Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending the Comprehensive Plan to Modify Policy Related to Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use and Environment Committee and the Planning Commission recommend approval of the attached ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan to modify policy PN 8.1, related to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, of the Natural Environment chapter.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan to modify policy PN 8.1, related to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, of the Natural Environment chapter on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to modify policy PN 8.1, related to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, of the Natural Environment chapter.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis has not changed from first to second reading.
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. Both goals were reflective of the North America 2050 coalition and the State of Washington emission reduction provisions adopted in state law (70.235.020 RCW). 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.
The change in base year was proposed because inventories developed after 1990 provide a more accurate accounting of emissions. Essentially, there is better data for the 2015 base year than what exists for 1990. As a result of changing the base year, the overall percentage of reduction proposed by the end year of 2050 has been increased (from 80 percent to 85 percent). The effect of increasing the percentage based on the change in base year used is that the amount of reduced emissions is essentially the same outcome.
Having a shared base year and shared GHG emissions reduction goal will allow the partnering jurisdictions to work more fully in cooperation as we move, as a region, toward this goal.
At the end of the Phase 1 work, each of the 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 2019.
The attached ordinance includes 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 has been received.
Options:
1. Approve the ordinance adopting the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment, as proposed.
2. Approve the ordinance adopting the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment, as modified by the Council.
3. Do not approve the ordinance adopting the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
Financial Impact:
None - Annual processing of any city-proposed annual comprehensive plan amendments is included in the base budget.
Attachments:
Ordinance
Planning Commission recommendation
State Agency Letter of Support