Title
Update on the Low Impact Development Code Revision Project
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Not applicable; briefing only.
Report
Issue:
The Public Works and Community Planning and Development Departments started work on State-mandated low impact development code revisions in early 2104. Staff proposed and City Council supported regular Land Use and Environment Committee updates on the topic during a June 3, 2014 study session.
Staff Contact:
Andy Haub, Water Resources Director, Public Works, 360.753.8475
Todd Stamm, Associate Line of Business Director, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8597
Presenter(s):
Same
Background and Analysis:
Washington State defines low impact development (LID) as a stormwater and land use management strategy that promotes infiltration and evaporation of rainfall rather than stormwater runoff. The strategy emphasizes conservation, site planning, and small-scale stormwater management practices that are integrated into project designs. Low impact techniques include environmentally sensitive site design and innovative stormwater management approaches, such as porous pavements.
The City of Olympia is required by the State to evaluate our various codes and regulations in order to "make LID the preferred and commonly used approach to site development." In response to this requirement, the Public Works and Community
Planning and Development Departments assembled a LID Code Revision Work Group in February, 2014. The work group is on schedule to complete the ambitious work effort including Council-approved code revisions by the end of 2015.
The LID work group has made steady progress on the project since the June 3, 2014 study session with the City Council. Staff is implementing the public involvement strategy and overall schedule which was shared with Council (attached).
Key tasks that are underway or completed include:
* Identifying specific City code and standards that ...
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