Title
Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment, Land Use and Urban Design Chapter - Public Hearing
Recommended Action
Public Hearing; no action required.
Report
Issue:
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to receive testimony about proposed text amendment of the Land Use and Urban Design chapter of the comprehensive plan related to design review.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia adopted a new comprehensive plan in December 2014. It was based on years of public participation and input. The plan includes a chapter about Land Use and Urban Design that provides direction on the location, intensity, and form of development over a twenty year period.
Goal 6 in the Land Use and Urban Design Chapter states: Community beauty is combined with unique neighborhood identities.
Policy 6.1, which in one of the policies meant to help achieve Goal 6, directs the City to establish a design review process for commercial and mixed use development adjacent to freeways and public streets; other highly-visible, non-residential development, multifamily residential development and mobile home parks; detached homes on smaller lots and in older neighborhoods; and for properties listed on a historic register or located in a designated historic district.
This proposed text amendment would require the City to periodically update the design review process and design criteria to be consistent with the goals and policies in the comprehensive plan.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
While it is generally understood that design review is an important issue to residents and business owners, there have been no comments received directly related to this proposal at the time of writing this staff report. The written public comment period extends through Friday, June 10, 2016. Any public comments received by June 10, 2016 will be forwarded to the Planning Commission at their June 20th meeting.
Options:
Public hearing; no action required.
Financial Impact:
Resources to update the design review criteria and review process will be scheduled into the Community Planning and Development Department’s annual work plan in the future. Additional funding may be needed if it is determined that a consultant’s expertise is needed.
Attachments:
Application Packet