Title
Commercial Design Review Expansion - Continued Deliberation and Possible Recommendation
Recommended Action
Move to recommend approval of code amendment as proposed by City staff.
Report
Issue:
In December of 2014 the City of Olympia adopted a major update of its Comprehensive Plan. Among the many changes was a revision of the policy describing the scope of 'design review' -- the City's process that regulates the architecture and complementary landscaping of developments. In response, City staff proposed that the development code be amended to require that all commercial buildings and substantial commercial remodels adjacent to most public streets meet the City's "Basic Commercial Design Criteria." The staff's proposal also includes amendments to clarify design review procedures. The Commission is to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding this proposal.
Staff Contact:
Todd Stamm, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development Department, (360.753.8957)
Presenter:
None; discussion to be led by Commission Chair.
Background and Analysis:
The Commission received a pre-hearing briefing on this proposed development code amendment on May 4, 2015, hosted a public hearing on this proposal on May 18 and accepted written comments until May 22. The Commission opened discussion of this proposal on June 1, 2015. Detailed information regarding this proposal and comments received are included in staff reports of the May 18 and June 1 meetings. Deliberation continued on July 6 and the Commission scheduled further discussion for July 20.
The Design Review Board also discussed this issue in general terms on March 12 and March 26. The Board recommended that:
? All commercial projects adjacent to public streets should be subject to the Basic Commercial Design Criteria
? All mixed use projects should be subject to either the commercial or multi-family design criteria; when inconsistent the commercial crite...
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