Title
2025 Engineering Design & Development Standards (EDDS) Proposed Updates
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Briefing on the 2025 proposed updates to the EDDS, including the process and changes of interest to the BPAC.
Staff Contact:
Sarah Martin, Project Engineer, Public Works | Transportation, 360.753.8274
Presenter(s):
Sarah Martin
Background and Analysis:
Process
Each year, the City updates the EDDS, and one of the items on the BPAC’s work plan is to review the updates and make recommendations to the City Council or staff when appropriate. This year, City staff are proposing some changes related to pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure. We will describe the changes during the briefing.
Why the EDDS are important
New infrastructure in Olympia gets built in two ways:
• By the City itself through the capital projects listed in the Capital Facilities Plan.
• By private developers, according to the City’s requirements. This is how many of the sidewalks, bike lanes, and streets have been built in Olympia over the years.
The EDDS are where the City’s requirements for new infrastructure are found. They guide the design and construction of transportation, drinking water, reclaimed water, sewer, stormwater, and solid waste collection systems. They are also the technical interpretation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and its various master plans.
Ensuring that the infrastructure is both safe and standard is a crucial role of City government.
Why we update them
We update the EDDS annually to:
• Implement the goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan and other Council-approved plans,
• Reflect changes to the Olympia Municipal Code, particularly the building code,
• Address changes in equipment and materials,
• Integrate new best practices in design and improvements in technology, and
• Clarify information and requirements described in the text and shown on standard drawings.
How to prepare for the meeting
We have included a link to Chapter 4, the Transportation chapter of the EDDS, if any member would like to review it. The EDDS are detailed, technical, and may be difficult to understand. However, taking a broad look at the chapter may help members understand the presentation more clearly.
Options:
Option 1: provide comments to staff verbally during this meeting.
Option 2: provide comments to the City Council in a letter to be submitted with the EDDS updates. This will likely involve creating a subcommittee to draft it.
Financial Impact:
Most of the proposed changes should not result in notable increases to the costs of private development or public work projects. Some may result in lower costs.
Attachments:
Link to EDDS Chapter 4, Transportation