Title
Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update - Natural Environment Chapter
Recommended Action
Discuss updated language and recommend moving the Draft Natural Environment Chapter Periodic Update to the Planning Commission for a briefing and subsequent public hearing.
Report
Issue:
Whether to accept or revise the current draft of the Natural Environment Chapter Periodic Update, developed according to input provided by City staff and the public, before bringing the Chapter to the Planning Commission for a briefing and subsequent public hearing.
Staff Contact:
Kym Foley, Environmental Habitat Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360. 570.3957
Presenters:
Kym Foley
Background and Analysis:
Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update - General
Olympia is updating its Comprehensive Plan. This update will look out to year 2045 to show, among other things, how the City will accommodate new population and employment growth. It is also an opportunity to make sure the Plan and Development Regulations meet current state requirements that may have changed since the last major update of the Plan. Under the Growth Management Act, Olympia is required to update its Comprehensive Plan every 10 years.
Natural Environment Chapter
The Natural Environment chapter addresses the many benefits of a thriving natural environment and the ways we can work together to keep it healthy. From community-based habitat stewardship opportunities to regulations protecting critical areas and wildlife from the impacts of development, the goals and policies outlined in this chapter aim to promote both human well-being and environmental health.
Summary of Key Proposed Updates
• Mission/Vision/Values: Shift focus from ‘natural beauty’ to environmental health, sustainability and community well-being. Add language acknowledging the cultural importance of the natural environment.
• Urban Forestry: Recommend development of an Urban Forest Management Plan to guide goals, policies and actions for a healthy and resilient urban forest. Include tree canopy goals to help strike a balance between benefits of the urban forest and needs related to housing and economic development.
• Stormwater Management: Update guidance to promote regional facilities that capture and treat runoff from multiple properties or roadways; explore private-public-partnerships to encourage multi-benefit, nature-based (“green”) stormwater infrastructure in development and redevelopment projects; develop prioritization tools to address roadway pollution with the greatest impact to salmon populations. Note: Some updates relating to stormwater have been moved to the Utilities chapter.
• Climate: Per new state legislation, a separate chapter on Climate is being developed as part of this Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. Most topics relating to climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience will either be moved from the Environment chapter to the new Climate chapter, or have language represented in both (and other) chapters.
• Equity and Environmental Justice: Improve policies and prioritization strategies to ensure investments in environmental programs and projects reach communities most in need of associated benefits.
• Workforce Development: Establish or grow programming to create more pathways into “green” careers.
• Tribal Connections: Incorporate Indigenous knowledge and stewardship practices, cultural connections to the land, and outcomes related to tribal treaty rights.
• Capitol Lake Estuary Restoration Project: Remain engaged as a key stakeholder through future phases of planning and implementation.
• Shoreline Master Program: Olympia’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is included as part of the Natural Environment Comprehensive Plan chapter. The SMP was updated in 2021, which will be reflected in the overall chapter update.
Climate Analysis:
Each year we learn more about climate change and continue to experience its impacts in new and challenging ways. Unprecedented heat and flooding events in the last two years are just two examples of the ways Olympia needs to build resilience and adaptation strategies that were not as prevalent when the Comprehensive Plan was initially developed. With this 10-year periodic update to the Plan, a new Climate chapter will be created, and will include many goals and policies that overlap with the Natural Environment chapter and will be refined over the next 12 months. Overall, citywide goals and policies that address environmental health often have the added potential of increasing Olympia’s ability to adapt to a changing climate. For example, identifying areas where strategic tree planting or preservation will mitigate urban heat islands and reduce heat-related illnesses. Accommodating population growth and associated development while addressing climate-related challenges equitably and economically will be a priority during the update, specific to the Natural Environment and in coordination with other related chapters.
Equity Analysis:
Equity considerations will be integrated throughout all chapters during the update of the Comprehensive Plan. During each stage of the Natural Environment chapter update process, staff have considered those who would benefit and those who would be burdened by each goal, policy and strategic direction to inform how such goals, policies and strategic direction can be made more equitable. Additionally, the Comprehensive Plan update includes a public engagement component to promote transparency and provide representation across Olympia communities throughout the process. This will be supported by the Thurston Stormwater Equity Index, which provides basic socio-economic, public health and environmental information on Olympia’s overburdened and vulnerable communities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
When the Natural Environment chapter had its last overhaul in 2014, it was developed largely based on guidance provided by the community. Many of the goals and policies remain the same or are rooted in the mission, vision and values established during that time. Staff once again turned to the community to guide recommendations for this periodic update, using various methods of soliciting input. These included a digital survey and materials for review on the Engage Olympia website, two public meetings, tabling and workshops held at community events, and presentations to City advisory committees such as the Utility Advisory Committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
Options:
Accept the Draft Natural Environment Chapter Periodic Update and recommend moving the chapter forward to the Planning Commission for a briefing and subsequent public hearing or provide feedback with recommendations for additional edits to be made.
Financial Impact:
The Comprehensive Plan establishes the strategic direction for the City of Olympia over a 20-year period. Funding for the implementation of the Environment Chapter comes from a wide range of sources which vary by department. In particular, all capital projects and grant-funded work benefit greatly from a Comprehensive Plan that supports related Citywide goals and policy directives, increasing Olympia’s ability implement the Plan.
Attachments:
Draft Natural Environment Chapter Periodic Update w/Tracked Changes
Draft Natural Environment Chapter Periodic Update - Clean Version
Community Engagement Summary