Title
Final Draft - Comprehensive Plan Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendations:
Recommendations from the Land Use and Environment Committee and the Community and Economic Revitalization Committee on specific topics were considered at City Council study sessions as described below.
City Manager Recommendation:
Direct staff to include the edits in the attachment into a Final Draft Comprehensive Plan, and schedule a public hearing on those edits for November 3.
Report
Issue:
The City Council held a public hearing on the Draft Comprehensive Plan update on July 22, 2014, and extended the period for receiving written comments until August 5, 2014. On August 12, 2014 the Council directed that staff provide clarifying text regarding certain aspects of the proposed Plan, referred energy policies of the Plan to the Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC) and the Economy Chapter to the Community Economic Revitalization Committee (CERC), and requested that study sessions be scheduled regarding six other topics.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development Department, 360.753.8206
Presenter:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development Department
Background and Analysis:
The City Council has completed its review and deliberation regarding potential edits to the Draft Comprehensive Plan update, based on public comments received during its first public hearing and comment period. These edits result from the following Council discussions:
Clarifications
On August 12, 2014, the City Council reviewed clarifying text presented by city staff regarding:
1. Thurston County's updated buildable lands report
2. Safety aspects of new connected streets
On September 9, 2014, the City Council reviewed clarifying text presented by city staff regarding:
1. Expansion of Introduction
2. Vision and Values emphasis of Capital City identity
3. Protection of priority habitats and species
4. Relationship of Comprehensive Plan to critical areas regulations
5. Utilities
6. Sea level rise
7. Relationship of parks and community events to tourism
8. Addressing homelessness in housing section
Study Sessions
The Council discussed additional topics at its study sessions:
Study session on September 16:
· Capitol Lake*
· Decatur Street and 16th Avenue (Fern) street connections
· Alleys*
· Scenic Views and related Waterfront issues
· Energy policy recommendations from LUEC
Study session on October 7:
· Land Use issues
· Urban Corridors (including four specific parcels on State Avenue*)
· Economy chapter recommendations from CERC
· Introduction section
The edits resulting from these Council discussions are included in the attachment. For the three topics above that are identified with an asterisk (*), Council requested that two options be prepared for their consideration.
Staff is seeking Council direction on:
1. Whether to incorporate the edits in the attachment into a Final Draft Comprehensive Plan;
2. For the three topics for which two options are included in the attachment, which of the two options to include in a Final Draft Comprehensive Plan; and
3. Whether to schedule an additional public hearing on the approved edits to the Plan at the Council's November 3, 2014, meeting.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
During the last five years many members of the public have participated in and commented on this periodic update of the Comprehensive Plan. The comments received at the Council's public hearing are available to the Council and public to view on the City's website.
Options:
1. Direct staff to include the edits in the attachment into a Final Draft Comprehensive Plan (including selection of one option for topics that include two options in the attachment), and schedule a public hearing on those edits for November 3, 2014.
2. Direct staff to include the edits in the attachment into a Final Draft Comprehensive Plan (including selection of one option for topics that include two options in the attachments), and to prepare an ordinance for adoption to be considered at the next available Council meeting.
3. Add topics for clarification, work sessions, or other proceedings.
Financial Impact:
None; this periodic Comprehensive Plan update is part of 2014 budget.