Preferred Future Elements

Demographics

• Enhanced diversity – age, race, culture, religion
• Interaction between generations
• Desirable area for people to live
• Increased number of residents with professional backgrounds
• Volunteerism is strong
• Primarily permanent residents
• Income levels are higher than County average
• Residents concerned about the prospect of a doubling of population on overall Community Values have acted both to moderate growth rates and insist on careful development thereby allowing the realization of Community Values.

Arts and Culture

• Artists remain both independent and work cooperatively
• Hansville has become more of an Arts and Crafts destination because of the Community’s culture supporting the arts
• Technology has helped artists market their wares thereby allowing financial success from a remote location like the GHA
• The GHA’s secluded nature continues to attract artists
• Community based group transportation is available to attend arts and cultural events outside the GHA
• The GHA has developed a vibrant arts community with a Cultural Center that includes a gallery and arts classes
• The Farmers/Crafts market continues to be active

Community Character

• The spirit of friendly, helpful neighbors and neighborhoods continues to be strong.
• Community volunteerism continues to be a strong foundation of the GHA
• There are many activities throughout the GHA that are open to all residents of the area
• The GHA has a stronger sense of “community” than existed in the past
• The Greater Hansville Area is a welcoming community
• Residents still value being independent and self-reliant

Economy

• Communications technology plays a very important role in telecommuting and home, and other businesses
• There is minimal commercial development; the rural character of the area is maintained
• “Downtown: Hansville has developed and the Hansville General store provides food and wine.
• A restaurant and a Cultural Center are part of the Norwegian Point Park
• There are more small, home-based businesses
• There are several Bed and Breakfasts that offer amenities to the Community

Education

• The GHA is supportive of our schools
  • Volunteering
  • Supporting levies
• School facilities are well maintained
• The school district attracts high quality staff
• Telecommunications technology allows increased “Distance
•  Learning”
• Close ties to Poulsbo campus of Olympic College means improved adult learning opportunities
• The new High School in Kingston has improved education
• Adult education is available at the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal facilities.
• There are learning opportunities for all ages.

Environment

• The GHA Community Advisory Council met with commercial forest owners beginning in 2006 to cooperatively develop land and forest management plans that met the Community’s Values for lands within the GHA.
• Forest practices have become more environmentally sensitive; restricting or prohibiting clearcuts.
• Recycling of all materials is available at the expanded Recycling/Return Center
• Recycling pickup is available to all homes in the GHA
• GHA residents are aware of the potential negative impact of chemicals on the environment and are sensitive in their use
• A “rural feeling” environment which maintains natural beauty and provides the maximum opportunity to view and access the natural environment and abundant wildlife has been maintained.
• “Cleanliness” and “quiet” remain important community values
• Shorelines have been managed and improved in a manner that balances the benefits to private as well as  the marine environment.

Government

• GHA residents are actively represented on government Boards and Advisory Commissions
• There is an active Greater Hansville Area Community Advisory/Coordinating Council comprised of representatives of each sub-community area within the GHA.  The Council helps plan for the future of the GHA and coordinates activities with the County and other outside governments, agencies and developers.
• The GHA retains good partnerships and relationships with government agencies
• The GHA has strong, supportive relationships with the  Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
• The GHA is more unified with a broad sense of inclusiveness, a new welcoming entrance sign at Eglon Road and the 98340 zip code has been expanded to cover the entire GHA area.
• There are frequent candidate’s nights that include Congressional candidates as the political influence of the GHA increases
• The Community Advisory Council actively monitors growth and environmental impacts of developments and keeps the Greater community informed
• Residents are increasingly concerned about high taxes forcing some existing residents to leave

Housing

• Communal elder housing is available in the GHA
• The majority of homes are permanently occupied
• The rural character of housing development has been maintained
• Lot sizes are no smaller than what is zoned today or alternative development  like cluster developments that are compatible with GHA Values and provide benefits to the broader GHA)
• As buildout approaches and the number houses increases, the impact of each home and homeowner on neighbors increases. 
• The County has improved oversight of things like drainage and other issues which are often problematic for residential developments
• Housing remains largely single family and is now becoming very expensive
• Minimal impact on neighbors
• Trees were left whenever possible when properties are developed

Human Services

• The Hansville Community Center continues to be a social center for the GHA
• Residents have to travel outside of the GHA for most human services
• Home health care and meals on wheels are available.
• There are increased medical (doctors, dentists, urgent care) facilities in Kingston
• There are more Community-based transport options to help residents reach human services.
• The population remains largely independent and self-sufficient

Land Use

• The development and use of the “spine” of the GHA owned by Olympic Resources was a concern to residents. Potential for continued clear cutting of timber or the likelihood of development at higher densities and resulting loss of wildlife habitat were found to be especially alarming as either would directly conflict with the Community’s Values.  As a result, the Community pursued two alternative solutions.  The Community explored a combination of grants, contributions from Olympic Resources and a local taxing district to purchase the property in the spine and preserve it in its natural state for future generations.  A subcommittee of the Community Advisory Council also met with Olympic Resources around 2006 to engage in an effort to cooperatively plan for the long term use of the area.  In return for preservation of a continuous central natural wildlife corridor along the entire spine, the Community agreed to clustered development along the edges of the area with densities higher than the 2006 limit of one home per 20 acres.  In either case, the  result was the preservation of a significant natural area and wildlife habitat.
• In all areas, development that has occurred has been consistent with Community Values.
• Current zoning density has remained unchanged from 2006 in all areas outside of the “spine”..
• Developments have been planned and controlled to be environmentally friendly
  • Lot sizes will be no smaller than permitted in 2006
  • As many trees as possible have been maintained to ensure buffers for noise reduction and privacy.
  • Storm water runoff and drainage regulations have increased to protect lands from erosion and protect the quality of surrounding surface water
  • A variety of farms, livestock rearing, nurseries, winery and home services have been maintained as part of a rural setting

Parks and Recreation

• Water access has been maintained and improved with the development of Forbes Landing and the Pt No Pt Resort
• Hansville serves as a national model for “community volunteerism” to support all local parks
• The parks are maintained through a partnership between the County and local volunteers
• The Greenway Trail System is complete
• A continuous wildlife corridor has been preserved along the spine of the GHA previously owned by Olympic Resources.
• All sub-communities in the GHA have access to interconnecting trails
• The park by the Hansville  store is a beautiful low impact park
• The boat launch on Pt No Pt road has been popular with fishermen.
• A safe bicycle loop has been completed around the GHA road system

Public Safety

• Neighborhood Watch programs along with increased Sheriff patrols have improved public safety
• The roads are safer with improved traffic enforcement, better signage, and the use of volunteers to monitor speeding
• The GHA has a good Emergency Preparedness plan and one or more emergency shelters
• Emergency response has continued to be good.
• Current emergency or disaster information is readily available in real time as a result of a North End radio station or some other form of emergency warning system
• The Sheriff has created a partnership with the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe to enhance public safety in the GHA
• A second road between highway 104 and the south end of Little Boston Road has been constructed to improve access in the event of a disaster or natural emergency.
• GHA volunteers have combined with the Sheriff’s office to improve public safety in the area.
• There is good “speed limit awareness” in the area

Technology

• Telecommunications have continued to improve and service to the GHA is similar or better than other areas within the region
• Wireless use is standard and of good quality throughout the GHA

Transportation

• Ferry service is affordable and more available
• All primary roads have separated bike lanes and footpaths
• There is regular passenger only ferry service between Kingston and Seattle that will accommodate both commuting and other uses
• There are several small car pool lots located around the GHA to encourage ride sharing
• Road signage is better throughout the GHA
• The roads are safer and adequate for the traffic load
• There is effective and reasonably priced public transportation
• A Cross Connector road that minimizes both the impact on wildlife and additional development, has been built.
• Traffic/speed control techniques and devices have improved safety and compliance with traffic laws
• The Community and/or small private providers provide access for non-driving residents to the outside.

Utilities

• Septic systems are well maintained via greater community awareness and county enforcement
• Electrical, water and phone (including cell service from all providers) is good, reliable and meets the growth of the area
• The Port Gamble substation is in operation, however power outages still an issue in the rural GHA
• Utilities are affordable
• Technology of septic systems has improved and has reduced the negative impacts on the environment of the older systems.