Title
Agenda Item:
Comprehensive Plan Update - Council's Review and Deliberation Process
Body
Issue:
The Olympia Planning Commission has forwarded its Comprehensive Plan update recommendation to the Council. The staff seeks Committee discussion of the process for moving toward a Council decision later this year.
Committee Recommendation:
None. The Land use and Environment Committee discussed this topic on March 28, 2013, and suggested a general framework. Staff's proposal below is in response to those suggestions.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Report the Committee's discussion to the full Council at earliest opportunity for consideration in scheduling the Council's review and deliberation regarding the Plan update.
Staff Contact:
Todd Stamm, Planning Manager, Community Planning and Development, (360) 753.8597
Presenter(s):
Todd Stamm, Planning Manager
Background and Analysis:
Washington's Growth Management Act requires a 'periodic' review and update of local Comprehensive Plans such as Olympia's to ensure that they conform to the requirements of the Act. Olympia began such an update in 2009 with a goal of completing the update by 2012. This update process became known as "Imagine Olympia." When the Act was amended to postpone the statutory deadline to 2016, the City Council decided to continue the update process with a new completion target of late 2013. In July of 2012 after extensive public involvement and consistent with the scope directed by Council, the staff issued a proposed update of the Plan. Following public hearings, in March of 2013 the Planning Commission completed its review of the proposal and issued a recommendation. That recommendation is to be posted on the City's website on May 20, 2013. The Council is scheduled to meet with the Commission on June 11, 2013, to discuss the Commission's recommendation.
On March 28, 2013, the Committee discussed the process for Council's review of the Commission-recommended version of the Plan. That process is to address three aspects:
1) Include a variety of opportunities for public participation, on a scale consistent with the issues presented.
2) Ensure that Council members have the opportunity to make well-informed and carefully-considered decisions.
3) Complete the review by the end 2013.
To achieve these three aims, the staff proposes the process outlined below. This proposal is a refinement of the Committee's direction of March 28 and reflects subsequent changes resulting from delays in the Council's ongoing Shoreline Master Program update process.
May 20
Planning Commission's recommended version of the Comprehensive Plan update together with supporting material to be posted on City website. At a subsequent Council meeting, staff will provide a brief public demonstration of how to access this material.
June 11
Joint meeting of Council and Planning Commission to discuss Commission's recommendation. All Commission members as of March 2013 are to be invited. Staff will provide an introductory 'History of Imagine Olympia.'
Late June
'Imagine Olympia' Comprehensive Plan Update record will be delivered to Council. One paper copy in Council office plus compact discs for each Council member and interested members of public.
Early July
Addendum to Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) to be issued. The FSEIS analyzed the issues presented in the version of the Plan update that was issued in July of 2012, i.e., the version that was the subject of the Planning Commission's public hearings. The Addendum will expand on that analysis by adding new information and addressing issues raised by the Commission's recommendation.
Late July
Council briefings on selected subjects related to the Plan update, such as street connectivity and increasing residential densities. These briefings would be during regular Council meetings. Specific topics would be determined by Council in late June and, of course, will be limited by agenda time available.
Late August
Council study session regarding Growth Management Act and Olympia Comprehensive Plan in general. This would be a televised and webcast meeting, probably with a guest speaker, to provide a foundation for later public outreach and deliberation.
September
Council members host a series of four public 'workshops.' (Specific dates to be selected by the Land Use and Environment Committee in July.) These informal opportunities to learn about and comment on the proposed Plan update would be held outside City Hall on the westside, and in the northeast, southeast, and downtown areas. The format would provide participation opportunities for both the general public and selected stakeholders, such as neighborhood associations. The downtown event would be city-wide in scope. In addition to these four events, staff would be available to support and attend meetings arranged by others.
October
Council 'check-in' point. To decide whether to seek more public input, other information or analysis, and/or proceed to formal public hearings. Public hearings and subsequent deliberation and decisions would follow when deemed appropriate by Council.
The schedule above differs from the approach discussed by the Committee in March in three major respects:
1. There would not be a 'kick-off' event in June separate from the meeting with the Commission
2. The 'stakeholder roundtable' planned for July would be folded into the September public outreach
3. The staff would provide analysis of issues, but would make formal recommendations only when specifically requested by Council
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Over one thousand interested parties have participated in the "Imagine Olympia" process thus far. Some of the issues of public interest are noted above. The Imagine Olympia record, including written comments and meeting summaries, will be forwarded to the Council on about July 1.
Options:
1. Confirm general process described above and report to Council for scheduling of Council agenda items consistent with this schedule.
2. Select alternative process (such as switching Council briefings with informal public outreach) and report accordingly to Council.
3. Continue discussion at next Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on June 27, 2013.
Financial Impact:
None.
Council review and deliberation regarding the proposed Plan update is part of Community Planning and Development Department's 2013 work program.