Title
The Water Club, 500 Deschutes Pkwy SW BLK, 26-2467
Report
Project Information:
The proposed facility is a water oriented country club incorporating a destination wellness and spa program including cold plunge pools, steam room, sauna, and full spa and treatment services, a high end fitness facility, and a smoothie and refreshment bar open to the public. The view of Capitol Lake and the surrounding shoreline is the primary amenity, placing this facility squarely within the water enjoyment classification under the Olympia Shoreline Master Program regardless of whether members ever touch the water directly.
The facility is structured as a private membership country club with tiered access available to the general public. Members receive full access to all amenities including thermal wellness facilities, fitness, spa treatments, and priority booking. Day passes are available to the general public providing full access to all amenities on a walk in basis. Certain designated amenities including the smoothie and refreshment bar, wellness supplements, and the view terrace are open to the general public without a day pass, ensuring that the facility is genuinely accessible to the broader community regardless of membership or day pass purchase.
The proposed country club is a conditional use in the R6-12 zone under Olympia Municipal Code Table 4.01. It is the highest and best use of this shoreline parcel and the use most aligned with the intent of the Shoreline Management Act. RCW 90.58 reserves shorelines for water oriented uses and prioritizes uses that facilitate public access to the shoreline environment. Every other private use realistically available in this zone is residential in nature, and the SMA explicitly identifies residential development as a non-water-oriented use that is not a priority under the Act. A private residence delivers no public access, no water orientation, and no community benefit from this rare shoreline location. The country club delive...
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