Title
Joint Meeting with City Council - Recognition and Discussion of Future Work Plan
Report
Issue:
Recognize prior work program accomplishments and discuss the Planning Commission work plan for 2015-2016.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.5847
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Development, 360.753-8206
Presenter(s):
Mayor Buxbaum
Leonard Bauer
Background and Analysis:
PRIOR PLANNING COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Planning Commission has accomplished a great deal in the past 2 years, including:
· Held 7 public hearings in 2012 and made over 80 separate recommendations on the Comprehensive Plan Update in 2013.
· Made recommendations on the Capital Facilities Plan, including recommendations on the 20-year element/goals and policies in 2014.
· Made Recommendations on at least twelve code amendments regarding:
1. Large Commercial Buildings in Residential Neighborhoods (ORLA)
2. Waste Receptacle Screening
3. The Wastewater Plan
4. Reclaimed Water Code
5. HDC Building Step-backs and Setbacks
6. 4 Zoning Map amendments
7. Hearing Body on Rezones
8. Rezone Criteria
9. Multi-Family - Transitions to Buffer Single-Family Residential
10. Retail Cannibus
11. Cable Utility Tax
12. The Historic Inventory
· Toured Olympia's Neighborhood Center areas in 2013, conducted broad public outreach and held a public hearing on proposed actions for Olympia's Neighborhood Centers in 2014.
· Received over 10 briefings on City related issues within the past 2 years (e.g., climate change, visualizing density, Inter-jurisdictional Planning Relationships...)
· Individual Commissioners:
o Served as OPC liaisons to UAC, PRAC, DRB, OHC, BPAC and the CAC
o Attend many City and other community meetings, trainings and events throughout each year.
· Developed actions for improved communication with community, staff and Council at 2014 annual retreat (this will inform OPC's 2015-16 work plan).
2015-2016 PLANNING COMMISSION WORK PLAN
The Commission plans to formulate a recommendation for the City Council regarding their 2015-2016 Work Plan following the City Council's annual retreat in January 2015. It is typical for OPC work plan items to derive from a variety of sources, including: Council referrals, legal requirements, private applicant initiated proposals, or issues that are initiated by CP&D or the Commission and ultimately approved by City Council.
CP&D has a three year work plan (Attachment 1). The attached version was reviewed by the Council's Land Use & Environment Committee in September of 2014. Some items will likely be updated, and staff will provide an oral summary at the meeting.
Based on this, the Department anticipates several large projects will be included within OPC's 2015-2016 work plan (e.g., Low Impact Development Code, Critical Area Updates, and Downtown Planning.)