Title
Code Amendments for the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan - Briefing
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the draft code amendments related to the draft Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan periodic update.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Planning Manager, Community Planning and Economic Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Planning Manager
Background and Analysis:
Under Washington State’s Growth Management Act, the City of Olympia is required to complete a periodic update of its Comprehensive Plan at least once every ten years. This update is to be completed by December 31, 2025, and it includes a requirement to update development regulations. Development regulations or “codes” are part of the Olympia Municipal Code, such as the zoning provisions of Title 18, Unified Development Code.
When a new or amended Comprehensive Plan is adopted, cities must take steps to ensure the development regulations are consistent with the Plan. Additionally, cities must update any regulations that are not consistent with new or amended state laws that have been adopted since the previous periodic update.
The Washington State Department of Commerce prepares a checklist for local governments use in determining what, if any, development regulation updates are needed. For the most part, the City of Olympia has been addressing these changes on a regular basis. However, some of the more recent requirements need to be addressed.
Climate Analysis:
Most of these proposed amendments are relatively minor, such as updating a definition or clarifying the applicability of transportation concurrency requirements to state facilities, and do not directly have a tie to greenhouse gas emissions. However, the provisions around neighborhood centers could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting shorter transportation trips and potentially more active forms of transportation (walking or rolling, bicycling) to reach nearby, neighborhood-scale commercial uses within neighborhoods.
Equity Analysis:
This group of proposed code amendments are primarily needed to meet state requirements or to maintain consistency between the Comprehensive Plan and the City’s development regulations. In theory, these amendments apply equally across the City. The Plan is being amended to include a broader approach to equity and to remove any systemic barriers to equity for all people.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Public comments have been solicited and considered as each of the comprehensive plan chapters were being updated and reviewed. The proposed amendments will be sent to all “parties of record” so they can comment on this part of the update as well.
Options:
1. Receive a briefing on the proposed code amendments that are part of the periodic update under the Growth Management Act.
2. Receive a briefing on the proposed code amendments that are part of the periodic update under the Growth Management Act and provide guidance to staff on suggested revisions.
3. Do not receive a briefing on the proposed code amendments that are part of the periodic update under the Growth Management Act.
Financial Impact:
This work is being funded, in part, by a Periodic Update Grant in the amount of $175,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Attachments:
Proposed Amendments