Title
Consider Next Steps to Implement the Investment Strategies: City of Olympia Opportunity Areas Report
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Provide staff with feedback and direction regarding the next steps in implementing the Investment Strategies: City of Olympia Opportunity Areas Report
Report
Issue:
The Investment Strategies: City of Olympia Opportunity Areas report provides a number of implementation recommendations. Provide staff with feedback and guidance about next steps in the process.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department
Background and Analysis:
City Council received the Investment Strategies: City of Olympia Opportunity Areas Report in September of 2013 and has been moving forward with its implementation by focusing on developing the Isthmus Urban Design Workshop process and setting the stage for next steps in the Community Renewal Area planning process. The Report provides a number of recommendations starting on page 26 including:
1. Engage with the full Council to determine how to best work with the Planning Commission, the Council of Neighborhood Associations and other key stakeholder groups on how to best initiate a process for annually reviewing development opportunity sites.
2. Consider how to best integrate this new approach into current planning processes such as the development of the Capital Facilities Plan and in particular, look for ways to connect the opportunity site review to the Comprehensive Plan.
3. Engage directly with the Planning Commission in discussions as to how to make use of the information about the 5 opportunity sites with their activities. The new methodology should provide a more relevant means of linking the annual work of the Planning Commission's Finance Committee's review of the city's Capital Facilities Plan.
4. Convene a development roundtable (perhaps in conjunction with the Thurston County Economic Development Council) to discuss how to more effectively build predictability into the development of opportunity sites in order to build the confidence of investors and developers.
5. Work broadly to explain the City's new vision for community development, gathering input from stakeholders on development opportunities for the sites discussed in this report and potential investments the City could make, and discuss potential development and redevelopment tools.
6. Clarify the City's development toolkit. Clearly establish active and potential tools the City has available for new development, and identify which areas are eligible for EB-5 funding, New Market Tax Credits, and any applicable City programs.
Options:
1. Provide staff with feedback and directions regarding next steps in the process.
2. Review the information and continue deliberations about next steps at a future meeting.
Financial Impact:
None at this time.