Title
Olympia Joint Plan - The Comprehensive Plan for the Urban Growth Area
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to support adoption of the Olympia Joint Plan by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support that requests three minor modifications.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to support adoption of the Olympia Joint Plan by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support that requests three minor modifications.
Report
Issue:
Whether to support adoption of the Olympia Joint Plan by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support that requests three minor modifications.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia and Thurston County have been working together to adopt a joint comprehensive plan for the unincorporated portions of Olympia’s Urban Growth Area (UGA). This plan establishes a vision, sets policies, and once adopted, makes the land use process more predictable for community residents and more seamless for the city and county when annexations occur. The draft Joint Plan consists of the portions of the Olympia Comprehensive Plan that are applicable within the UGA.
The Thurston County and City of Olympia Planning Commissions met together four times. There were two briefings in October of 2022. The public hearing on the Joint UGA Comprehensive Plan was held on November 30, 2022, by both Planning Commissions. Commissioners discussed but did not take action on the Plan. Deliberations continued at the meeting on January 25, 2023. During deliberations, the
The Planning Commissions proposed modifications to amend language around agricultural land uses in the UGA, planning for population growth in the UGA, and transportation corridors in the UGA. The recommendation also included a proposal to remove the requirement for a grocery store in the Community Oriented Shopping Center (COSC) zoning district.
The Thurston County and City of Olympia Planning Commissions recommend approval of the Joint Plan with those modifications.
Climate Analysis:
The Joint Plan contains goals and policies that support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions including but not limited to the construction of energy efficient buildings; efficient transportation systems; increased use of transit and alternate transportation modes; reduction in solid waste that goes to landfills; and preservation of the urban tree canopy.
Equity Analysis:
The Joint Plan envisions a diverse and inclusive community. Work on the Olympia Joint Plan between the City and Thurston County began in 2017. The public hearing was conducted in November of 2022. While this work took place before the City began using the Equity Framework, City and County staff worked to ensure the Equity language in the Community Values and Vision chapter adopted by the City in 2021, was included in the Olympia Joint Plan. The City recognizes that equity is essential to all areas of the Joint Plan and is committed to eliminating inequity in the community.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Comment letters submitted prior to the public hearing are attached. Concerns were expressed related to UGA capacity, housing and population data, traffic impacts, stormwater and wastewater management, school capacity, residential densities, farmland preservation, and changes in zoning that would remove the requirement for a grocery store on the undeveloped portion of Glenmore Village.
Financial Impact:
Work on the Joint Plan is covered by the Community Planning and Development Department’s base budget.
Options:
1. Accept the Land Use and Environment Committee recommendation to support adoption of the Olympia Joint Plan by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support that requests three minor modifications.
2. Accept the Land Use and Environment Committee recommendation to support adoption of the Olympia Joint Plan by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support that reflects any additional recommended changes.
3. Accept the Land Use and Environment Committee recommendation to support adoption of the Olympia Joint Plan by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners but do not submit a comment letter.
Attachments:
Thurston County Joint Plan webpage
Draft comment letter