Title
Approval of 2025 Work Plan
Recommended Action
Move to recommend the Heritage Commission 2025 Work Plan to the City Council for approval
Report
Issue:
Whether to support the proposed 2025 Work Plan and recommend approval to the Community Livability and Safety Committee for review and approval
Staff Contact:
Brittany Gillia, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning & Economic Development Department, 360.753.8427
Presenter(s):
Brittany Gillia
Background and Analysis:
Each year the Heritage Commission updates it’s work plan and provides a draft to the Community Livability and Safety Committee for review. The draft work plan is due in early March.
The commission has expressed an interest in restructuring the sub-committees. The proposed work plan has combined the Survey and Designation committee with the Heritage Review Committee. During the January meeting, an interest was expressed in renaming the newly merged committee.
Climate Analysis:
Updates to the City’s Historic Preservation policy, plans and ordinances provides an opportunity to re-evaluate and prioritize the way preservation work can support climate and sustainability initiatives.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) reports that “…all kinds of historic buildings and neighborhoods, archaeological sites, Tribal sites and resources, and culturally important landscapes (both designed and natural) throughout the country (collectively, “historic properties”), as well as associated intangible cultural heritage, are at risk from a broad range of potential climate impacts, including sea level rise; extreme weather events; increased wildfires; drought; melting permafrost and erosion; and temperature changes. These impacts are both direct and cumulative, and threaten not only historic properties but also the terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna associated with historically and culturally important places. The loss of or damage to historic properties from such climate impacts can irrevocably change a community’s sense of place and erode people’s sense of personal identity and cultural stability…
…About 39 percent of global carbon emissions come from the construction and operation of buildings. This impact can be reduced by reusing existing buildings, thus avoiding the embodied carbon emissions inherent in new construction, including the carbon associated with the manufacturing and transportation of new materials and the removal and disposal of building materials from demolished buildings. Reuse of existing buildings in urban areas also contributes to climate change mitigation by promoting density, helping to combat urban sprawl and its attendant negative environmental impacts… Since approximately 40 percent of America’s building stock is at least 50 years old, it is critical that reuse and energy retrofit of older and historic buildings (including enhanced electrification and increased energy efficiency standards) be fundamental priorities.”
Equity Analysis:
The Olympia Heritage Commission is dedicated to improving the education and outreach of the Heritage Register and Special Tax Valuation opportunities to underrepresented communities. Every project is an opportunity to include all of
Olympia’s communities in education and outreach.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
1. Recommend the Heritage Commission 2025 Work Plan to the Community Livability and Safety Committee as proposed.
2. Recommend the Heritage Commission 2025 Work Plan to the Community Livability and Safety Committee with amendments.
3. Do not make a recommendation to the Community Livability and Safety Committee.
Financial Impact:
Programmatic costs are taken from Community Planning & Economic Development funds. Pursuit of supplemental trainings and other activities are contingent upon securing grant funds from external sources.
Attachments:
2025 Heritage Commission Work Plan Proposal