Title
Discussion of 2024 Work Plan
Recommended Action
Discussion only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Continue updating the Commission’s work plan for 2024.
Staff Contact:
Holly Borth, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8427, hborth@ci.olympia.wa.us <mailto:hborth@ci.olympia.wa.us>
Presenter(s):
N/A
Background and Analysis:
Each year the Commission updates its work plan for coming year and provides a draft annual work plan to the Community Livability and Safety Committee of the City Council for review in March. The draft work plan is due in late February. The Commission will have January and February meetings to discuss and make revisions for 2024. Discussion will include consideration of subcommittees, subcommittee roles and tasks, and assignment of commissioners to each of the subcommittees.
Climate Analysis:
The greenest building is the one already built. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) reports that “…all kinds of historic buildings and neighborhoods, archaeological sites, Tribal sites and resources, and culturally important landscapes (both designed and natural) throughout the country (collectively, “historic properties”), as well as associated intangible cultural heritage, are at risk from a broad range of potential climate impacts, including sea level rise; extreme weather events; increased
wildfires; drought; melting permafrost and erosion; and temperature changes. These impacts are both direct and cumulative, and threaten not only historic properties but also the terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna associated with historically and culturally important places. The loss of or damage to historic properties from such climate impacts can irrevocably change a community’s sense of place and erode people’s sense of personal identity and cultural stability…About 39 percent of global carbon emissions come from the construction and operation of buildings. This impact can be reduced by reusing existing buildings, thus avoiding the embodied carbon emissions inherent in new construction, including the carbon associated with the manufacturing and transportation of new materials and the removal and disposal of building materials from demolished buildings. Reuse of existing buildings in urban areas also contributes to climate change mitigation by promoting density, helping to combat urban sprawl and its attendant negative environmental impacts… Since approximately 40 percent of America’s building stock is at least 50 years old, it is critical that reuse and energy retrofit of older and historic buildings (including enhanced electrification and increased energy efficiency standards) be fundamental priorities.” Promoting historic preservation encourages the reuse of Olympia’s building stock, thus proactively aiding to the slow the tide of climate change in the City and beyond.
Equity Analysis:
The ACHP also reports that: “…historic properties important to disadvantaged and underserved communities may be disproportionately affected by climate change and that such communities often are ill-equipped to undertake needed interventions.” The changing demographics of America pose opportunities as well as challenges for Olympia’s historic preservation programming. The diversity of cultures in our city shape and enrich the community experience, and the local government can continue to encourage wider involvement and representation in determining what historic sites are
worthy of recognition and preservation; how history and cultural heritage should be valued, interpreted, and preserved; and how we can ensure the American public as a whole can take advantage of the programs and tools created under federal, state, and local laws - in particular, OMC 18.12.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
1. Discuss the Commission’s 2024 work plan.
2. Do not discussion the Commission’s 2024 work plan.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
2023 work plan
2024 draft work plan
2024 draft long range plan