Title
Approval of an Ordinance Adopting the 2023 Engineering Design and Development Standards Update
Recommended Action
Land Use and Environment Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use & Environment Committee reviewed and concurred with the proposed 2023 Engineering Design and Development Standards update.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve an Ordinance adopting amendments to the Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) and related changes to the Olympia Municipal Code on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an Ordinance adopting 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(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Annually, the City reviews and updates the Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) to address changes in regulations or standards, improve consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, and add clarity. The Land Use and Environment Committee reviewed the proposed changes on August 24, 2023. A public hearing was held on December 5, 2023, on the proposed changes.
Climate Analysis:
Several of the substantive changes support the City’s Climate Mitigation Strategies. One of these, Frontage Improvement Thresholds, reduces the scope and cost of required frontage improvements for change of use, remodels, and tenant improvements for smaller projects. This encourages reuse of existing, developed properties, supporting urban density, and reducing urban sprawl.
Another substantive change, Protected Bike Lanes, established standards for separated and enhanced bike lanes that further encourage the use of bicycles and related, non-motorized modes of transportation. This will increase the efficiency of the transportation system and reduce greenhouse gases, as community members are more likely to use bicycles instead of motorized vehicles.
Clarifying the standards associated with school walking routes should also support a reduction in motorized vehicle use.
Equity Analysis:
The proposed changes do not focus on a particular area in the City, nor any particular group. However, several of the substantive changes, such as Frontage Improvement Thresholds and Protected Bike Lanes (mentioned above) are anticipated to have a positive impact on those groups in our community that are economically disadvantaged. Changes to Frontage Improvement Thresholds are more likely to benefit small and new businesses by reducing initial costs to set up a “storefront”.
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 closer to the City’s Comprehensive Plan Action Plan goal of providing sustainable infrastructure.
Financial Impact:
Most of the proposed changes should not result in notable increases to the costs of private development or public work projects. However, changes to thresholds for frontage improvements and private streets in mobile home parks should end up costing less to owners and developers.
Options:
1. Approve the Ordinance adopting amendments to the EDDS and related changes to the Olympia Municipal Code on second reading. The most recent standards for the City’s utilities and transportation systems will apply to development and Public Works projects.
2. Delay approving an Ordinance adopting amendments to the EDDS and related changes to the Olympia Municipal Code 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.
3. Do not approve an Ordinance adopting amendments to the EDDS and related changes to the Olympia Municipal Code.
Attachments:
Ordinance
Engineering Design and Development Standards Webpage