection between Mashel Ave. And Washington Ave., Why? There are interesting businesses there too! Visitors center. USE IT!

» The remodel Mashel Ave., why not Washington? How are we supposed to tell the people what is interesting on the avenue?

» How to develop? We must develop residential lots within boundaries before creating new subdivisions!

» Abby Gribi / Bev: How to take plans into implementation? We have great visioning documents, but… how can we transform that into reality? Taxes revenues? There are not enough commercial buildable lands. We need to improve the vision of a lodging? community.

» We need more visitors centers, but we want them to work. We need people to volunteer. They have to have acommitment with our town. More trees. We need this community to look green and cozy.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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EXERCISE FEEDBACKGENERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMENTARY

· Sales tax in Eatonville is lower than neighboring cities; comparative advantage· Walkable routes need to be connected to businesses and trails.· Inconvenient distance to doctors and other health services. · Lack of clothing stores and other forms of retail · One resident noted that for grocery shopping, she often goes to Graham: selection in the local grocery store is too lim-ited, and more expensive for buying in bulk. » She suggests the addition of a chain/franchise grocery store like Safeway or Costco, to increase selection, pur chasing power and revenue.·Whenaskedwhatkindofretailwouldbenefitthetown,anotherresidentsuggestedaspecialtyfoodstoreordeliwhichsold gourmet spices, etc. » The local meat store is great, but not well known. » More souvenir shops with keep sakes; Eatonville/Mt. Rainier memorabilia » Eatonville Outdoor is good as well, but the selection is limited. She suggested expanding to include sleeping bags,tents,hunting/fishinggear,etc.· More clothing stores·Wineryintownasopposedtothetwooutsideoftown,whichlacksufficientsignage· Store owners should follow posted business hours » Debit/credit at grocery stores rather than only accepting cash or check » Better selection· Recognizable fast food or other restaurants – local is good but does not help to draw in tourists who stop for food on their way to Rainier· More co-ops· Local bank/credit union so that the money invested stays within the community· Better public transportation· The town should incorporate a Volunteer time program like Portland and Maine · Former Mayor Tom Smallwood - Mixed-use development – retail below and senior housing above· Rich - Solar panels to cut electricity costs· Community fund to contribute to the watershed· Frustration with the Town Planning Commission and the fact that the running of the town seems like an afterthought to those involved and so little gets done. » Nick doesn’t actually live in town »Themayorandseveralotherkeyfiguresholdprimaryjobsoutsideoftownwhichdetractsfromtheattention given to major issues. » There should be a full time staff running the town.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

EXERCISE FEEDBACK

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WHAT DOES EATONVILLE DO WELL? WHICH PUBLIC SERVICES DO YOU USE IN AN AVERAGE MONTH?

CommunityCenter(3)·Library(6)·Parks·GroceryStore·TownHall(2)·PostOffice(3)·Clinics/MedicalOffices(4)Utilities (2) · CO-OP (2) · Fire and Emergency Medical Services · Police · Festivals (2)

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT SHORTCOMINGS AND CHALLENGES IN EATONVILLE SERVICES AND FACILITIES?

Lack of Vision · Do Not Consider Older People · Lack of Medical Staff · Limited Services · Costs to ResidentsNo Theme (like Levinworth) · Ability to Finance with Low Interest Loans · Threat to Police/Fire/EMS (2) · No Hot Pizza

No Tennis Shop · Books/Movies · Local Services / Shopping · Industrial Center · Clean Energy · ManufacturingLack of Trails · Provision of Local Jobs

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE EATONVILLE PROVIDE IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS?

Time Bank (especially poor/unemployed) · Small Gutters/Curbs · Retirement Center (2) · Department StoreMore Mid-Block Crossings · Central Gathering Space · More “Greenspace” · Community Supported Solar (2)

Local Basic Products Available · More CO-OPs (variety) · Farmers’ Market · Community Garden Sustainable Infrastructure · Town Bank / Credit Union · More Small Business · More Doctors/Medical Staff

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The University of Washington Department of Urban Design and Planningwould like to thank the following people and organizations for their

support and expertise in preparing for the Eatonville Community Meeting.

The Community of Eatonville and Public Meeting Attendees

Mayor Ray HarperMayor of Eatonville

Eatonville Community Centerfor generously providing a meeting place

Miranda DollAdministrative Assistant, Eatonville

Nick BondEatonville Town Planner

Branden BornAssociate Professor, University of Washington

Hossein EstiriPHD Candidate, University of Washington

Rick Sepler, AICPPlanner, Port Townsend

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