Title
2021 Engineering Design and Development Standards Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to accept staff’s list of 2021 updates of the Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDs).
Report
Issue:
Whether to accept staff’s list of topics to be addressed in the 2021 update of the EDDS.
Staff Contact:
Stephen Sperr, P.E., Assistant City Engineer, Public Works Engineering, 360.753.8739
Presenter(s):
Stephen Sperr, P.E., Assistant City Engineer, Public Works Engineering
Background and Analysis:
The EDDS guide the design and construction of transportation, drinking water, reclaimed water, sewer, stormwater, and solid waste collection systems. They are also the technical interpretation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and various utility master plans. The City Engineer is responsible for approving and administering the EDDS.
The EDDS are updated annually to:
o Implement Goals and Policies established in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and other Council-approved plans such as the Downtown Strategy,
o Reflect changes to the Olympia Municipal Code (OMC), particularly Titles 12-18,
o Help implement policies established in approved Utility Master Plans,
o Address changes in equipment and materials,
o Enable the use of improvements in technology, and
o Clarify information and requirements described in the text and shown on standard drawings.
A short presentation will be made on the list of 2021 topics and highlight a few topics of particular interest, including street connectivity, downtown sidewalk standards, thresholds for frontage improvements and private streets in mobile home parks. These topics implement Comprehensive Plan goals and policies consistent with reducing housing and development costs while maintaining public safety. Some of these topics will require significant staff time and public input before being finalized. This will likely result in a 12-18 month time frame to fully develop and approve some of these changes.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The EDDS provide predictability and consistency in how the City’s infrastructure is built. Making timely changes to the EDDS ensures that infrastructure installed meets the most current standards and builds the foundation for the City’s vision.
Information related to the proposed changes is available on the City webpage dedicated to the EDDS. Stakeholders are engaged throughout the review and approval process.
Options:
1. Accept staff’s list of 2021 updates of the EDDS. Staff will continue to develop the changes to the proposed topics, bringing back to this Committee the draft changes in June for recommendation to City Council.
2. Recommend additional topics to be addressed through the 2021 annual update process. Staff will engage stakeholders and develop specific text and drawing changes to include in the draft 2021 EDDS.
Financial Impact:
Most of the proposed changes should not result in notable increases to the costs of private development or public work projects. However, those addressing street connectivity, downtown sidewalk standards, thresholds for frontage improvements and private streets in mobile home parks, should end up costing less to owners and developers.
Attachments:
2021 EDDS Schedule
Summary of Proposed Changes