Title
Approval of a Resolution Ratifying Applications for the Washington State Department of Commerce Transit Oriented Development Grant and Housing Action Plan Implementation Grant and Approving Acceptance of the Grants if Awarded
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution ratifying applications for the Washington State Department of Commerce Transit Oriented Development Grant and Housing Action Plan Implementation Grant and approving acceptance of the Grants if awarded.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution ratifying applications for the Washington State Department of Commerce Transit Oriented Development Grant and Housing Action Plan Implementation Grant and approving acceptance of the Grants if awarded.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, 360.280.8947
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
The Washington Department of Commerce recently announced two grant applications that would enable the City to implement its Housing Action Plan (HAP). City staff submitted the grant applications on October 7, 2021. The Department of Commerce anticipates announcing the grant recipients by the end of October.
Because the window of time is short between when Commerce will announce the grant recipients and when they anticipate signed contracts, it is necessary for the City Council to pre-authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the documents necessary to accept the funding if the City is awarded one or both grants.
The grants are as follows:
1) The Transit Oriented Development Implementation (TODI) grant is for up to $250,000 to complete a subarea plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Capital Mall Triangle subarea -which are identified actions in the HAP. The subarea is one of three transit-oriented urban centers envisioned in Olympia’s Comprehensive Plan. Our Plan envisions this area with significantly more housing development mixed in with new and existing commercial uses over the next 20 years. The vision is that this area will grow into a more people-oriented urban neighborhood where residents can commute to work, recreate, and meet basic needs without a car. To get there we need to set the table for high-density, mixed-use housing and make it easier for people to walk, bike, bus or roll through the subarea. The grant would enable robust analysis and public engagement to form a clear and coordinated strategy that will leverage redevelopment in a way that forwards our community vision and works for developers, businesses, neighbors and the city.
2) The Housing Action Plan Implementation (HAPI) grant is for up to $100,000 to amend the parking code to reduce parking requirements in frequent transit areas and to increase flexibility in the permit process - both of which are identified actions in the HAP. These actions forward Strategy 3: Expand overall housing supply by making it easier to build all types of housing. Reducing minimum parking requirements can result in increased density and be an appropriate trade-off when the development is near transit routes that receive frequent service. Increasing flexibility in the permit process is about streamlining the permit process to reduce confusion/barriers to development.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The westside Community Visioning Group (CVG) is very interested in the City applying for the TODI grant to enable a subarea planning process for the Capital Mall Triangle.
Options:
1) Move to approve a Resolution ratifying applications for the Washington State Department of Commerce Transit Oriented Development Grant and Housing Action Plan Implementation Grant and approving acceptance of the Grants if awarded.
2) Do not move to approve a Resolution ratifying applications for the Washington State Department of Commerce Transit Oriented Development Grant and Housing Action Plan Implementation Grant and approving acceptance of the Grants if awarded.
Financial Impact:
There is no matching requirement for these grants. The TODI grant would provide up to $250,000 for subarea planning, and the HAPI grant would provide up to $100,000 for code changes that implement Olympia’s Housing Action Plan.
Attachments:
Resolution
Capital Mall Triangle Subarea