Title
Status Report and Discussion of Next Steps for Comprehensive Plan Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendations:
Not yet available; see below.
City Manager Recommendation:
Staff seeks Council consensus regarding next steps in Comprehensive Plan update review and deliberation; no formal action required.
Report
Issue:
On August 5, 2014, the Council's Comprehensive Plan update hearing record closed. On August 12 the Council directed that staff provide clarifying text regarding certain aspects of the proposed Plan, referred energy policies of the Plan to the Land Use and Environment Committee and the economy chapter to the Community Economic Revitalization Committee, and requested that study sessions be scheduled regarding six other topics. This report summarizes the status and proposed schedule for these tasks.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development Department, 360.753.8206
Presenter:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development Department
Background and Analysis:
The City Council's action of August 12 following the public hearing set the stage for further review and deliberation regarding the proposed Comprehensive Plan update. Staff now seeks preliminary acceptance of:
1) the attached clarifications to the City Council Public Hearing Draft, and
2) confirmation of the study session schedule below.
Clarifications
In summary, on August 12 the City Council directed staff to present clarifying text regarding:
1. Expansion of Introduction
2. Vision and Values emphasis of Capital City identity
3. Protection of priority habitats and species
4. Relationship of Comprehensive Plan to critical areas regulations
5. Utilities
6. Sea level rise
7. Relationship of parks and community events to tourism
8. Addressing homelessness in housing section
The staff's specific proposals regarding each of these are attached to this report.
[Note: At its August 12 meeting, the City Council accepted clarifying text regarding Thurston County's updated buildable lands report and safety aspects of new connected streets.]
Study Sessions
The Council also directed that study sessions be scheduled for six topics. The proposed schedule is:
Study session at 7:00 p.m., on September 16;
· Capitol Lake
· Decatur Street and 16th Avenue (Fern) street connections
· Alleys
· Scenic Views and related Waterfront issues
Study session at 5:30 p.m., on October 7;
· Land Use issues identified in August 12 staff report
Study session at 7:00 p.m. on October 7;
· Urban Corridors
In addition, the Council referred policies related to solar and other 'alternative' energy to the Land Use and Environment Committee and issues related to the economy chapter to the Community Economic Revitalization Committee. The LUEC discussed solar and energy issues at its August 28 meeting. The CERC is scheduled to discuss the economy chapter at its September 18 meeting.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
During the last five years many members of the public have participated in and commented on this periodic update of the Comprehensive Plan. The comments received at the Council's public hearing are available to the Council and public to view on the City's website.
Options:
1. Accept attached clarifications and proceed with work session schedule as described above.
2. Add additional topics for clarification, work sessions, or other proceedings.
3. Propose an alternative deliberation process.
Financial Impact:
None; this periodic Comprehensive Plan update is part of 2014 budget.