Title
Olympia’s Design Review Process - Briefing
Staff Recommendation
Informational background briefing only; no action proposed.
Report
Issue:
As a result of a proposed design code amendment, and discussion of other issues related to urban design in Olympia, the Commission requested a general briefing regarding Olympia’s current design review process.
Presenters:
Catherine McCoy, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development Department, 360.570.3776
Members of the Olympia Design Review Board may also attend and participate in the presentation or subsequent discussion (a quorum of the Board will not be present)
Background and Analysis:
For almost thirty years the City of Olympia has had a formal process for evaluating the design of proposed developments. The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the City’s design code. However, except for a Commissioner selected to serve as a liaison to the Design Review Board, members of the Planning Commission rarely participate in the design review process. (Note: Like the Commission, members of the Design Review Board are also appointed by the City Council.) This presentation by the City staff will provide the Commission with an overview of the design review process.