Title
Comprehensive Plan Update Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter - Deliberations
Recommended Action
Move to recommend approval of the updated Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recommend approval of the updated Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.
Staff Contact:
Sylvana Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning and Maintenance, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.753.8068
Presenter(s):
N/A - Planning Commission Deliberations
Background and Analysis:
The Comprehensive Plan describes the community's long-term vision and goals, looking out twenty years into the future. Olympia first adopted a Comprehensive Plan over fifty years ago.
The Comprehensive Plan covers the area of the Olympia City Limits and the urban growth area. It covers issues like housing, land use, transportation, parks and open spaces, utilities and public services, and the economy. It also reflects community values, such as public participation, addressing climate change, and tree preservation.
The Comprehensive Plan is the adopted vision for how and where growth will occur and how our community will be served with utilities, infrastructure, and public services.
Updates to the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter are a result of:
• 2022 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan (Adopted Master Plan)
• Growth Management Act requirements
• Public comments (emails, surveys, public meetings)
• OPC & PRAC comments
• Staff comments
• City of Lacey and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) comments
Public Hearing
Although there was no public testimony at the public hearing, the Commission did have questions for staff on the proposed chapter, primarily regarding equity and the new language. In response to these questions, staff proposes to move the challenge statements before the equity goals, to help clarify the reason for the goals being proposed.
Climate Analysis:
The 2025 Comprehensive Plan addresses Climate Change in each chapter as well as a chapter dedicated to the City’s overall goals and policies for climate resilience and mitigation.
Equity Analysis:
The 2025 Comprehensive Plan addresses Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in each chapter. The proposed Parks, Arts and Recreation chapter has goals and policies regarding equity issues that were adopted in the 2022 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Olympia Community has shown an interest through a variety of public engagement
opportunities, which has resulted in various updates throughout the chapter.
Options:
1. Move to approve the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan as written. Direct the Chair to write a letter of recommendation to City Council.
2. Move motion to approve the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, with modifications. Direct the Chair to write a letter of recommendation to City Council.
3. Move to recommend not modifying the Parks, Arts and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.
Financial Impact:
The financial impact of updating the PAR Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan has been absorbed by department budgets. The financial costs associated with implementation of proposed goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan are examined in more detail in master plans and strategic plans, such as the Capital Investment Strategy, Capital Facilities Plan and Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan.
If the Comprehensive Plan is not adopted as scheduled in 2025, the result would put the City of Olympia out of compliance with the GMA, which would jeopardize many different funding sources, including grants.
Attachments:
Track Changes Draft Chapter
OPC Draft Recommendation Letter