Title
Urban Design Regulation Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to direct staff to proceed with the proposed timeline, technical work group and preliminary scope of work for updating Downtown design guidelines.
Report
Issue:
Whether to proceed with the proposed timeline, technical work group and preliminary scope of work for updating Downtown design guidelines. Updating the design guidelines is a recommended action in the draft Downtown Strategy. While this action has been anticipated and appears to have public support, staff requests direction to proceed from the Committee since the Downtown Strategy has not yet been adopted by the Council.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, (360) 570-5847
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler, Senior Planner
Background and Analysis:
One of the first recommended actions to implement the Downtown Strategy (DTS) is an update to the Downtown design guidelines. The design guidelines will be influenced by the Comprehensive Plan and priorities identified in the Downtown Strategy (See attachment). The guidelines influence site design, building orientation, massing, architecture and other building details, as well as historic preservation and view protection.
The city has retained MAKERS consultants to assist in this effort. Over an eight-month period, the consultant will prepare updated guidelines with help from a technical work group (citizen volunteers) and with input from staff, public and advisory boards. Then the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding adoption.
Based on public feedback - including a recent Olympia Planning Commission (OPC) public hearing on the draft Downtown Strategy, and discussion with the Design Review Board - there appears to be public support and momentum for proceeding with a process to update the design guidelines. At OPC...
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