City of Olympia - File #: 13-0620

• File #: 13-0620
• Version: 2
• Type: ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 8/7/2013
• In control: City Council
• Agenda date: 8/20/2013
• Final action: 8/20/2013
• Title: Agenda Item: Approval of Ordinance Amending OMC 18.76010 - Design Review Board Membership

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
8/20/2013	2	City Council	adopted on second reading	Pass
8/13/2013	1	City Council	approved on first reading and moved to second reading	Pass

Title

Agenda Item:

Approval of Ordinance Amending OMC 18.76010 - Design Review Board Membership

Body

Issue:

Shall Municipal Code be amended to change the current Heritage Commission member to a citizen-at-large appointed by the City Council?

Committee Recommendation:

General Government Committee recommends the change.  Also attached are letters of support from chairs of the Design Review Board and Heritage Commission.

City Manager's Recommendation:

Move to approve on second reading the Ordinance amending OMC 18.76.010, Design Review Board Membership.

Staff Contact:

Cathie Butler, Communications Manager, 360.753.8361

Presenter(s):

None. Consent Calendar Item.

Background and Analysis - same information as provided with 1^st reading staff report.

The Heritage Commission requests a change to membership of the Design Review Board (DRB) so that the position currently held by a member of the Heritage Commission is appointed directly by the City Council from the community at large.  This issue was briefing discussed by City Council its last meeting.  Councilmembers expressed support for the proposed amendment and suggested that General Government Committee attempt to fill the position with someone who has a historic preservation or historic architecture background, if possible.

The attached amendment changes the former Heritage Commission appointment on the DRB to a Council appointment. With this change, Council will directly appoint 8 of the 9 DRB members.  The Planning Commission will continue to appoint one of its members to the DRB. To allow for flexibility given applicant qualifications, the ordinance does not mandate specific qualifications for this new citizen-at-large position; although the intent of General Government Committee is to recruit for someone with a heritage background.

As required by OMC 18.76.180, a Joint Review Committee of the DRB and Heritage Commission will still review projects involving structures within areas listed on the Washington Heritage Register, the National Register of Historic Places, or the Olympia Heritage Register.

Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):

None known.

Options:

1. Approve the recommended ordinance.
2. Do not approve the ordinance.

Financial Impact:

None.