Title
Approval of an Ordinance Adopting the 2023 Engineering Design and Development Standards Update
Recommended Action
Land Use and Environment Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use & Environment Committee reviewed and concurred with the proposed 2023 Engineering Design and Development Standards update.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve an Ordinance adopting amendments to the Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) and related changes to the Olympia Municipal Code on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an Ordinance adopting 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):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
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 August 24, 2023. A public hearing was held on December 5, 2023, on the proposed changes.
Climate Analysis:
Several of the substantive changes support the City's Climate Mitigation Strategies. One of these, Frontage Improvement Thresholds, reduces the scope and cost of required frontage improvements for change of use, remodels, and tenant improvements for smaller projects. This encourages reuse of existing, developed properties, supporting urban density, and reducing urban sprawl.
Another substantive change, Protected Bike Lanes, established standards for separated and enhanced bike lanes that further encourage the use of bicycles and related, non-motorized modes of transportation. This will increase the efficiency of the transportation system and reduce greenhouse gases, as community members are more likely to use bicycles instead of motorized vehicles.
Clarifying the standards a...
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