Title
Planning Commission's Downtown Briefings
Recommended Action
Discuss options for each briefing and provide direction to staff
Report
Issue:
The Planning Commission is hosting 3 informational briefings about downtown in early 2015. Tonight they will narrow the focus for each session.
Staff Contact:
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler
Background and Analysis:
At the October 20, and November 3 meetings, the Planning Commission chose 3 topics related to downtown for the focus of their 2015 downtown briefings:
1. Economic Challenges & Opportunities
2. Natural Constraints
3. Transportation/Parking
The Commission also discussed further data needs for each topic and the desired format for each briefing (Attachment 2).
The next step is to narrow down the focus of each meeting. This will be necessary in order to stay consistent with the requested format (45-60 minutes, 1-2 speakers, etc.) Options for each briefing are provided in Attachment 1. Direction from the Commission this evening will enable staff to schedule the speakers and dates.
Some requested information has been previously provided to the public, such as the ECONorthwest Downtown Olympia Community Renewal Area Feasibility Study and Downtown Olympia Market Conditions summary. Thus, staff recommends requested data that has already been succinctly laid out in previous public reports be attached to each briefing agenda, while each speaker presentation be focused on a specific topic.
The information below was previously provided.
The Planning Commission's 2014-2015 Work Plan includes 1-3 briefings about downtown. A purpose for these briefings is for Commissioners and public in attendance to increase their awareness about Downtown issues and history as the City prepares for a Downtown planning process in 2015.
The City Council has tentatively scheduled the first 6 months of 2015 for Downtown Plan scoping, followed by 12 months of planning and public process. Although the Council has not passed a budget for 2015, they have indicated this project is a high priority. The Council has not yet determined what the role of the Planning Commission or other advisory boards will be in the scoping or planning process.
In the meantime, the Commission will move forward with planning for their downtown briefings, which are to occur during the first quarter of 2015. In these briefings, staff and potentially other community experts will cover existing knowledge and history about selected downtown subjects. The Commission will choose up to three topics to explore. These briefings will not incur studies for new information - although information needs may be highlighted during subsequent discussion; requests for new information will be determined by City Council during the scoping process.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The public is strongly encouraged to attend these information briefings about downtown, as much of the content relates to expressed public interests - schedule is to be announced.
Options:
See Attachment 1. Discuss the options and provide direction to staff.
Financial Impact:
Included in base budget