Title
Low Impact Development Status Report
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive the information. Briefing only; no action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing and discuss the outcomes of Low Impact Development (LID) regulation implementation over the last year.
Staff Contact:
Nicole Floyd, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.3768
Presenter(s):
Nicole Floyd, Senior Planner
Background and Analysis:
The Low Impact Development (LID) code revision project began in February 2014 as a State mandate and was completed in December 2016 with the approval of new LID regulations by the City Council. The goal of this community-supported effort was to change the paradigm of development towards a more environmentally sensitive approach. Revisions were made to a City codes, standards, and manuals to meet the state requirement of making LID the preferred and commonly used approach to site development. The strategy emphasizes natural resource conservation, careful site planning, and small-scale stormwater management practices that are integrated into project designs.
The Washington Environmental Council and Puget Sound Keeper recently gave Olympia a green star for the LID code update for embracing a healthy, more sustainable future and for going beyond the State mandated requirements in a publication called “Nature’s Scorecard” (See attachment).
This first year following implementation has primarily been devoted to education of staff, developers and homeowners. Seven guide sheets and a webpage with various resources were created to help determine the extent to which the regulations apply to an individual development. Completed construction of projects meeting the LID standards are limited, due to the permit processing timeframe. A significant number of pre-submission conferences, stormwater scoping meetings, customer inquiries, and land-use submittals have occurred. Staff anticipates development that incorporates LID strategies to be constructed in the upcoming years.
LID code changes have direct impacts on homeowners, land developers, and City staff. Through practical application of the code, staff have identified a few areas where minor revisions are appropriate to clarify and improve administration of the code. Revisions related to surface coverage limits and landscaping requirements for new development will be summarized at the Committee meeting.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The adoption of LID requirements had robust public process with a significant input from the community.
Options:
N/A
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Nature’s Scorecard
LID web page