Title
Briefing on Downtown Design Guideline Update
Recommended Action
Briefing only
Report
Issue:
Briefing regarding the preliminary scope and timeline for updating Downtown design guidelines
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, (360) 570-5847
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler, Senior Planner
Background and Analysis:
The public process to form Olympia's Downtown Strategy is drawing to a close. The Planning Commission is expected to complete their recommendation to the City Council on the draft by the end of this month. The draft is available online (see attachment 5.)
One of the first recommended actions to implement the Downtown Strategy (DTS) is an update to the Downtown design guidelines. The guidelines influence site design, building orientation, massing, architecture and other building details, as well as view protection and historic preservation. The guidelines will be influenced by goals in the Comprehensive Plan and priorities identified in the Downtown Strategy (attachment 1).
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 and with input from staff, public and advisory boards.
Proposed Timeline
The proposed timeline for the design guideline update is attachment 2 and includes the following steps in 2017:
* Direction from the Land Use & Environment Committee (March 16)
* Convene a technical work group
* Two public events (Open House tentatively scheduled for April 12; Fall)
* Briefings for the Design Review Board and the Heritage Commission
* Planning Commission briefings, public hearing and recommendation
* City Council adoption
Proposed Technical Work Group
The proposal is for the update to be guided by a technical work group. A draft charter for this group is attachment 3. The planning team will seek 1-2 members of the Heritage Commission to serve on this work group.
Prelimin...
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