Title
Utilities and Natural Environment Chapters of the City of Olympia Comprehensive Plan Update
Recommended Action
Briefing only. No action required.
Report
Issue:
Briefing on process changes to the update of the Utilities and Natural Environment chapters of the City of Olympia Comprehensive Plan.
Staff Contacts:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works Water Resources and Drinking Water Utility, 360.753.8321
Ron Jones, Senior Planner, Public Works Waste Resources, 360.753.8509
Kym Foley, Environmental Habitat Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360. 570.3957
Presenter:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor
Background and Analysis:
Staff presented the draft Utilities and Natural Environment chapters of the City of Olympia Comprehensive Plan to the UAC in February 2024 and received support from the UAC for moving the chapters forward in the review process. Since the February meeting, changes to the Comprehensive Plan update process have impacted the chapters review process as was presented to the UAC.
During the May briefing, staff will update the UAC on recent input received on the chapters and the updated review process.
Utilities Chapter
The Utilities Chapter of the City’s Comprehensive Plan addresses both city-owned and privately run utilities and describes the ways utilities implement the growth directives contained in the Comprehensive Plan.
Natural Environment Chapter
The Natural Environment chapter addresses the many benefits of a thriving natural environment and the ways we can work together to keep it healthy. From community-based habitat stewardship opportunities to regulations protecting critical areas and wildlife from the impacts of development, the goals and policies outlined in this chapter aim to promote both human well-being and environmental health.
Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update - General
Under the Washington State Growth Management Act, Olympia is required to update its Comprehensive Plan every 10 years. Olympia will look out to year 2045 to show, among other things, how the City will accommodate new population and employment growth. It is also an opportunity to make sure the Comprehensive Plan and the City’s Development Regulations meet current state requirements that may have changed since the last major update of the Plan. This update process has been named “Olympia 2045”.
Based on population projections developed by the Washington State Department of Commerce and allocated to Olympia through a regional process overseen by the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC), Olympia and its urban growth area (UGA) is expected to grow by almost 21,000 new residents by 2045. To accommodate this growth,13,500 new housing units are expected.
The Comprehensive Plan contains the following chapters, in addition to the Utilities Chapter:
• Community Values & Vision
• Public Participation & Partners
• Natural Environment
• Land Use & Urban Design
• Housing
• Transportation
• Parks, Arts and Recreation
• Economy
• Public Safety
• Capital Facilities
• Climate Change & Resiliency Sub-element - New 2023 Requirement
Climate Analysis:
All four City-owned utilities currently contribute to the City’s overall climate goals through current strategies, actions and programs including, but not limited to: waste prevention messaging; supporting legislative initiatives and improving recycling capture at multi-family and mixed-use buildings; green power purchase; water conservation goals and messaging; inflow and infiltration reduction; and, property purchase and habitat preservation programs. The four City-owned utilities will continue to analyze ways to support reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change, guided by the goals and policies contained in the Comprehensive Plan and individual utility management plans.
Each year we learn more about climate change and continue to experience its impacts in new and challenging ways. Unprecedented heat and flooding events in the last two years are just two examples of the ways Olympia needs to build resilience and adaptation strategies that were not as prevalent when the Comprehensive Plan was initially developed. With this 10-year periodic update to the Plan, a new Climate chapter will be created, and will include many goals and policies that overlap with the Natural Environment chapter and will be refined over the next 12 months. Overall, citywide goals and policies that address environmental health often have the added potential of increasing Olympia’s ability to adapt to a changing climate. For example, identifying areas where strategic tree planting or preservation will mitigate urban heat islands and reduce heat-related illnesses. Accommodating population growth and associated development while addressing climate-related challenges equitably and economically will be a priority during the update, specific to the Natural Environment and in coordination with other related chapters.
Equity Analysis:
Goals, policies and the strategic direction established through the Comprehensive Plan for City-owned utilities have the potential to both benefit and burden people who live, work, visit, pay utility bills, develop property in Olympia or become utility customers/rate payers in the future. The mission of all three water-related utilities (Wastewater, Storm and Surface Water and Drinking Water) includes prioritizing public and environmental health on behalf of all customers, regardless of who "pays the bill". Additionally, all three water-related utilities collect and use data on the condition of each utility's infrastructure to make maintenance, renewal and replacement decisions. Condition data helps each utility to make equitable decisions since it focuses work toward infrastructure most in need of maintenance, renewal or replacement. Further, all four City-owned utilities implement utility bill assistance programs for low-income disabled or low-income over age 62. Finally, all four City-owned utilities are in the business of providing high-quality and cost-effective service to all existing and future customers located within each utility's respective service area consistent with the growth and development objectives of the City's Comprehensive Plan. However, regardless of current practices, all four City-owned utilities would benefit from continuing to use information from the in-house developed tool, the Stormwater Equity Index, to focus efforts and resources to ensure infrastructure and program service decisions are made which reduce service disparities and support equitable outcomes consistent with the goals and policies contained in the Comprehensive Plan and individual utility management plans.
Equity considerations will be integrated throughout all chapters during the update of the Comprehensive Plan. During each stage of the Natural Environment chapter update process, staff have considered those who would benefit and those who would be burdened by each goal, policy and strategic direction to inform how such goals, policies and strategic direction can be made more equitable. Additionally, the Comprehensive Plan update includes a public engagement component to promote transparency and provide representation across Olympia communities throughout the process. This will be supported by the Thurston Stormwater Equity Index, which provides basic socio-economic, public health and environmental information on Olympia’s overburdened and vulnerable communities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
City-owned utilities provide essential public health services to residential and commercial customers in our service area. The results of a May 2023 Community Values and Vision survey for the Olympia 2045 project were reviewed by the UAC as the Utilities chapter’s value and vision statements were discussed and revised. As the Olympia 2045 project continues, additional opportunities for community input and involvement will occur.
When the Natural Environment chapter had its last overhaul in 2014, it was developed largely based on guidance provided by the community. Many of the goals and policies remain the same or are rooted in the mission, vision and values established during that time. Staff once again turned to the community to guide recommendations for this periodic update, using various methods of soliciting input. These included a digital survey and materials for review on the Engage Olympia website, two public meetings, tabling and workshops held at community events, and presentations to City advisory committees such as the Utility Advisory Committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
Options:
Information only.
Financial Impact:
None at this time. The Comprehensive Plan establishes the strategic direction for the City of Olympia over a 20-year period. Funding for the implementation of the Utilities and Environment chapters comes from a wide range of sources which vary by department. In particular, all capital projects and grant-funded work benefit greatly from a Comprehensive Plan that supports related Citywide goals and policy directives, increasing Olympia’s ability implement the Plan.
Attachments:
None