Title
Urban Corridors Issues
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss issues and provide guidance on alternatives to bring forward for consideration at Oct. 21 City Council meeting.
Report
Issue:
At its August 12 meeting, the Council discussed public comment received on the Public Hearing Draft of the Comprehensive Plan. Council referred comments regarding urban corridors for discussion at this work session. General comments expressed support for or opposition to the urban corridors concept. Specific comments addressed three issues: 1) building heights allowed in the State/4th corridor in the area east of Plum Street; 2) development density allowed in the three portions of urban corridors designated as "High-Density Neighborhoods"; and 3) the land use designation of four properties in the 2400 block of State Avenue. Each of these three issues is addressed in more detail in an attachment to this staff report.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8206
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Development
Background and Analysis:
As it developed its Public Hearing Draft Comprehensive Plan, the Council held a work session on April 8, 2014, devoted to the issue of Urban Corridors. Significant background information on urban corridors is available in the staff report prepared for that work session.
Urban Corridors are an integrated transportation and land use concept initially designated in 1994 by Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County. Urban Corridors are key to the region's strategy to avoid sprawl and reduce its dependence on the auto by providing an appealing housing alternative for people who want to live in an attractive, walkable, urban environment close to transit, work, services and shopping.
The Draft Comprehensive Plan addresses the transportation functions of urban corridors in the Transportation Chapter, particularly Goal ...
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