Title
Capital Mall Triangle Subarea Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Briefing
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Briefing and discussion on the project.
Staff Contact:
David Ginther, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8335
Presenter(s):
David Ginther, Senior Planner
Background and Analysis:
Introduction
The Capital Mall Triangle project has reached a milestone. Through the process of creating an Environmental Impact Statement, the City has identified a preferred alternative to guide future development in the area. That preferred alternative is reflected in the Final EIS.
Additionally, the City has published a final subarea plan. The subarea plan also reflects the preferred alternative.
The subarea plan and the EIS further the Comprehensive Plan’s vision for the area to:
1. Gradually transition to a high-density, mixed-use neighborhood where people can walk, roll, bike, or take the bus to work, school, shop, or have fun.
2. Continue to support the business community to keep the area a regional shopping destination.
The subarea plan
This plan is a broad 20-year vision for the future of the area. It contains policies on land use, transportation, design, economic development, utilities, and other topics.
The EIS
The EIS is an analysis of potential adverse environmental impacts that the City expects will come from making regulatory changes. The regulatory changes are intended to make it easier for private developers to build projects that will help make the above vision for the area a reality.
Next steps
There are two more steps to this project:
1. The City Council will review and approve the subarea plan.
2. City staff will write an ordinance that puts into effect the regulatory changes and mitigation for environmental impacts described in the EIS.
The City Council will begin review of the subarea plan in April with approval expected in early summer. The ordinance with the regulatory changes and mitigation measures will follow the subarea plan approval process with completion expected in late summer.
How to prepare
Staff has attached a link to the Engage Olympia page, where you can find the subarea plan and EIS.
Please read the transportation chapter of the subarea plan and come prepared to share your thoughts and ask questions. You are welcome to read more of the plan to get a greater sense of how the transportation chapter relates to other topics.
You may also choose to skim or read the EIS. It is a lengthy and technical document. Chapter 4 addresses transportation. If you decide to review it, please feel free to note any questions or thoughts you have to share during the discussion.
Options:
None - information only
Financial Impact:
The project is funded by a $250,000 Transit Oriented Development and Implementation grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The City of Olympia has supplemented the project with an additional $83,529.
Attachments:
Link to Engage Olympia page