Title
Explanation & Attachments
Report
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, (360) 570-5847, abuckler@ci.olympia.wa.us <mailto:abuckler@ci.olympia.wa.us>
Background:
We have just completed step 2 of the process to form Olympia’s Downtown Strategy (attachment 1), and a framework to guide future steps has taken shape.
REVIEW GUIDING FRAMEWORK
On April 26, the City Council held a study session with the staff and consultant team to review the draft framework that has taken shape to guide future steps. The presentation was well-received by the City Council, and the Council will provide any additional direction at their business meeting on May 10.
The framework (attachments 4, 5 & 6) reflects priorities that have evolved out of the public input and analysis completed thus far. The character areas have been well vetted with the community and provide a picture of the unique function and character people to be created or enhanced in various areas of downtown - a more objective vision upon which to build implementation steps. The chart represents a work in progress, what tasks are yet to be completed in 2016 and some potential actions for future years that have arisen from the process. The draft transportation investment map (attachment 7) provides guidance when forming design concepts for streets, and sets the stage for an anticipated traffic study, potential future capital investments and for taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, such as grants or partnerships.
Updates have also been made to the set of guiding framework maps first shared with the work group in March (attachment 6). As the strategy evolves and 2016 steps are completed, these maps will be updated to reflect the priority steps for the next 6 years and will be included as a visual element within the Downtown Strategy.
At the Stakeholder Work Group meeting, staff will present an overview the framework. The aim of the presentation is to demonstrate how all the various elements of the strategy are tying together and the value of what has emerged. The presentation will also include highlights from the April 12 meeting with the Heritage Commission and April 28 Business and Development Forum.
REVIEW & DISCUSSION OF PRELIMINARY VIEWSHED ANALYSIS
The process for the viewshed analysis is described in attachment 2, and preliminary findings along with visuals are in attachment 3. The next step is for the City Council (on May 10) to provide direction views to be analyzed further. This analysis includes exploration of how views may be protected or enhanced and trade-offs to economic, housing and other goals. At the meeting, the MAKERS team will review key findings from the analysis conducted thus far, including the team’s recommendation for the list of 10 views for further analysis.
PREPARATION FOR UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS
Discussion and feedback from the work group in preparation for two upcoming public meetings:
• May 23 - Urban Design Discussion. Public meeting to present and discuss building, site and street design concepts (6 p.m., The Olympia Center)
• June 6 - Workshop #3. Public meeting to present 3D viewshed analysis and other elements of the strategy
CHANGES TO MEETING SCHEDULE OF THE STAKEHOLDER WORK GROUP
• The June 1 meeting has been cancelled
• The July meeting has been moved to Thursday, July 21, starting at 5:30 pm at the Eastside Fire Station, 100 Eastside St
• We are adding a September meeting (in place of June) - Wednesday, September 14, 6:00-8:30pm at Olympia City Hall
OTHER NEWS
Summer 2016 - Public outreach will slow down in order to provide staff and consultants time to concentrate on analysis and preparation of a draft strategy
Fall 2016 - A draft strategy will be released, and following a public open house, will be turned over to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation, leading to final adoption by City Council
To prepare for the meeting, members are asked to review the following:
• Attachment 1: Step 2 Summary Report
• Attachment 2: Process for viewshed analysis
• Attachment 3: Preliminary Viewshed Analysis Information
• Attachment 4: Character Area Maps
• Attachment 5: Guiding Framework Chart
• Attachment 6: Guiding Framework Maps
• Attachment 7: DRAFT Transportation Investment Map