Title
Comprehensive Plan Update Initial Direction
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
1. Identify issues to:
· Include in the Council's Public Hearing Draft; and/or
· Discuss in more detail at future Council Study Session(s); and/or
· Refer to a Council Committee.
2. If future study sessions are desired, direct staff to schedule open house style public workshops immediately before the study sessions to provide opportunities for public questions and comment.
Report
Issue:
The draft Comprehensive Plan is moving forward to Council consideration in 2014. Staff has identified some issues for Council consideration. How do you wish to proceed?
Council will have an opportunity to review and provide initial guidance during tonight's Special Study Session and will be asked to confirm that guidance during the Council's Business Meeting.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8206
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development
Sophie Stimson, Senior Planner, Public Works
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development
Greg Wright, Deputy Fire Chief, Olympia Fire Department
Rich Hoey, Director, Public Works
Dave Okerlund, Program and Planning Supervisor, Parks-Arts-Recreation
Background and Analysis:
Tonight begins Council's review of the Planning Commission final draft of the Comprehensive Plan. Staff has reviewed the draft in detail and proposes 14 alternate recommendations for consideration, including a recommendation from the Land Use and Environment Committee about Implementation/Action Plan oversight.
The purpose of tonight's Study Session is to identify those topics that the Council may wish to review in more detail, either at a future Study Session or through referral to the Council's Land Use and Environment Committee.
Confirmation of any initial guidance identified during the Study Session will take place during the Other Business portion of tonight's Council Business Meeting,
Comprehensive Plan Draft and Documents
The final draft of the Comprehensive Plan prepared by the Olympia Planning Commission is posted on the City's website (attachment #1 is the link). Also posted are numerous other documents, including:
1. Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
2. Summary of the Planning Commission Draft
3. Comparisons of the Planning Commission Draft to the existing Olympia Comprehensive Plan (originally adopted in 1994)
4. All documents produced during the "Imagine Olympia" public process leading to the final draft Comprehensive Plan.
5. Other documents describing the role of the city's comprehensive plan
The attachments highlight some of the policy changes in the Draft Comprehensive Plan from the existing city Comprehensive Plan, and the city manager's recommendations. A memo is also attached summarizing results of a consultant's "Plain Talk" edits, which will be incorporated later into a final Council public hearing draft of the Plan.
Background
In 2009, the City initiated a major update to its Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan describes the City's vision for the next twenty years, and provides the policy direction for the City to achieve that vision. The state Growth Management Act (GMA) requires that the Comprehensive Plan accommodate the growth that is projected to occur over the next twenty years. Plan elements include land use, housing, capital facilities, utilities, natural resources, transportation, economic development, cultural resources, and other topics.
The Comprehensive Plan may be amended annually and a major update is required every eight years by the GMA. Each major update must also address development regulations, and coordination with Thurston County to update urban growth areas. This is the City of Olympia's major comprehensive plan update. The remaining portions of the City's required GMA update will be completed by the deadline in 2016.
Public Process
Between 2009 and 2012, City staff and the Olympia Planning Commission reached out to the community through the Imagine Olympia process - including meetings, events, personal interviews, online surveys and more. Over one thousand community members participated in the public process to develop the draft Comprehensive Plan.
The Olympia Planning Commission completed preliminary draft recommendations in March 2013. After the Planning Commission submitted an Addendum to those recommendations in May 2013, the City Council returned the Addendum to the Commission in October for additional consideration. The Planning Commission completed its final recommendations in December 2013.
"Plain Talk" Edits
In October 2013, the City Council authorized a "Plain Talk" edit of the Comprehensive Plan to improve its clarity and usefulness to Olympia citizens. The professional editor has completed these edits, which are summarized in the attached memo (attachment #4). "Plain Talk" edits will be incorporated in the draft being prepared for the Council's Public Hearing (to be scheduled).
City Manager Recommendations
Staff has identified 14 recommendations that differ from the Planning Commission draft. The staff recommendations are outlined in attachment #3.
Public Hearing Draft Plan
An updated draft containing the "Plain Talk" edits and any Council-directed changes to the Planning Commission draft will be issued before the Council holds a Public Hearing. The date of the Hearing is yet to be scheduled.
The purpose of tonight's study session is to identify those issues Council wishes to discuss further at either a Study Session or with referral to Land Use & Environment Committee.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There has been community-wide interest in the comprehensive plan update throughout its development.
Options:
1. Discuss each of the city manager recommendations included in the attachment. For each recommendation, direct staff to either:
a. Include the recommendation in an updated Draft Comprehensive Plan for consideration at a future public hearing; or
b. Schedule the recommendations for additional discussion at a future City Council work session or refer specific chapters or issues to a Council Committee. Include an open house-style public workshop immediately prior to each work session to receive public comment on the issue.
2. Refer the city manager recommendations to the Land Use and Environment, General Government, Finance or Community and Economic Revitalization Committee as Council deems appropriate for additional consideration and recommendation.
3. Direct staff to schedule a public hearing on the draft Olympia Comprehensive Plan, including specified city manager recommendations.
Financial Impact:
No immediate financial impact. Eventual adoption of the comprehensive plan will include policy direction for establishment or continuation of numerous city programs and projects, which would need to be included in future city budgets to be implemented.