Title
Comprehensive Plan Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter Recommendation
Recommended Action
Recommend Approval of proposed PAR Chapter of Comprehensive Plan to City Council
Report
Issue:
Approval of updated PAR Chapter of Comp Plan.
Staff Contact:
Sylvana Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning and Maintenance, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.753.8068
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 Adopted Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan
• Growth Management Act requirements
• Public comments (emails, surveys, public meetings)
• Olympia Planning Commission comments
• Staff 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 Parks, Arts and Recreation has goals and policies 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. Motion to approve the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan as written and direct the Chair to write a letter of recommendation to Olympia Planning Commission (OPC) and City Council.
2. Motion to approve the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan with the following modifications….and direct the Chair to write a letter of recommendation to OPC and City Council.
3. Do not approve the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan resulting in potential non-compliance with the GMA and jeopardizing scoring with state and federal grants such as the Recreation and Conservation Office.
Financial Impact:
The financial impact of updating the Comprehensive Plan has been absorbed by city staff. 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.
Attachments:
Power Point
Spread Sheet