Title
Urban Design Regulation Update
Report
Issue:
Discussion on preliminary proposals regarding views and multifamily open space that are part of the design guideline update
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.5847
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler
Background and Analysis:
One of the first recommended actions to implement Olympia's Downtown Strategy (DTS) is an update to the Downtown design guidelines. These are regulations that help ensure new development and significant rehabs achieve a level of design quality that is consistent with public objectives. PRAC has an expressed interest in two aspects of this work: protecting the view of Mt. Rainier from West Bay Park and requirements for multifamily open space.
This evening staff will provide an overview of the key proposals which have been of interest to PRAC. Discussion and questions are encouraged.
Update Process
Since last April, staff and consultants from MAKERS have been drafting and analyzing a new set of guidelines with help from a design technical work group (TWG). TWG, which has met six times, includes PRAC representative Maria Ruth
Following are the remaining steps in the process:
1. Outreach to neighborhoods, developers and advisory boards (March-April)
2. Final meeting of the TWG (March, TBD)
3. Public Open House (tentatively scheduled for April 18)
4. Planning Commission (OPC) briefing and Public Hearing (June, TBD)
5. Forward ordinance and OPC recommendation to City Council (August, TBD)
View Protection
The City's recently updated Comprehensive Plan guides the City to host a public process using graphic visualization software to identify important views to be protected from key public observation points. Part of the scope of work for the Downtown Strategy was to complete this for views related to downtown (a subsequent process will address additional views throughout the City.) The objective is to identify where the City might need to take steps ...
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