Title
Low Impact Development (LID) Code Revisions - Deliberation
Recommended Action
Draft a letter to Council regarding the proposed low impact development stormwater amendments to Olympia’s development codes.
Report
Issue:
Planning Commission will deliberate on the proposed LID-related revisions to Olympia’s development codes and make a recommendation to City Council.
Staff Contact:
Laura Keehan, Senior Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Nicole Floyd, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3768
Presenter(s):
Eric Christensen, Planning and Engineering Manager, Public Works Water Resources
Laura Keehan, Senior Planner, Public Works Water Resources
Nicole Floyd, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
During early 2016, Planning Commission will review and discuss proposed low impact development stormwater updates to Olympia’s development codes. Specifically this includes the Olympia Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual (DDECM), and portions of the Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) and Olympia Municipal Code (OMC) (see hyperlink to the City’s LID Code website, attached).
Planning Commission will forward a recommendation to City Council in March 2016. City Council anticipates adopting LID code revisions in July 2016, six months prior to the State mandated deadline of December 31, 2016 to make LID the preferred and commonly-used approach to site development.
Staff requests the Planning Commission address in their letter to Council the appropriateness of the proposed LID code revisions, and suggest alternative approaches or language if they see fit.
Next Steps
Six Planning Commission meetings between January and March are reserved for the Commission’s review and recommendation on low impact development code revisions. Below is the remaining schedule.
• March 7: Deliberation
• March 21: Conclude deliberation and make recommendation to Council
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The LID code revisions build upon neighborhood, development and community interests in environmental protection and sustainable development. The outcomes will help guide development practices in Olympia for years to come.
A written public comment period ran from January 4, 2016 through February 12, 2016. Written comments received were attached to the Commission’s February 1st staff report.
Options:
1. Recommend that City Council adopt the code amendments as proposed
2. Recommend that City Council adopt the code amendments as modified by the Planning Commission
3. Recommend that the development codes are not amended for LID
Financial Impact:
Public Works and Community Planning and Development are providing the in-house planning and technical resources for the project. Additionally, the Storm and Surface Water Utility funded outside consultant support.