Title
Comprehensive Plan Update Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter - Public Hearing
Recommended Action
Conduct a public hearing and move to approve a recommendation of the updated Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of Comprehensive Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recommend approval of an updated Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of Comprehensive Plan.
Staff Contact:
Sylvana Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning and Maintenance, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.753.80668
Presenter(s):
Sylvana Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning and Maintenance
Background and Analysis:
The Comprehensive Plan describes the community's long-term vision and goals, looking out twenty years into the future. Olympia first adopted a Comprehensive Plan over fifty years ago.
The Comprehensive Plan covers the area of the Olympia City Limits and the urban growth area. It covers issues like housing, land use, transportation, parks and open spaces, utilities and public services, and the economy. It also reflects community values, such as public participation, addressing climate change, and tree preservation.
The Comprehensive Plan is the adopted vision for how and where growth will occur and how our community will be served with utilities, infrastructure, and public services.
Updates to the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter are a result of:
• 2022 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan (Adopted Master Plan)
• Growth Management Act requirements
• Public comments (emails, surveys, public meetings)
• OPC & PRAC comments
• Staff comments
• City of Lacey and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) comments
Climate Analysis:
The 2025 Comprehensive Plan addresses Climate Change in each chapter as well as a chapter dedicated to the City’s overall goals and policies for climate resilience and mitigation.
Equity Analysis:
The 2025 Comprehensive Plan addresses Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in each chapter. The proposed Parks, Arts and Recreation chapter has goals and policies regarding equity issues that were adopted in the 2022 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Olympia Community has shown an interest through a variety of public engagement opportunities, which has resulted in various updates throughout the chapter.
Options:
1. Hold a public hearing and motion to approve the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan as written. Direct the Chair to write a letter of recommendation to City Council.
2. Hold a public hearing and motion to approve the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, with modifications. Direct the Chair to write a letter of recommendation to City Council
3. Hold a public hearing and recommend not modifying the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.
Financial Impact:
The financial impact of updating the PAR Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan has been absorbed by department budgets. The financial costs associated with implementation of proposed goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan are examined in more detail in master plans and strategic plans, such as the Capital Investment Strategy, Capital Facilities Plan and Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan.
If the Comprehensive Plan is not adopted as scheduled in 2025, the result would put the City of Olympia out of compliance with the GMA, which would jeopardize many different funding sources, including grants.
Attachments:
Draft Chapter in Track Changes
Comments Spreadsheet