Planning Commission

TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 1 CONVENE: 7:01 p.m. PRESENT: Chair Elizabeth Robbins and Commissioners Grace Edwards, Terry Kirkpatrick, Brandon Staff, and Michael Tobias. Excused: Commissioner Anthony Varela. Staff: Planning Manager Brad Medrud and Housing & Land Use Planner Erika Smith-Erickson. CHANGES TO There were no changes to the agenda. AGENDA: COMMISSIONER’S Commissioner Tobias referred to the recent fire of the former South REPORTS: Pacific Restaurant located off Capitol Boulevard. He inquired as to the responsible party for clean up of the burned site. Manager Medrud responded that an arson investigation has been initiated. The property owner is responsible for securing the site. Several steps are in progress to address the circumstances of the fire and clean up of the site. Commissioner Edwards said she is looking forward to the City’s 4th of July celebrations. MANAGER’S Manager Medrud reported the Commission’s next meeting is a joint REPORT: meeting with the City Council. Staff proposes cancelling the July 23, 2024 meeting. The Commission agreed with the proposal to cancel the July 23, 2024 meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chris Kautsky reported she is a resident of Tumwater and a member of a group advocating for saving the Davis Meeker oak tree. She wants to ensure the Commission considers preserving the oak tree and perhaps adopting an ordinance to protect the tree. The Growth Management Act (GMA) was designed to encourage growth and increase density in areas where infrastructure could be provided efficiently and cost-effectively by local government, which preserves and protects critical areas and reduces the number of residents in the wildlife urban interface and spares natural resources from disorganized random development. In practice, the GMA set lofty goals that have undermined the types of values society places on money and the need to increase the tax base. Property rights and market forces make the goals very difficult to realize. The Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan is the most critical component to implement within the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission should take time to consider Tumwater and what makes the community unique. Tumwater is a small city with citizens preferring the small size. The Commission should work for community identity by drafting and adopting a strong Land Use Element backed by enforceable ordinances. The easy option is boilerplate and rewriting existing language. The Commission should TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 2 preserve the City’s identity, protect the City’s beautiful landscape, critical and environmental habitats, and historic and cultural resources, especially the Davis Meeker Garry oak tree that the community is advocating to save. This pushback gives the power to the dollar by limiting the opportunities for variances adopting unbalanced mitigation strategies and green lighting projects that are in opposition to Comprehensive Plan goals. The Commission should consider what the community would look like in 2050. For example, working from home is the new normal. All state buildings will become vacant. The City does not need another brewery eyesore. The City should be ready with zoning in place and clear guidance for City planners to encourage redevelopment over new development, especially in promoting quality affordable housing. It may appear idealistic and difficult, but European countries are able to manage growth in a healthy way. Her grandfather grew up in a small village in a rural area of Tuscany and it is still possible to walk the hills today where he was once a shepherd and sit in the same house where he lived. She questioned what Tumwater will be like when her children’s grandchildren come to visit. She would like to believe the City would not become a giant sprawling mess resulting from the need to raise tax revenue and satisfy the whims of developers. She appreciates all members for taking on the difficult task of preserving the City’s history and for looking to the future. Chair Robbins thanked Ms. Kautsky for attending and sharing her thoughts. Ms. Kautsky commented on the importance of the Davis Meeker tree and how it has galvanized people to become more involved. Commissioner Tobias asked about the issue surrounding the oak tree. Ms. Kautsky said the Davis-Meeker oak tree is located off Old Highway 99 next to the airport. The tree is the only living object on the Tumwater Historic Register. In May, the Mayor issued a request for proposals and accepted a bid under her administrative authority. The mayor did not complete the proper channels by obtaining a permit from the Historic Preservation Commission to remove the tree from the register and to seek a state permit from the Department of archeology and Historic Preservation, as well as seeking input from the community. The community recently learned that the tree would be removed. A group has been formed to advocate against the removal of the tree. The group is pursuing all avenues through the City government to preserve the tree. The request to the Commission is consider the rarity of listing a living object on the historic register, especially the Davis-Meeker tree as the tree was likely planted by indigenous people likely from the Cowlitz Tribe as the tribe marked the Cowlitz Trail. The trail was used as a trade route from Vancouver Canada to Vancouver Washington. When European settlers arrived along the northern Oregon Trail, many arrived traveling along the Cowlitz Trail with many likely resting under the TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 3 Davis-Meeker oak tree. The Cowlitz Tribe also believes the tree serves as a grave marker for elders. The tree is valuable to Native indigenous people and to the community. The tree was recognized by the City and placed on the historic register. During roadwork in the 80s, the highway was diverted around the oak tree to preserve the tree. The group does not appreciate how the Mayor used her administrative authority and did not govern collaboratively with the community. Today, a pair of rare Kestrels is nesting in the tree. Until the chicks fledge, the tree is protected by federal law enabling time for the group to advocate for the protection of the tree. Sue Sikora said she is a member of the Save the Oak Tree Group. She has observed the work of the Commission over the last several meetings and complimented the good work completed by the Commission. In terms of helping the tree, the City’s ordinances are problematic and lack guidance on how to manage the tree. She suggested the Commission allocate some time for a discussion on how the Commission might consider helping the City Council with ordinances or any other possible actions that might help protect the oak tree. Many Councilmembers are willing to consider changes to ordinances to preserve the tree. She is hopeful the Commission can serve as a resource to assist the Council. She cited the Commission’s role and how it serves as an advisory board to the Council on land use, comprehensive planning issues, and other items the Council believes may need Planning Commission review, to include environmental concerns in the context of protecting natural resources. Chair Robbins thanked Ms. Sikora for her comments and affirmed the role of the Commission serving in an advisory capacity to the Council. Commissioner Staff said he is a descendant of the Bush family and is familiar with the tree and the efforts to save the tree. He oversees the health and preservation of the Bush butternut tree. He sought membership on the Commission because he considers Tumwater as his family’s heritage. 2025 Manager Medrud presented the updated and revised version of the goals COMPREHENSIVE and policies within the Land Use Element. Implementation actions from PLAN PERIODIC the existing element were incorporated within the updated version, as UPDATE – LAND well as updating some language based on comments received. USE ELEMENT: Manager Medrud reviewed proposed revisions: Growth Management Goals: New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal, Goal Policy Action Language Notes Policy or Action LU-1 Ensure the Land Use New overarching None Element is goal coordinated with TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 4 other City, neighboring jurisdictional, and regional plans. LU-1.1 Engage residents in Change to LU- Engage in planning for the City 1.3 planning on a neighborhood level with residents of the City (Reference Appendix A: Neighborhood Appendix) LU- Structure public Addresses Continue 1.1.1 involvement in the former public planning process so Implementation involvement in decisions made Policy #10. the planning regarding the growth process so and development of decisions made the City engage all regarding the parts of the growth and community, reflect development of general community the City are goals, and are reflective of sensitive to special general interests of effected community parties. goals and sensitive to special interests of effected parties. LU-1.2 Coordinate the Land Focus on City Ensure the Use Element and plans and Land Use Citywide Land Use regulations. Element is Map with the rest of implementable the Comprehensive and Plan and all adopted coordinated City plans and with all regulations. applicable City plans and the plans of other jurisdictions in the Thurston region. LU- Implement the Also addresses Ensure 1.2.1 following City plans former consistency and maps through Implementation between the the Land Use Policies #9, #14, Land Use Element: 1. #15, and #16. Element and Tumwater Historic Tumwater District Master Plan Historic 2. Shoreline Master District Master Program Plan. 3. Economic IP #9 – Development Plan Review and 4. Zoning Code and modify, as Map necessary, 5. Capital Facilities existing plans Plan and to ensure Transportation consistency Improvement Plans with the Land 6. Tumwater – Use Element. Thurston County IP #14 – Joint Plan Implement the TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 5 7. Housing Action Housing Action Plan Plan strategies 8. Thurston Climate through land Mitigation Plan use actions by 9. Urban Forestry the City. Management Plan IP #15 – Implement the strategies in the most recent version of the Climate Mitigation Plan through land use actions by the City. IP #16 – Implement the Urban Forestry Management Plan through the municipal code, Development Guidelines, City employee processes, and community education and engagement. Manager Medrud reported the revised goals recognize coordination between all City plans and regional planning goals. The prior element included a series of old policies and consistency with specific plans, which have been consolidated in the new proposed policy. In response to an inquiry about the missing Thurston Hazard Mitigation Plan, Manager Medrud advised that the plan would be included as well as included within the Climate Element. Staff explored overarching Comprehensive Plan goals, such as ensuring participation in the community within the development of regulations and policies, equity, climate change issues, and other broader aspects that are often part of other Comprehensive Plan elements. Individual implementation actions in each element would be included as appropriate. Staff continues to work on the structure of formatting the information as eight overarching goals were identified from discussions with the consultant working on the update of the Transportation Element. Staff continues to work on the interconnectiveness of some policies and implementation actions. Chair Robbins referred to the intent to consolidate various plans within LU-1.2.1. She questioned whether it would be important to acknowledge other City or regional management plans, such as the recent wildland-urban interface regulations or other plans/actions developed or implemented in the near term. Manager Medrud agreed it would be appropriate to add an additional implementation action in addition to the other regional actions and initiatives. TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 6 Commissioner Staff asked whether the element should address derelict properties with the advent of the burning of the old restaurant near the brewery. Manager Medrud advised that derelict properties are addressed by the City’s code in addition to the Building Code and other City codes. The codes cover derelict and unsafe structures, as well as hazardous sites. The City has initiated an arson investigation for the incident. The Building Official is engaged in conversations with the fire department on the status of the investigation process. The property maintenance code also applies Citywide to any property. New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal Policy Action Language Notes Goal, Policy, or Action LU-1.4 Review and update This is a Encourage the the Tumwater Town reference to the creation of a Center Plan Town Center. new city center Need to confirm that is that this is still a compatible goal of the City. with the Land Use Element. Manager Medrud reported that one pending question surrounds the Tumwater Town Center Plan. Currently, the plan identifies the area of the Town Center as an area divided into different zoning districts, such as mixed use, office, residential, etc. Some development of the Town Center has occurred but not at a high level over the last 25 years in support of the plan. It will be important to revisit the plan to determine if development is still a goal to retain or modify. One complicating factor is that the southern half of the Town Center land is owned by the Port of Olympia with leasing options rather than outright ownership. He invited feedback from the Commission. New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal Policy Action Language Notes Goal, Policy, or Action LU-2 Ensure development Modified. Ensure takes place in an development orderly and cost- takes place in efficient manner to an orderly and best utilize available cost-efficient land and public manner in order services, conserve to best utilize natural resources, available land protect critical areas, and public preserve open space, services, addresses equity and conserve climate change, and natural reduce sprawl resources, protect critical areas, preserve open space, and reduce sprawl. Manager Medrud reported on recent state legislation establishing TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 7 specific timeframes for the City to review and follow-up with an applicant on the status of a development application. The legislation also included a series of new monitoring and reporting requirements. Staff has been implementing a new City-wide reporting system. The system was implemented in the Finance Department with plans to implement the new system within Planning and Permitting beginning at the end of the year. The implementation of the new system has been in progress the last four years. The new state requirements are in addition to the capabilities available within the new system. He encouraged Commissioners to offer any proposals to revise and update the new policy. Staff is scheduled to meet with Thurston Regional Planning Council staff to discuss housing, which will assist in revising the policy. New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal Policy Action Language Notes Goal, Policy, or Action LU-2.2 Use innovative land Revised. Encourage use management innovative land techniques to create use and maintain vibrant management centers, corridors, techniques such and neighborhoods as density while bonuses, cluster accommodating housing, zero- growth and lot-line protecting critical development, areas. planned unit developments, and transfer of development rights to create vibrant centers, corridors, and neighborhoods while accommodating growth. Planner Smith-Erickson noted that the City received public comments on neighborhood and city centers with respect to the overall design for the City. The comments were from a community survey focusing on community character. Commissioner Tobias referred to language stating,”Will need to define “a regular basis” in more detail. Every three or five years?” and questioned the timing of review for different policies in terms of maintaining consistency with other policies. He suggested establishing a schedule of policy review for consistency. Manager Medrud noted that one method similar to the Housing Action Plan includes initiating necessary amendments to the Comprehensive Plan to add additional policies and updating language as needed. A similar approach would be appropriate for any updates to a plan. TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 8 Chair Robbins asked whether there are situations that trigger a need for monitoring and update rather than updating the Comprehensive Plan if a need has been identified. Manager Medrud said staff prefers language that speaks to updating as necessary because of potential legislative changes and the lack of staff capacity. Staff lacks the capacity to conduct an entire review of all policies. Another consideration is the timing of the update of the Comprehensive Plan, which has been extended from five to ten years. Recently the Legislature extended this year’s 10-year update for another six months. It is important to identify a middle ground to initiate reviews. Some elements, such as the Housing Element, require a report in five years. Planner Smith-Erickson noted that many of the City’s plans incorporate update timelines. She supports adding a general statement because other measures are available to update when needed. Manager Medrud added that many of the reviews by staff have discovered many provisions in codes are questionable in terms of the effectiveness of the provision that often adds more complications. Staff is working on language to reduce complications to the extent possible. Because the City has updated so many codes related to environmental impacts, the SEPA process is often no longer needed as it was in the 1980s and 1990s. Manager Medrud advised that no changes are proposed to Goal LU-3: Ensure adequate public services, facilities, and publicly owned utilities are available to proposed and existing development. Equitable Community Goals – Housing, Transportation, and Open Space New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal, Goal Policy Action Language Notes Policy, or Action LU-4 Create land use No changes Encourage land patterns that increase proposed. use patterns the availability of that increase affordable housing the availability for all economic of affordable segments of the housing for all Tumwater economic population. segments of the Tumwater population. LU-4.1 Coordinate Modified. Coordinate the residential uses and Coordination Land Use densities in the Land with other Element with Use Element with Elements and the Housing the Housing Plans addressed Element and Element. in LU 1.2. fully implement the goals, policies, and actions of the Housing Element. TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 9 LU-4.2 Use innovative Modified. Encourage techniques to innovative support the provision techniques for of affordable providing housing. affordable housing resulting in an attractive product that will be an asset to the Tumwater community. LU-4.3 Experiment with Modified. Permit regulations that implementing allow for new forms regulations to of residential experiment in development where new forms of amenities of open residential space, privacy, and development visual quality can be where maintained or amenities of improved, and open space, flexible solutions to privacy, and land use problems visual quality such as density, can be diversity, maintained or equitability, and improved, and affordability can be flexible achieved. solutions to land use problems such as density, diversity, equitability, and affordability can be achieved. LU-4.4 Increase housing Modified. Increase types and densities Combined LU- housing types to meet the needs of 4.6 and LU 4.7. and densities in a changing corridors and population with centers to meet supporting design the needs of a guidelines. changing population. Manager Medrud referred to Goal LU-4 and indicated the first three policies are Growth Management Act requirements. The proposal includes separate policies addressing equitable policies for housing, transportation, and open space. Each policy focuses on the Land Use Element in terms of housing to ensure coordination between land use and housing for densities, inventive techniques to create more housing, and increasing housing types and densities to meet changing populations. The proposal includes some minor changes in language to existing policies to meet the intent and goals of the current Housing Element. He encouraged Commissioners to offer suggestions for any additional considerations. TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 10 Chair Robbins asked whether the policies also address cell towers and power transmission. Manager Medrud advised that cell towers and power transmission issues are addressed in the Lands for Public Purposes Element, as well as in Land Use Goal 3. Some particular elements are addressed in other goals within the Land Use Element. The Utilities Element addresses private providers of those types of services while Lands for Public Purposes Element addresses water, sewer, stormwater, etc. New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal, Goal Policy Action Language Notes Policy, or Action LU-5 Ensure development Modified. Ensure patterns provide development efficient multimodal patterns and active encourage transportation efficient multi- systems coordinated modal with City and transportation regional systems transportation plans. coordinated with regional, Manager Medrud reported Goal LU-5 emphasizes the importance of land use patterns supporting the multimodal transportation system, as well as addressing the purpose of the transportation system and the ease for people to choose different options for accessing land uses. Commissioner Tobias said the proposed change speaks to ensuring development patterns rather than encouraging development patterns to provide efficient multi-modal transportation systems. He asked whether the proposed language exposes the City to liability if the City was unable or was not providing multi-modal and other active forms of transportation. Manager Medrud said the language does not create an issue but rather it positions the City in strengthening regulations that require new development to provide for different transportation options. The City currently requires bicycle parking dependent on the land use as well as connections between different land uses. Within the arena of transportation, prior work completed by Thurston Thrives, a countywide group focused on improving the health of the community through housing, environment, and transportation, identified through a community-wide survey of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater both formal and informal non-motorized connection possibilities. The work was completed in conjunction with development occurring near Olympia’s regional trail system. The development did not attempt to connect to the regional trail system. The group was seeking opportunities throughout the three cities and identified some measures that the City of Tumwater should consider when planning for transportation changes to ensure those types of connections are provided by private development when it occurs. Subsequently, the update of the Transportation Plan will consider including those types TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 11 of provisions. Chair Robbins encouraged thinking beyond just vehicle transportation as efficient development also could provide the infrastructure of other efficient transportation options as well as other types of infrastructure (sewer, water, etc.) choices. Commissioner Staff commented that the Destination Marketing Plan produced by Olympia and Beyond for Thurston County addresses connecting different communities. The Plan of over 400 pages was recently completed. He suggested scheduling a review of the plan to the Commission by the Executive Director. Manager Medrud agreed it would be an appropriate topic for review. He plans to obtain and forward a copy to the transportation consultant. Chair Robbins offered a more simplistic description of Goal LU-5 of “Development patterns that emphasize the movement of people.” Manager Medrud replied that staff and the transportation consultant are developing some language for goals in the Transportation Plan that would serve the same purpose. When the draft of the Transportation Plan is available, it will provide the Commission with more support in making further revisions to the goals. Most of the policies are focused on how the City can ensure land development and land use can accomplish specific objectives. New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal, Goal Policy Action Language Notes Policy, or Action LU-5.7 Require land Modified. Encourage land development development proposals to utilize proposals to the capacity of the utilize the existing capacity of the transportation existing system, especially transportation transit and non- system, motorized modes. especially transit and non- motorized modes. Chair Robbins suggested additional discussion on Goal 5-7, specifically, utilizing the capacity of the existing transportation system. She referred to the growth management goal for funding of infrastructure when demand increases, which appears to be contrary to the proposed language. Manager Medrud said the policy does not speak to exceeding the capacity but utilizing existing capacity. However, within the City’s existing transportation infrastructure, the transit system is one element that could be expanded. Chair Robbins offered that if the policy only pertains to transit and non-motorized modes, the language should be revised to reflect those intentions, otherwise it appears to apply to all transportation modes. Manager TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 12 Medrud explained that the policy speaks to existing capacity. If a proposal exceeds the transportation capacity in terms of cars or reducing the level of service of an intersection, the developer is responsible for improvements to meet requirements. New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal, Goal Policy Action Language Notes Policy, or Action LU- Require public and Modified. Encourage 5.8 private development public and proposals to enhance private the street side development environment to proposals to maximize comfort enhance the for the transit user street side and the pedestrian. environment to maximize comfort for the transit user and the pedestrian. LU- Discourage Modified. Discourage 5.10 transportation transportation improvements, improvements, regardless of their regardless of financing their financing mechanisms that mechanisms would trigger that would development trigger inconsistent with the premature Comprehensive development; Plans and zoning. that is, development inconsistent with applicable comprehensive plans and zoning. LU- Ensure alternative Modified. Ensure 5.11 transportation modes alternative are included in land transportation developments. modes are included in comprehensive plans, subdivisions, and other land developments. Commissioner Kirkpatrick suggested Goal LU-5-8 should have accompanying implementation actions as the goal speaks to action. The proposed language of “require” versus “encourage” should include implementation actions. Manager Medrud affirmed that staff would review the language. Commissioner Tobias recommended some punctuation corrections to Policy LU-5-10, as the current language is indicative of the financing mechanism triggering the development. Manager Medrud affirmed staff would review the language. TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 13 Commissioner Kirkpatrick asked whether Policy LU-5-11 could be interpreted to include sidewalks. Manager Medrud affirmed staff would revise the language that speaks to other improvements, such as bike lanes. Chair Robbins questioned whether the policies are applicable only to a development proposal because it appears the goal is to connect usage of sidewalks, trails, and pathways to services and other locations. Residential Land Use Goals New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal, Goal Policy Action Language Notes Policy, or Action LU-6 Ensure physical No changes Ensure physical limitations of the proposed. limitations of land are observed the land are during the observed development during the process. development process. Manager Medrud reported no changes are proposed to Goal LU-6. LU-7.3 Ensure multifamily Modified. Allow for residential multi-family development occurs residential in integrated centers development in to ensure multimodal the zoning access to services. code. Consideration should be given to encouraging this type of development near centers of community services. Manager Medrud reviewed Residential Land Use Goals under LU-7 to support development of residential uses, which was modified. Implementation actions appear to be more related to policy rather than an action. Commissioner Kirkpatrick referred to LU-7-3 and suggested new multi-family residential developments should be encouraged in outlying areas lacking transit service as a way to promote the extension of transit service to those areas. Manager Medrud said the intent is to avoid developing islands that could eventually be served in lieu of encouraging development within areas that are currently served by transit services. Commissioner Kirkpatrick responded that it would be important for the City to direct the development of islands otherwise the City might only have transit service on Capitol Boulevard and Littlerock Road over the next 10 years. TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 14 Commercial Land Use Goals New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal, Goal Policy Action Language Notes Policy, or Action LU-8 Support Modified. Identify the development of Separated City's policies commercial uses in commercial and and regulations appropriate areas. industrially pertaining to related goals. commercial and industrial areas and uses. LU-9 Support Modified. Identify the development of Separated City's policies manufacturing, commercial and and regulations industrial, and industrially pertaining to warehouse uses in related goals. commercial appropriate areas. and industrial areas and uses. Manager Medrud reviewed some minor modifications to the Goal LU- 8. Similar goals were added for manufacturing, industrial, and warehouse uses that were not previously addressed. The goals and policies were separated for industrial and commercial uses. Goal LU-8 pertains only to commercial uses and Goal LU-9 pertains only to industrial and warehouse uses. Chair Robbins commented that it might be appropriate to include multi-modal choices within commercial and residential areas. Commissioner Kirkpatrick added that many light industrial areas in the City include commercial uses with many industrial and commercial uses co-mingling. Discussion ensued on ways to distinguish the type of traffic frequenting a bar versus an industrial use. Manager Medrud pointed out the importance of flexibility for using space in different ways, which in itself can be complicated. Chair Robbins suggested infrastructure should be developed if the purpose is to afford flexibility for different uses. Commissioners and staff identified the Spuds Market as an example of a commercial use within an industrial area. The area around the market lacks sidewalks and access is limited by either vehicle or walking on the road or the grass. The area was originally designed for warehouse uses. While it was being designed and constructed, the City transitioned the allowance from small warehouses to large warehouses. The proposed development was not of a sufficient size and subsequently remained empty. TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 15 Parks and Open Space Land Use Goals New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal, Goal Policy Action Language Notes Policy, or Action LU- Retain open space, Modified Encourage 10 parks, trails, and retention of support development open space, of recreational parks, trails, opportunities within and Tumwater. development of recreational opportunities within Tumwater. Public Facilities Goals LU- Support New goal. [New goal] 11 development of public facilities in appropriate areas. LU- Provide for the New goal {New goal} 12 location of essential public facilities as defined under State law. LU- Ensure that where New policy {New policy} 12.2 possible, essential public facility sites are used jointly for public benefit. LU- Utilize the following New policy {New policy} 12.4 siting criteria for siting new or expansion of existing essential public facilities: 1. Proximity to major transportation routes and essential infrastructure; 2. Land use compatibility with surrounding areas; 3. Potential environmental impacts; 4. Effects on resource and critical areas; 5. Public costs and benefits including operation and maintenance; 6. Current capacity and location of equivalent facilities; 7. The existence, within the City, of reasonable alternatives to the proposed activity, and 8. Other criteria as determined relevant to the specific TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 16 essential public facility. Manager Medrud advised that Goals LU-11 and LU-12 are new goals for Essential Public Facilities. The Land Use Element also includes Essential Public Facilities. Although the City had codes addressing essential public facilities, the City lacked policies. Essential Public Facilities are uses that society wants and needs but most residents do not want the uses near their neighborhoods. Sections of the City’s code within the conditional use permitting requirements address Essential Public Facilities. The same language is also included in the Lands for Public Purposes Element. However, policies are lacking that speak to goals and objectives. Commissioner Kirkpatrick questioned the intent of the language in LU- 12.4 (2) Land use compatibility with surrounding areas. Manager Medrud explained that the policy stipulates what a developer must satisfy to develop an essential public facility such as close to major transportation, assurance of compatibility of surrounding uses, and addressing potential environmental impacts, etc. Although it is important to include it in the policy, he agreed staff would review and improve the intent of the language. The language is from the RCW. An example of compatibility with surrounding areas is not placing a noisy use next to a residential neighborhood. Commissioner Kirkpatrick said LU-12.2 infers that an essential public facility has no public benefit. Discussion followed on the content and intent of language within several of the new policies. As noted by Chair Robbins, essential public facilities can also be a highway system, prisons, or schools. Staff agreed to review and revise the language to improve clarity. New New New Proposed Staff Current Goal, Goal Policy Action Language Notes Policy, or Action LU- Protect Olympia No changes are Protect 13 Regional Airport proposed. Olympia from incompatible Regional land uses and Airport from activities that could incompatible affect present and land uses and future use of airport activities that facilities and could affect operations. present and Regulations and future use of criteria should airport facilities reflect the urban and operations. environment Regulations adjacent to the and criteria airport. should reflect the urban environment adjacent to the airport. TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING June 25, 2024 Page 17 No changes are proposed to LU-13 addressing the Olympia Regional Airport. Commissioner Kirkpatrick noted that the draft includes two LU-13 goals with the second addressing Historic Preservation Goals. Staff affirmed the draft would be corrected. Manager Medrud reported other policies or goals from other elements have been moved to the Land Use Element as well as to the Conservation Element, Economic Element, and the Transportation Plan. Some older implementation policies were moved to the Land Use Element and from the Lands for Public Purposes Element. The Commission will receive an updated version after incorporating updates and the land capacity analysis. He encouraged the Commission to contact him with any suggestions or comments. The Commission is scheduled to review the Climate Element during the July 13, 2024 joint work session with the City Council. Commissioners were encouraged to consider any questions that should be part of the discussion with the Council. Drafting of the Climate Element is moving quickly as more resources are available. Manager Medrud said staff is not proposing a separate Commission meeting following the joint work session. The City is seeking to replace the vacant Economic Development Manager position. Input from the position is desired for drafting the update of the Economic Development Plan. Additionally, a joint tour with the City Council is scheduled on August 27, 2024 focusing on the Transportation Element. The Council’s annual recess is scheduled during the first two weeks in August 2024. Planner Smith-Erickson reported the virtual open house is open for the Housing Element, as well as a housing survey until September. Staff continues to network and participate in community events to receive feedback from the community. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled on July 13, 2024 as a joint work session DATE: with the City Council. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Edwards, moved, seconded by Commissioner Staff, to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m. A voice vote approved the motion unanimously. Prepared by Valerie L. Gow, Recording Secretary/President Puget Sound Meeting Services @ psmsoly@earthlink.net