Olympia Site Committee reviews Bailey's Inn project on Martin Way

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission hearing on the Bailey's Inn phase 2 project, which proposed constructing a five-story residential building with 89 units at 3337 Martin Way E on Wednesday, January 25.

Applicant Glenn Wells gave an overview of the project, which proposal includes a thin strip of commercial space where there would be the elevator and tenant amenities.

The proposed building would have structured parking and a solid waste compactor.

The second-floor plan would be above the parking level and have a central courtyard, acting as open space for the tenants. The third and fourth floors would also be residential units.

In the narrative submitted to the committee, the project site is located in an HCD-4 zone and is subject to a developer's agreement with Olympia seven years ago.

As part of the agreement, Franz Anderson Road would need to be extended to Martin Way.

Olympia planner Jackson Ewing discussed the process for the project that would have to go through, including reviews from the land use, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and board-level design.

Ewing noted that the HDC zone design standards focus on having an entry from Martin Way to an intersection, Franz Anderson Road.

"The design review code will push for a pedestrian-oriented entrance at the corner of Martin Way and Franz Anderson Road," Ewing noted.

Ewing added that the HDC design standards also require the building to have a primary entrance, fronting Martin Way, and it needs to be at the corner. "We would be looking at a pedestrian-oriented entryway at that corner."

Erik Jensen, the city's building official, reminded Wells of some significant changes in the parking. He said the Olympia City Council is looking at the going electric charging (EV) requirements.

Wells said he was aware of the plans and that 90% of the parking stalls are EV-ready.

"It was overkill," Wells commented. He said he participated in the workshop when the city conducted EV charging orientation for developers and business owners.