Title
Low Impact Development Code Revisions Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
N/A
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive the update on low impact development code revisions. Briefing only; no action requested
Report
Issue:
Last year, City Council requested that the Land Use and Environment Committee be regularly updated on the City's low impact development code revision project. The last Committee update occurred in June 2015. The Public Works and Community Planning and Development Departments will brief the Committee on the status of the project and upcoming plans for Planning Commission and Council review.
Staff Contact:
Andy Haub, P.E., Water Resources Director, Public Works, 360.753.8475
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8206
Presenter(s):
Same
Background and Analysis:
Washington State defines low impact development (LID) as a stormwater and land use management strategy that promotes infiltration and evaporation of rainfall rather than the generation of stormwater runoff. The strategy emphasizes natural resource conservation, careful site planning, and small-scale stormwater management practices that are integrated into project designs. Low impact techniques include environmentally-sensitive site design and innovative stormwater management approaches, such as narrow streets and porous pavements.
The City of Olympia is required by the State Department of Ecology to evaluate our various codes and regulations in order to "make LID the preferred and commonly used approach to site development." The Public Works and Community Planning and Development Departments assembled an LID Code Revision Work Group in February, 2014.
The LID work group has made steady progress on the project since the June, 2014 study session with City Council. Staff foresees completing the work effort in mid-2016, well ahead of the January 2017 State deadline.
Key tasks that are completed or underway include:
• Developed 22 issue papers that evaluate and provide options for potential implementation of low impact development.
• Assembled a 16-member technical workgroup to critique issue papers and conceptual code revisions. The committee is comprised of members of the local development and consulting community.
• Communicating with the public through the City's utility bill insert, webpage, and e-newsletter.
• Coordinating our work with the other three local jurisdictions.
• Working with the Utility Advisory Committee on Olympia’s proposed LID code revisions.
• Convening a small group of local citizens who have particular interest in low impact development in Olympia to discuss proposed LID code updates.
Next Steps
The Utility Advisory Committee will complete its review of LID technical and policy direction in December, culminating in a recommendation to Council and Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will begin their review in January, 2016. City Council can anticipate seeing the LID code revisions in May or June of 2016.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The LID code revisions build upon neighborhood, development and community interests in environmental protection and sustainable development. The outcomes will help guide development practices in Olympia for years to come. The City anticipates considerable community interest in the work effort.
Options:
Not applicable; briefing only
Financial Impact:
Public Works and the Community Planning and Development Departments are providing the in-house planning and technical resources for this project. Additionally, the Storm and Surface Water Utility has provided funding for consultant expertise.
Attachment(s):
None