Title
Revision of Municipal Code on Cultural Resource Protection
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the recently adopted municipal code enhancing the City's protection of archaeological and other cultural resources.
Staff Contact:
Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8031
Presenter(s):
Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer
Background and Analysis:
Earlier this year, the Olympia City Council approved the adoption of an ordinance revising the City's municipal code on cultural resource protection. This change was initiated in part due to the need to clarify some of the language in the earlier version as well as to address the question of how to effectively provide for Tribal consultation under the City's proposal to exempt certain development projects proposed in Downtown Olympia from State Environmental Planning Act (SEPA) compliance. This exemption is provided for in Washington State law for urban centers which are not meeting State housing density targets.
To develop the code revision, Ms. Sadlier worked with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) from the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Squaxin Island Tribe as well as staff at the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP). Both THPOs and DAHP staff approved the final version of the code language (Attachment 1).
One new provision in the code is a requirement for, at a minimum, a signed Inadvertent Discovery Plan (IDP) under certain circumstances. Ms. Sadlier developed the IDP template's language with the help of the Squaxin Island and Nisqually THPOs and DAHP staff. The text in the semi-final version has been approved by both THPOs and DAHP (Attachment 2). Once illustrative photographs have been selected and attached, the IDP template will be ready for attachment as a condition of permitting decisions.
Attachments:
1. OMC 18.12 Sections
2. Draft Inadvert...
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