Title
Public Hearing on the 2021 Engineering Design and Development Standards Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use & Environment Committee (LUEC) recommends holding a public hearing on the 2021 Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) Update.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the EDDS. After hearing public testimony, close the public hearing and schedule the first reading of a proposed ordinance adopting the updated EDDS.
Report
Issue:
Whether to hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the EDDS and related changes to the Olympia Municipal Code.
Staff Contact:
Stephen Sperr, P.E., Assistant City Engineer, Public Works Engineering, 360.753.8739
Presenter:
Stephen Sperr, P.E., Assistant City Engineer, Public Works Engineering
Background and Analysis:
The Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) guide the design and construction of transportation, drinking water, reclaimed water, sewer, stormwater, and solid waste collection systems. They are also the technical interpretation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and various utility master plans. The City Engineer is responsible for approving and administering the EDDS.
On February 18 and June 17 staff briefed the Land Use and Environment Committee on 59 proposed topics to address in this year’s Update to the EDDS. Those briefings included an overview of the EDDS and highlights of the proposed 2021 changes. These briefings also including discussions of four Substantive Changes that will continue to be worked on through the rest of this year and into 2022.
Since these briefings, staff has developed, and continues to develop, draft language and drawing changes to support this year’s topics. Staff are also reaching out to interested parties by contacting them directly and by providing the entire list of issues being addressed on the City’s website. Staff are incorporating their comments into the proposed text and drawing changes.
Before the Public Hearing, staff will brief the full Council with a short presentation on the 2021 EDDS changes being considered.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Updated EDDS will ensure utility and transportation systems, as well as solid waste improvements constructed meet the most current standards. Updates will also continue to move us toward the City’s Comprehensive Plan Action Plan goal of providing Sustainable Infrastructure.
Options:
1. Hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the EDDS. After hearing public testimony, close the public hearing and schedule the first reading of a proposed ordinance adopting the updated EDDS.
2. Hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the EDDS. After hearing public testimony, close the public hearing and direct staff to incorporate specific changes to the 2021 EDDS. The first reading of a proposed ordinance adopting the updated EDDS may be delayed.
3. Do not hold a public hearing and delay updating the EDDS until a later date. This option will result in potential conflicts in attempting to ensure that development impacts within the right-of-way are consistently addressed.
Financial Impact:
Most of the proposed changes should not result in notable increases to the costs of private development or public work projects. However, those addressing street connectivity, thresholds for frontage improvements and private streets in mobile home parks, should end up costing less to owners and developers.
Attachments:
Link to EDDS Webpage
List of 2021 EDDS Topics