Land Use & Environment Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Land Use & Environment Committee Information: 360.753.8447 Tuesday, June 23, 2015 5:30 PM Council Chambers Special Meeting 1. ROLL CALL Present: 3 - Chair Steve Langer, Committee member Julie Hankins and Committee member Jeannine Roe OTHERS PRESENT Community Planning and Development (CP&D) Director Keith Stahley CP&D Principal Planner Todd Stamm CP&D Deputy Director Leonard Bauer CP&D Downtown Liaison Brian Wilson CP&D Senior Planner Stacey Ray Public Works Waste ReSources Senior Program Specialist Ron Jones Public Works Senior Planner Laura Keehan Public Works Water Resources Director Andy Haub 2. CALL TO ORDER Chair Langer called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 15-0623 Approval of April 23, 2015 Land Use and Environment Committee Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 4.A 15-0601 Consider the Department of Ecology’s Required and Recommended Changes to the City’s Shoreline Master Program Mr. Stahley presented the changes to the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). Discussion: -Consider forwarding a recommendation to City Council to approve the SMP. -Some changes are required, others are suggestions. -Appreciation to staff for hard work, particularly Nancy Lenzi for compiling the packet. -The changes were reviewed and slight revisions from staff were noted. City of Olympia Page 1 Land Use & Environment Meeting Minutes June 23, 2015 Committee The recommendation was approved. PUBLIC COMMENT -Question about view impact section. -Impacts on heron species. -Concerns over the 30 foot setback being too short. 4.B 15-0488 Briefing on Critical Areas Ordinance Ms. Ray presented the briefing on the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). Discussion: -Critical areas are managed to protect the public and conform to the Washington Growth Management Act. -Focus includes water quality, food chain support, and protection from natural hazards. -The deadline to conduct technical review is June 30, 2016. -Staff recommended updates including adopting the Washington wetland rating system and clarifying language. -Staff will return at the July 23 meeting to provide an update. -Private property rights will be taken into account. -Protection efforts are focused on the species and this would allow protection of herons. -A best-available science review would inform the enforcement of the ordinance. -Additional protection efforts can be made by the community. The information was received. PUBLIC COMMENT -A request was made to specifically add the blue heron to the CAO. -It is important to focus on the species as a part of an ecosystem, not individually. -Herons are important beyond science and impact people through things such as art. -Heron nests have been destroyed by development. -Seattle is spending a lot of money to return their land to the state that ours is still in. -Olympia has not adopted the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) request to protect the heron. Committee Response: -Request for staff to bring comments to help speed up the process and look at the DFW request for potential adoption. -Request for staff to return with options to consider. 4.C 15-0453 Update on the Low Impact Development Code Revision Project Ms. Keehan provided an update on the Low Impact Development (LID) code revision. City of Olympia Page 2 Land Use & Environment Meeting Minutes June 23, 2015 Committee Discussion: -Comprehensive code revisions are required in order to meet the preferred stats expectation. -A full LID code revision will take place in 2016. -Issue papers are being developed to express best management practices. -The code includes site evaluation, design, storm water, landscaping, and pavements. -A technical work group will be used to refine the documents. -The Olympia Drainage Manual will also be updated. -Ideally, this system will benefit the ecosystem and improve water quality in Puget Sound. -The goal is to improve how we develop properties and utilize more dispersed treatment methods. The information was received. 4.D 15-0428 2015-2020 Waste ReSources Management Plan Mr. Jones presented an update to the 2008-2013 Management Plan. Discussion: -Key issues have been fleshed out with the help of consultants. -Our City is recycling at a decent rate compared with other cities. -There are many materials we do not have local systems in place to recycle. -Current goals include reduction of waste, increasing recycling/composting, and operating safely and efficiently. -The next step is to forward the plan to Council for approval. The plan was referred to the City Council for consideration at the August 11, 2015 Council meeting. 4.E 15-0625 ORAL REPORT - Status Reports and Updates Mr. Wilson provided a report on recent City business. Discussion: -The Clean Team picks up over 1000 lbs. of recyclables a month and the cigarette receptacles are well used. -The Volunteers in Paint program has brought over 80 realtors and many others to paint downtown. -The Welcome Center has had nearly 1000 visitors since opening for Arts Walk. -The Play at the Well event series kicks off on June 27. -The Bridge series will be doing seven events downtown at The Commons. -Top floor apartments at 123 4th Avenue are going for roughly $3000/mo. Committee Comments: -Appreciation for Anna Schlecht and her work heading the paint program and presenting. The report was completed. City of Olympia Page 3 Land Use & Environment Meeting Minutes June 23, 2015 Committee 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. City of Olympia Page 4