Title
Public Hearing on the 2018 Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use & Environment Committee recommends holding a public hearing on the 2018 EDDS Update.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the EDDS. After hearing public testimony, close the public hearing and schedule the first reading of a proposed ordinance adopting the updated EDDS.
Report
Issue:
Whether to hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the EDDS and related changes to the Olympia Municipal Code.
Staff Contact:
Stephen Sperr, P.E., Assistant City Engineer, Public Works Engineering, 360.753.8739
Presenter(s):
Steve Sperr, P.E., Assistant City Engineer, Public Works Engineering
Background and Analysis:
Annually, the City reviews and updates the Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) to address changes in regulations or standards, improve consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, and add clarity. The Land Use and Environment Committee reviewed the proposed changes on June 21 and November 15. This year, 54 issues are being addressed. As in past years, most of the changes pertain to consistency and clarity issues. Some of the highlights of this year’s changes address:
• Latecomer Agreements
• Sidewalk Fee-in-lieu
• Street Trees
• Gender Neutrality
In November, staff briefed the Land Use and Environment Committee on the status of 2018 EDDS update. That briefing included an overview of what the EDDS are, highlights of proposed changes, and how staff has been engaging the public.
Staff has reached out to interested parties by contacting them directly and by providing the entire list of issues being addressed on the City’s website. Staff incorporated their comments into the proposed text and drawing changes.
Before the Public Hearing, staff will brief the full Council with a short presentation on the 2018 EDDS changes being considered.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Updated EDDS will ensure utility and transportation systems are constructed to meet the most current standards. Updates will also continue to move us toward the City’s Comprehensive Plan goal of providing sustainable infrastructure.
Options:
1. Hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the EDDS. After hearing public testimony, close the public hearing and schedule the first reading of a proposed ordinance adopting the updated EDDS.
2. Hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the EDDS. After hearing public testimony, close the public hearing and direct staff to incorporate specific changes to the 2018 EDDS. The first reading of a proposed ordinance adopting the updated EDDS may be delayed.
3. Do not hold a public hearing and delay updating the EDDS until 2019. This option will result in potential conflicts in attempting to ensure that development impacts within the right-of-way are consistently addressed.
Financial Impact:
None of the proposed changes should result in notable increases to the costs of private development or Public Works projects.
Attachments:
Link to EDDS webpage
EDDS 2018 Summary of Proposed Changes