Title
Public Hearing and Approval of an Ordinance Related to Adoption of the 2025 Capital Mall Triangle Engineering Design And Development Standards and Amending Chapter 12.02 of the Olympia Municipal Code
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use & Environment Committee recommends holding the public hearing and approving the Ordinance related to adoption of the 2025 Capital Mall Triangle Engineering Design and Development Standards and amending Chapter 12.02 of the Olympia Municipal Code.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold the public hearing and move to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, the Ordinance related to adoption of the 2025 Capital Mall Triangle Engineering Design and Development Standards and amending Chapter 12.02 of the Olympia Municipal Code.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Hold the public hearing and move to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, the Ordinance related to adoption of the 2025 Capital Mall Triangle Engineering Design and Development Standards and amending Chapter 12.02 of the Olympia Municipal Code.
Staff Contact:
Susan McLaughlin, Director, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.753.8206
Tim Smith, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.570.3915
David Ginther, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.753.8335
Presenter(s):
David Ginther, Senior Planner
Michelle Swanson, Senior Planner AICP
Background and Analysis:
The Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) guide the design and construction of transportation, drinking water, reclaimed water, sewer, stormwater, and solid waste collection systems. They are also the technical interpretation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and various utility master plans. The City Engineer is responsible for approving and administering the EDDS.
The proposed changes to the EDDS are recommended by the Capital Mall Triangle Subarea Plan (approved in July of 2024) and the associated Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement. The proposed changes include adjusting intersection spacing and center line offsets (block sizes) to be smaller and more flexible and to add a reference to the new planned action chapter in the Olympia Municipal Code that is being proposed through the separate, but related, Capital Mall Triangle Subarea Planned Action Ordinance. The proposed changes to the EDDS will only apply within the Capital Mall Triangle Subarea.
Proposed Changes
Intersection spacing and centerline offsets (block sizes) for major collectors in the City are currently 350’-500’. They are proposed to change within the Capital Mall Triangle to 300’-400’, but may be up to 500’ if intervening public cross-block pedestrian, bicycle, and emergency access connections are provided. See Sections 2 and 3 of the ordinance.
Section 4 of the ordinance adds a reference to the new planned action chapter in the Olympia Municipal Code which is proposed through the separate, but related, Capital Mall Triangle Subarea Planned Action Ordinance. This new chapter will contain the planned action transportation mitigation requirements for future development within the Capital Mall Triangle Subarea.
The Land Use and Environment Committee reviewed the proposed amendments on February 20, 2025, and again on March 27, 2025, and has forwarded them to the full City Council with a recommendation for approval.
Climate Analysis:
The proposed changes support the transition of the Capital Mall Triangle Subarea into a more walkable and accessible urban neighborhood where future residents will have the option to walk, roll, or use transit to obtain the goods or services they may need in their daily life. This will help to reduce automobile trips and vehicle miles traveled which is consistent with the City’s climate goals to reduce emissions. The requirement for pedestrian connections, in cases where a larger block size is desired, also supports and contributes to the walkability and accessibility of the subarea which is consistent with the City’s climate goals related to emissions.
Equity Analysis:
The proposed changes support the transition of the Capital Mall Triangle Subarea into a more walkable and accessible urban neighborhood as recommended in the Capital Mall Triangle Subarea Plan. Smaller block sizes and additional pedestrian connections will encourage and provide more opportunities for non-vehicular modes of travel. This will help to benefit those with lower incomes, disabilities, or without a personal vehicle by making it easier and more convenient to travel within the subarea without a vehicle. Smaller block sizes (intersection and centerline spacing) could, in certain cases, result in higher costs for future development. However, in cases where a larger block is desired, the cost of the required pedestrian connection will be much less than the cost of a full street connection.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The proposed changes are recommended by the Capital Mall Triangle Subarea Plan which provided substantial outreach and engagement opportunities for the community from 2022-2024. No public comments were received on the proposed revisions to the EDDS.
Financial Impact:
There are no financial impacts related to this item.
Options:
1. Hold the public hearing and move to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, the Ordinance related to adoption of the 2025 Capital Mall Triangle Engineering Design and Development Standards and amending Chapter 12.02 of the Olympia Municipal Code.
2. Hold the public hearing and modify the Ordinance related to adoption of the 2025 Capital Mall Triangle Engineering Design and Development Standards and amending Chapter 12.02 of the Olympia Municipal Code.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Ordinance