Title
Provision of Alleys
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Reviewed by Land Use & Environment Committee in April 2014, prior to Council's Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan. See "Options" section below.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss and provide guidance on language to include in the draft Comprehensive Plan related to alleys.
Report
Issue:
On August 12, Council referred Comprehensive Plan policies related to alleys to a Study Session. Primary issues:
1) Should alleys be encouraged or required?
2) If required, how should criteria be determined for situations in which alleys are required?
Staff Contact:
Sophie Stimson, Senior Planner, Public Works Transportation, 360.753.8497
Presenter(s):
Sophie Stimson, Senior Planner, Public Works Transportation
Background and Analysis:
Current Comprehensive Plan policy on alleys states that alleys are encouraged in residential and commercial development.
In May 2013, the Olympia Planning Commission recommended Comprehensive Plan policy language that requires alleys in new development instead of encouraging them.
In April 2014, the Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC) recommended policy language that requires alleys. LUEC added an additional policy relating to the feasibility and practicality of alleys (PT3.6), which was reflected in the City Council's June 2014 Public Hearing Draft of the Comprehensive Plan.
Alleys contribute to more access and mobility in our transportation system. They also improve urban form by minimizing the need for driveways at the front of a lot.
More alleys would be difficult for the City to maintain. Funding is not in place to maintain the alleys we already have. More alleys will result in more impervious surfaces, which will result in increased stormwater runoff that must be managed (treated, conveyed and detained). For these reasons, staff recommends Comprehensive Plan policy language that encourages alleys, and does not requ...
Click here for full text