Title
Public Hearing and Recommendation on Olympia School District's Capital Facilities Plan (CFP)
Recommended Action
Following the public hearing, move to make any final changes and approve the recommendation letter.
Report
Issue:
The Commission will hold a public hearing and deliberate on a final recommendation to the City Council regarding the Olympia School District's Capital Facilities Plan (CFP.) In order to provide a timely recommendation to the City Council, the Planning Commission needs to make a final recommendation tonight. The City Council has left the record open until November 19, and expects to receive the Commission's letter that evening. The City Council will make a final recommendation on the CFP in December.
In addition to testifying before the Commission at the public hearing, the public may submit written comments to the staff contact below. Written comments will be accepted until the Commission closes this business item tonight; however, written comments submitted by Friday, November 15 at 3:00 pm will be forwarded to the Commission for their review prior to the meeting.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.5847
Presenter(s):
Chair Roger Horn
Background and Analysis:
Every year, the Planning Commission holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation on the City's 6-year CFP. The deliverable is a letter of recommendation to the City Council in time for their budget deliberations.
The City of Olympia annually adopts the Olympia School District's CFP as part of the City of Olympia's CFP. This is required by statute since the City collects school impact fees on behalf of the District. The City's role in reviewing the District's CFP is to assure consistency with our Comprehensive Plan.
During the Commission's review of the City of Olympia's CFP earlier this year, the District had provided a draft, but not a final CFP, to the City. After both OPC and Council had completed their public hearings, and following approval by the Olympia School Board, the District submitted their CFP to the City on October 16. The final version includes a significant increase in the school impact fee for multi-family structures - enough of a change from the previous hearing draft to warrant a need for the public to have an opportunity to comment.
Chairs Horn and Parker reviewed the District's CFP, met with District representative Jennifer Priddy on October 31, and drafted a recommendation letter (Attachment 2) for the full Commission's consideration. The full Commission reviewed the draft letter and District's final CFP on November 4, 2013. The public will have an opportunity to testify this evening before the Commission makes their final recommendation.
The Planning Commission held public hearings on the City's Preliminary CFP on August 5 and October 7. The Finance Subcommittee met to review the Preliminary CFP on 7/1, 7/31, 8/5 (with City staff), 8/21, 8/28, and 9/12. The full Commission deliberated on September 9 and 23, October 7, and November 4, 2013.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
At this time, the Planning Commission has not received any formal comments on the District's CFP.
Options:
Following the public hearing, move to make any final changes and approve the recommendation letter.
Financial Impact:
Review of the CFP is included in the base budget.