Title
Approval of a Resolution accepting the Introduction Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution accepting the updated Introduction Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution accepting the updated Introduction Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
Staff Contact:
Susan McLaughlin, Director, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.753.8206
Tim Smith, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.570.3915
Joyce Phillips, Planning Manager, Community Planning and Economic Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Planning Manager
Background and Analysis:
Every 10 years, the City is required by State law to review and update its Comprehensive Plan and implement development regulations. This update looks out to year 2045 to show, among other things, how the City will accommodate new population and employment growth. It is also an opportunity to make sure the Plan and Development Regulations meet current state requirements that have changed since the last major update of the Plan, and to ensure that the plan reflects our community values.
Each chapter is being updated separately, although staff is working diligently to ensure chapters are supportive of each other and consistent. Because chapters are being reviewed on different timelines, staff is requesting that the City Council “accept” each chapter but to refrain from adopting until all chapters are complete and any final adjustments can be made. Staff intends to bring all “accepted” chapters back to City Council in one full document for review and final action. The deadline to complete this periodic update of the Comprehensive Plan is December 31, 2025.
Olympia’s Comprehensive Plan
Olympia’s first Comprehensive Plan (Plan) was adopted more than 60 years ago. With the passage of the State’s Growth Management Act in 1990, Olympia prepared a new plan which was completed in 1994. The plan was amended a few times over the years. In 2014, the City completed a major rewrite of the Plan, with broad input and participation by community members.
The Plan covers the area of the Olympia City Limits and the urban growth area. It addresses issues like housing, land use, transportation, parks and open spaces, utilities and public services, and the economy. It also reflects community values, such as public participation, addressing climate change, and tree preservation. Once adopted, the Plan becomes the adopted vision for how and where our community will grow and change, and be served with utilities, infrastructure, and public services. Comprehensive Plans must be updated every 10 years.
Growth Management Act (GMA)
The GMA (RCW 36.70A) establishes a framework for comprehensive planning in Washington State. It includes statewide planning goals that each jurisdiction must balance locally. Some of the primary objectives of the GMA are to protect resource lands of long-term commercial significance (agricultural, forestry, and mineral resource lands), to plan for growth in urban areas where it can be served with a full range of urban services, to prevent sprawl, and to protect environmentally sensitive areas.
Land is in one of three categories - urban, rural, or resource lands. Depending on which category the land is in, there are different provisions of the GMA that apply. Cities and urban growth areas are considered urban.
The GMA identifies what must be included in local government Comprehensive Plans. It identifies required elements of the plans, which are often referred to as chapters. It allows for “optional” elements as well. Each required element contains minimum requirements local governments must address. Any optional elements must be consistent with the required elements.
Periodic Update
Counties and Cities are required to update Comprehensive Plans at least once every ten years. Thurston County, and the cities within it, must complete the periodic update by December 31, 2025. This also includes the requirement to update any development regulations (codes) that implement the Plan, if needed in order to be consistent with the new Plan.
The update requires the city to:
- Extend the planning horizon at least 20 years, to year 2045
- Update population projections
- Address changes and new requirements in state laws
Phased Approach and Timeline
The City is using a phased approach to complete the update. This is allowing us to make the most use of staff resources to complete as much of the associated work in-house as is possible. Through a coordinated effort, each chapter will be updated through a public process by staff from across most City Departments. The process varies by chapter.
Proposed revisions to the Introduction Chapter include updating the numbers, expanding upon the examples of using the Plan, adding a statement about equity, updating and moving the discussion of implementation to referring to the six focus areas and the City Council Work Plan and reports rather than the Action Plan, updating the maps and photos, and updating the Key Challenges section.
Social Justice and Equity Commission
The Social Justice and Equity Commission (SJEC) received a briefing regarding the Introduction Chapter on March 24, 2025. The SJEC provided a comment letter (attached) which includes a recommendation to include language addressing challenges to jobs and economic opportunities. The SJEC also recommends language be included that acknowledges that impacts from climate change will disproportionately affect some members of the community more than others.
Planning Commission
The Olympia Planning Commission (OPC) received a briefing on the draft Introduction Chapter on April 7, 2025. A public hearing was held on June 16, 2025. The OPC deliberated and prepared a comment letter (attached) following the public hearing. The OPC does not recommend specific changes but does recommend that Council consider language that more fully integrates climate goals into the Introduction Chapter.
Land Use and Environment Committee
The Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC) considered the draft chapter, with revisions proposed to address comments from both the Planning Commission and the Social Justice and Equity Commission. The LUEC recommended a few minor revisions to the chapter, which have been incorporated into the draft chapter (Attachment 2). The LUEC further recommended that the draft Introduction Chapter be forwarded to the full City Council for discussion at a Council Study Session.
Council Study Session Summary
The City Council reviewed and discussed this chapter at its Study Session on September 16th. A minor revision was suggested, to add a heading for the Equity paragraph, which has been incorporated into the draft chapter.
Climate Analysis:
Each of the topic chapters of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and being updated with climate change in mind, both from a reducing greenhouse gas emissions perspective and also for opportunities to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change. This Plan will include a chapter on Climate Action and Resiliency and will shape the goals and policies across the Plan. Because there will be a chapter specifically on the topic of climate, the section on sea level rise in the Introduction Chapter is being shortened, as well as expanded to cover more aspects of climate issues.
Equity Analysis:
Equity is a key theme of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan. The Plan is intended to address the basic needs of all Olympians and future community members while also working to provide opportunities for all people to thrive. In the Introduction Chapter, language has been added to express the specific intention of reviewing the goals and policies within the Plan through a wide lens of equity. Additionally, the Key Challenges section near the end of the Chapter has been revised to include language about housing being accessible and affordable to community members who live, or want to live, in Olympia.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The topics addressed in the Comprehensive Plan are of interest to most people who live or work in Olympia. Few written comments were submitted regarding the Introduction Chapter. Comments received are attached for consideration.
Financial Impact:
The Washington State Department of Commerce is providing a grant for up to $175,000 to help cover the costs of the City of Olympia’s Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution accepting the updated Introduction Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
2. Move to approve the Resolution accepting the Introduction Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan, with specific modifications.
3. Do not accept the Introduction Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and direct staff to make specific changes to it for reconsideration at a future date.
Attachments:
Resolution
Introduction Chapter
Planning Commission Recommendation
Social Justice and Equity Commission Letter
Chapter Webpage
Public Comments