Title
Approval of an Ordinance Adopting Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and Associated Development Regulation Updates
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, an Ordinance adopting Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and associated development regulation updates.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, an Ordinance adopting Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and associated development regulation updates.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, an Ordinance adopting Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and associated development regulation updates.
Staff Contact:
Susan McLaughlin, Director, Community Planning and Economic Development, 360.753.8206
Tim Smith, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Economic Development, 360.570.3915
Joyce Phillips, Planning Manager, Community Planning and Economic Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Planning Manager
Background and Analysis:
Every 10 years, the City is required by State law to review and update its Comprehensive Plan and the development regulations used to implement the Plan. This update looks 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 was updated separately, although staff worked diligently to ensure chapters are supportive of each other and consistent. Because chapters are being reviewed on different timelines, staff requested that the City Council “accept” each chapter but to refrain from adopting until all chapters are complete and any final adjustments can be made. The deadline to complete this periodic update of the Comprehensive Plan is December 31, 2025.
Olympia’s Comprehensive Plan
Olympia’s first Comprehensive Plan (Plan) was adopted more than 60 years ago. With the passage of the State’s Growth Management Act in 1990, Olympia prepared a new plan which was completed in 1994. The plan was amended a few times over the years. In 2014, the City completed a major rewrite of the Plan, with broad input and participation by community members.
The Plan covers the area of the Olympia City Limits and the Olympia urban growth area. It addresses issues like housing, land use, transportation, parks and open spaces, utilities and public services, and the economy. It also reflects community values, such as public participation, addressing climate change, and tree preservation. Once adopted, the Plan becomes the adopted vision for how and where our community will grow and change, and be served with utilities, infrastructure, and public services. Comprehensive Plans must be updated every 10 years.
Growth Management Act (GMA)
The GMA (RCW 36.70A) establishes a framework for comprehensive planning in Washington State. It includes 15 statewide planning goals that each jurisdiction must balance locally. Some of the primary objectives of the GMA are to protect resource lands of long-term commercial significance (agricultural, forestry, and mineral resource lands), to plan for growth in urban areas where it can be served with a full range of urban services, to prevent sprawl, and to protect environmentally sensitive areas.
Land is in one of three categories - urban, rural, or resource lands. Depending on which category the land is in, there are different provisions of the GMA that apply. Cities and urban growth areas are considered urban.
The GMA identifies what must be included in local government Comprehensive Plans. It identifies required elements of the plans, which are often referred to as chapters. It allows for “optional” elements as well. For each element required under the GMA, there are minimum requirements local governments must address. Any optional elements must be consistent with the required elements.
Periodic Update
Counties and Cities are required to update Comprehensive Plans at least once every ten years. Thurston County, and the cities within it, must complete the periodic update by December 31, 2025. This also includes the requirement to update any development regulations (codes) that implement the Plan, if needed in order to be consistent with the new Plan. There is an additional 12 months allowed for the completion of Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).
The update requires the city to extend the planning horizon at least 20 years, to year 2045, to update population growth projections, and to address changes and new requirements in state laws.
Phased Approach and Timeline
The City is using a phased approach to complete the update. This allows us to make the most use of staff resources to complete as much of the associated work in-house as possible. Through a coordinated effort, each chapter has been updated through a public process by staff from across most City Departments. The process varies by chapter. The first public meetings on this process began in 2021, however, work really began and the pace picked up significantly in 2022 and 2023.
The team of City Staff working on the coordinated update of the Plan includes staff from almost all City Departments, including Communications, Climate, Public Works, Police, Fire, Parks Arts and Recreation, and Community Planning and Economic Development. And while all chapters were considered by both the Social Justice and Equity Commission and the Planning Commission, several chapters were also shared with other City Advisory Committees, such as the Utility Advisory Committee, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Arts Commission, Heritage Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and the Youth Council.
Social Justice and Equity Commission
The Social Justice and Equity Commission (SJEC) received a briefing on each chapter of the draft plan. The Commission provided a written comment letter for each chapter, which was generally provided as each chapter was considered by Council Committees, in Study Sessions, and at the time chapter acceptance was requested.
Planning Commission
The Olympia Planning Commission (OPC) received at least one briefing on each chapter and conducted a public hearing on each chapter. The OPC issued formal recommendation letters to City Council for each chapter, in compliance with provisions in OMC 18.59, Olympia Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process.
Tribal Council
Each of the five chapters identified by the Squaxin Island Tribe as being of importance to the Tribe, was shared with the Tribal Council for the opportunity for the Tribal Council to provide council-to-council comments with the City Council. In addition, staff from the Squaxin Island Tribe contributed to the development of the Natural Environment and Climate Action and Resilience chapters specifically.
Note: All draft chapters of the plan were routed to both the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Nisqually Indian Tribe for review and comment.
Council Committees
Most chapters were considered by a Council Committee prior to going to a Council Study Session for discussion. Which Council Committee reviewed a specific chapter was based on the content of the chapter. Most chapters were reviewed by the Land Use and Environment Committee, although the Economy Chapter was reviewed by the Finance Committee and the Public Safety Chapter was reviewed by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee.
Council Study Session Summary
Each chapter has been discussed by Councilmembers in greater detail at Council Study Sessions. Staff uses the input from the Study Session discussion to fine tune the chapter language, such as to provide clarification of a draft goal or policy, prior to bringing the draft chapter to City Council to request acceptance of the chapter.
Request for Council Acceptance
Each chapter has been proposed to City Council with a request for acceptance. Once chapters are accepted, the draft plan will be consolidated and final proof reading and formatting will occur. At its meeting on November 18, 2025, the Council accepted the remaining two chapters of the draft Plan.
Climate Analysis:
Each of the topic chapters of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan were updated with climate change in mind, both from a reducing greenhouse gas emissions perspective and also for opportunities to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change. This Plan will include a chapter on Climate Action and Resilience and will shape the goals and policies across the entirety of the Plan. Because there will be a chapter specifically on the topic of climate, the section on sea level rise in the Introduction Chapter is being shortened, as well as expanded to cover more aspects of climate issues.
Equity Analysis:
Equity is a key theme of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan update. The Plan is intended to address the basic needs of all Olympians and future community members while also working to provide opportunities for all people to thrive. In the Introduction Chapter, language has been added to express the specific intention of reviewing the goals and policies within the Plan through a wide lens of equity. Additionally, the Key Challenges section near the end of the Chapter has been revised to include language about housing being accessible and affordable to community members who live, or want to live, in Olympia.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
A wide range of perspectives have been provided in public comments throughout the two and a half year process. Many community members participated in surveys and community events, such as the online kick-off meeting and the hybrid open house. Many participated in events for certain chapters, such as information booths at an Earth Day or Arbor Day event. Some participated in small groups, such as the Council of Neighborhoods sounding board. Additionally, some community members submitted written comments. Written comments and survey summaries are available on project webpages for Olympia 2045 (accessible through Attachment 2).
Financial Impact:
This work was funded, in part, by a grant for $175,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Options:
1. Move to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, an Ordinance adopting Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and associated development regulation updates.
2. Move to approve an Ordinance adopting the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and associated Development Regulation updates, with specific revisions.
3. Do not recommend approval of the Ordinance adopting the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan and associated Development Regulation updates.
Attachments:
Ordinance
Olympia 2045 Webpage
Public Engagement Summary
Presentation