Title
Neighborhood Centers - Presentation Materials Work Session
Report
Issue:
On October 5, the Commission discussed the general goals and purposes of their upcoming public outreach effort regarding neighborhood centers. This evening, the Commission’s work group will present a final version of the proposed slideshow.
Presenter:
Introduction: Amy Buckler, Senior Planner, abuckler@ci.olympia.wa.us <mailto:abuckler@ci.olympia.wa.us>, (360) 570-5847
Presentation: Carole Richmond, Planning Commission Chair
Background and Analysis:
Neighborhood Centers are small walk- and transit-friendly business clusters within residential neighborhoods that serve the day-to-day retail and service needs of local residents and foster community interaction. These centers are important to community-wide goals of increasing walkability, reducing our ‘carbon footprint,’ improving human health, and fostering neighborhood connections and resiliency.
The City has had a policy of encouraging neighborhood centers for over 20 years, but with some exceptions these have not developed as described in the Comprehensive Plan. A recent policy update would also allow for medium density residential uses in or around centers. The Plan identifies17 sites for neighborhood scale retail and mixed uses. Most of the 17 sites are located where the primary surrounding land use is single-family residential. The conditions of these sites vary from thriving mixed-use areas to vacant lands.
To implement the Plan, the Olympia Planning Commission and staff are working to identify appropriate revisions of Olympia’s ‘neighborhood center’ and ‘neighborhood retail’ development codes. A work group of Commissioners have been working with staff to draft a slideshow and supporting materials. On September 21, the Commission viewed a draft slide-show and recommended revisions. On October 5 the Commission continued a discussion about the general goals and purposes of their upcoming public outreach effort regarding neighborhood centers. Tonight, the Commission’s work group for this effort will present the final materials.
Please see the September 21, 2015 staff report for more information.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
In 2014, the Commission gathered input about the public’s desires, and the barriers to neighborhood center development. The results are available on the City’s neighborhood center project webpage (link is attachment 3).
Financial Impact:
Up to $15,000 has been allocated for consultant and graphic work.