Title
Approval of Ordinance Amending OMC 18.06.808 Related to High Density Corridor Zoning
Recommended Action
The Olympia Planning Commission recommends adoption of the ordinance.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on second reading the ordinance revising High Density Corridor Zoning.
Report
Issue:
Whether to amend the City's Development Code to provide that in High Density Corridor zones buildings within 100 feet of lower density residential zones (14 units per acre or less) shall be limited to a height of 35 feet; and where within 50 feet of other zones to the maximum height of such adjacent zone.
Staff Contact:
Todd Stamm, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development Department, 360.753.8597
Presenter(s):
None. Consent agenda item.
Background and Analysis:
This ordinance was approved on first reading by Council on February 4, 2014. Following is the Background and Analysis from that meeting:
On December 11, 2012, the Olympia City Council responded to public concerns about development near certain single-family housing by adopting an emergency ordinance changing building height regulations in the High Density Corridor zones (HDC-1;
HDC-2; HDC-3; HDC-4). Ordinance 6820 temporarily requires that within any of the four High Density Corridor zones:
* any new buildings within 100 feet of a single-family lot shall not exceed a height of 35 feet, and
* any buildings on property adjacent to 1) a single-family home, 2) a residential zone, or 3) a public street, shall have 8-foot step-backs at every third floor (aka 'wedding cake' design).
This emergency ordinance has been extended through June of 2014.
In the meantime, as directed by the Council, the Olympia Planning Commission has considered this and other approaches to addressing the issue of new tall buildings in these zones adjacent to housing. In particular, the Commission was briefed on this matter on August 19, 2013; and held a public hearing on ...
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