Title
Consideration of Proposed 2019 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Planning Commission recommends amending Policy PN8.1 of the Comprehensive Plan and forwarding to Council for consideration.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to recommend amending Policy PN8.1 of the Comprehensive Plan and forward to Council for consideration.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recommend amending Policy PN8.1 of the Natural Environment Chapter of the Olympia Comprehensive Plan. If approved by full Council, the City’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal would be updated to reflect the regionally agreed upon language passed by City Council on October 16, 2018, in Resolution M-1976.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Susan Clark, Senior Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia adopted a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goal in its 2014 Comprehensive Plan. The City’s goal was developed to reflect the GHG emission reduction goal of the Sustainable Thurston plan, which was approved in late 2013. Other jurisdictions in Thurston County adopted similar but different goals.
Sustainable Thurston recommended that a Climate Action Plan be developed. In 2018 the City entered into an Interlocal Agreement with the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC), Thurston County, and the cities of Lacey and Tumwater to develop a regional climate mitigation plan. Phase 1 of the project included a review of each participating jurisdiction’s varying climate policies and emission targets. As a result, a recommendation to adopt a common region-wide emissions reduction target, using 2015 as the base year instead of 1990, was made.
At the end of the Phase 1 work, each of the partnering jurisdictions agreed to the shared GHG emissions reduction goal. On October 16, 2018, the Olympia City Council passed Resolution M-1976 adopting the common targets to reduce community-wide GHG emissions and committing to continuing the work to develop the regional climate mitigation plan. Phase 2 of the regional mitigation planning process, which is the development of the Thurston Regional Climate Mitigation Plan, began in January.
The application materials (attached, last page) include a “bill format” proposal of the changes to Policy PN8.1 of the Natural Environment Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The City of Olympia has a diverse population, with many who care deeply about climate change and other environmental issues. The City of Olympia has a longer history than most jurisdictions when it comes to addressing issues like environmental protection, sustainability, climate change and sea level rise. More opportunity for public involvement and participation will occur as the climate mitigation plan is developed. In regard to the proposal to amend the policy text in the Comprehensive Plan, only one public comment was been received.
Options:
1. Recommend the proposed amendment, consistent with Planning Commission recommendation, and forward the proposed amendment to City Council.
2. Propose modifications of the proposed amendment and forward the proposal to City Council for final action.
3. Recommend denial of the proposed amendment and forward the proposal to City Council for final action.
Financial Impact:
None. Processing annual comprehensive plan amendments is included in the Department’s base budget.
Attachments:
Application Packet
Public Comment
City Response
Planning Commission recommendation
State Agency Comment