Title
Briefing on Proposed Development Code Updates to Address Sea-Level Rise in Downtown
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive the briefing and provide guidance for next steps
Report
Issue:
Whether to establish a standard requirement for floodproofing within the downtown. The proposal is to require floodproofing 2' above the lowest "base flood elevation" - up to 16' elevation
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, abuckler@ci.olympia.wa.us, 360.580.5847
Presenter(s):
* Amy Buckler
* Todd Cunningham, Building Official, tcunning@ci.olympia.wa.us, 360.753.8486
* Andy Haub, Water Resources Director, ahaub@ci.olympia.wa.us, 360.570.3795
* Eric Christensen, Engineering & Planning Supervisor, echriste@ci.olympia.wa.us, 360. 570.3741
Background and Analysis:
SEA LEVEL RISE IN DOWNTOWN OLYMPIA:
Downtown Olympia has a long history of flooding. It is built on low lying fill and subject to tidal events. Of concern over the long-term is sea level rise and its potential to increase flooding in downtown Olympia.
Olympia is most vulnerable to flooding only during relatively short-term, hour- or two-hour long tidal events. Fortunately, these events are predictable allowing us to prepare for them. City staff and regional emergency management personnel monitor weather patterns with preparedness in mind.
While it remains difficult to predict the level or timing for sea level rise, the City continues to increase its understanding of Olympia-specific implications, and the City Council received a briefing about this on February 9, 2016 (see presentation - attachment 4.)
LONG-TERM APPROACH (SEA LEVEL RISE MANAGEMENT PLAN):
The City's Comprehensive Plan specifies that we will use best available information to implement a sea level rise management plan to protect downtown (see goal/policies - attachment 3.) This planning effo...
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