Title
Approval of a Resolution Accepting the Climate Action and Resilience Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use and Environment Committee reviewed the draft Olympia 2045 - Climate Action and Resilience Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and suggested minor revisions. The Committee recommended the chapter be forwarded to the full City Council for acceptance.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution accepting the Climate Action and Resilience Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution accepting the Climate Action and Resilience Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
Staff Contact:
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs, City Manager’s Office, Climate Program, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs
Natalie Weiss, Climate Resilience Coordinator
Background and Analysis:
Every 10 years, the City is required by State law to review and update its Comprehensive Plan and implementing development regulations. This update will look out to year 2045 to show, among other things, how the City will accommodate new population and employment growth. It is also an opportunity to make sure the Plan and Development Regulations meet current state requirements that have changed since the last major update of the Plan, and to ensure that the plan reflects our community values.
Each chapter is being updated separately, although staff is working diligently to ensure chapters are supportive of each other and consistent. Because chapters are being reviewed on different timelines, staff is requesting that the City Council “accept” each chapter but to refrain from adopting until all chapters are complete and any final adjustments can be made. Staff intends to bring all “accepted” chapters back to City Council in one full document for review and final action. The deadline to complete this periodic update of the Comprehensive Plan is December 31, 2025.
Summary of Changes to Chapter
The Olympia20245 Comprehensive Plan will be Olympia’s first comprehensive plan to include a Climate Action and Resilience Chapter. To capture the collaborative approach needed to address climate change, the Climate Element will be integrated throughout each chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. This effort is supported by a cross-departmental staff team (Climate Policy Advisory Team), made up of staff from the City of Olympia and the Squaxin Island Tribe.
The chapter includes existing and modified goals and policies from other chapters, as well as new goals and policies to fill gaps. The overarching goals of this chapter are to:
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduce vehicle miles traveled.
• Improve climate preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
• Maximize co-benefits and prioritize environmental justice in the development of policies/programs to achieve these goals.
The new climate chapter includes both resilience and mitigation sub-elements. The Resilience Sub-element strengthens Olympia’s capacity to prepare for, adapt to, and respond to climate-related events, by addressing the most significant climate risks to Olympia’s infrastructure, public health, and environment. The Mitigation Sub-Element focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all major sectors, focusing on goals and policies that fall within the City’s authority and direct influence. It targets Olympia’s largest sources of emissions - transportation, buildings and energy, and waste - and outlines strategies needed to achieve Olympia’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2040.
Summary of Public Process
Staff engaged the public and City advisory committees throughout the development of the Climate Element. Engagement activities included open houses, workshops, Q&A sessions, small group conversations, and two Engage Olympia surveys. Over the past year, staff also briefed the Land Use and Environment Committee, the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Social Justice and Equity Commission, the Parks, Arts and Recreation Committee, the Utility Advisory Committee, Youth Council, and Olympia Planning Commission on the Climate Element.
Community engagement was conducted over 3 separate phases.
• Phase 1 (July 2024 - February 2025): Initial outreach to learn more about community concerns and priorities related to Climate action in Olympia.
• Phase 2 (February - March 2025): Feedback on proposed goals and policies.
• Phase 3 (May - June 2025): Feedback on first full draft, including narrative.
Social Justice and Equity Commission
At the June 23, 2025 briefing to the SJEC, committee members discussed a wide range of topics related to climate action and resilience. Members commented on the need for affordability in housing retrofits so all Olympians can access climate program benefits. Committee members noted the need to maintain flexibility in commuting, especially for community members that do not live near transit lines. From their recommendations, staff amended the Climate Element to include a goal on environmental justice.
Youth Council
At the April 16, 2025 briefing to the Youth Council, members discussed how to develop an economy that aligns with young people’s values. This includes reducing waste generation and holding institutions most responsible for climate change accountable. Members expressed strong support for creating more walkable neighborhoods and retrofitting existing buildings to make better use of what we already have. They also emphasized the importance of ensuring climate action is affordable and accessible. Overall, Youth Council members shared a sense of hopelessness due to the compounding effects of rising living costs and increasing climate risks, and emphasized the importance of engaging youth in climate action.
Planning Commission Recommendation
The Olympia Planning Commission (OPC) held a public hearing on August 4, 2025. The public comment and OPC discussion centered on equitable access and distribution of tree canopy across Olympia. These recommendations are captured in the Natural Environment chapter’s policy supporting the development of an Urban Forestry Management Plan. We also made small changes to the narrative and policies to better reflect this intent.
Council Committee Summary
Staff briefed the Land Use and Environment Committee on September 25, 2025. The Committee recommended minor changes to the narrative to emphasize the impact of polluted stormwater runoff on marine ecosystems, maintenance practices to prevent wildfires, and accessibility of parks via public transportation. We incorporated these changes into the Council Study Session draft.
Council Study Session Summary
During the study session, councilmembers did not raise any concerns or provide comments that required changes to the chapter.
Climate Analysis:
Development of the Comprehensive Plan Climate Element will support immediate actions and long-term planning for climate mitigation (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions reduction) and resilience.
Equity Analysis:
Climate change affects everyone. However, some people and communities in Olympia (sometimes referred to as frontline communities) will experience greater impacts due to their age, race, gender, health, where they live, or what they do for work. Prioritizing environmental justice and maximizing co-benefits for frontline communities is a key goal of the Climate Element.
Equity has been incorporated throughout the Climate Element goals and policies, and staff prioritized outreach to frontline communities to the greatest extent feasible throughout the update process.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is considerable community interest in climate action (including greenhouse gas emissions reduction and resilience). Multiple opportunities and forums for community engagement were provided throughout the development of the Climate Element. A summary of community feedback that informed the development of the Climate Element is included in the attachments.
Financial Impact:
The development of the Climate Element is funded by a $245,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution accepting the Climate Action and Resilience Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
2. Move to approve a Resolution accepting the Climate Action and Resilience Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan, with modifications.
3. Do not accept the Climate Action and Resilience Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and direct staff to make specific changes to it for reconsideration at a future date.
Attachments:
Resolution
Proposed Chapter
Planning Commission Recommendation
Social Justice and Equity Commission Letter
Youth Council Letter
Project Webpage
Phase 1 Community Engagement Summary
Phase 2 Public Comments
Phase 3 Public Comments
Public Comments Received since July 26 2025