Title
Residential Parking Requirement Code Amendments - Deliberations
Recommended Action
Move to recommend approval of the Residential Parking Requirement Code Amendments.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recommend approval of the Residential Parking Requirement Code Amendments.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
In September 2022, February 2023, and March 6, 2023, City staff briefed the Planning Commission on efforts to reduce residential parking standards for new residential projects. This is part of a state funded grant the City was awarded to help implement its Housing Action Plan (HAP). Specifically, this work addresses the following strategy and action step of the HAP:
Strategy: Expand the overall housing supply by making it easier to build all types of housing.
Action 3i: Reduce parking requirements for residential uses, including for multi-family developments near frequent transit routes.
A community questionnaire was open for approximately one month on the City's Engage Olympia webpage. The questionnaire was not a scientific survey, instead it was an opportunity for members of the public to share opinions with staff on questions surrounding residential parking requirements.
Staff considered survey responses, public comments, and the intent of the Housing Action Plan strategy and action to develop a first draft of code amendments. That draft included staff comments to help explain why some changes were proposed or what other changes may result from a proposed amendment. The public hearing draft (see Attachment 1) considers comments from the Planning Commission as well as the additional public comments submitted.
Planning Commission Guidance
The Planning Commission had briefings on this proposal in February and early March. In February the results of the questionnaire were review...
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