Joyce Phillips, Principal Planner for Community Planning & Development, offered a detailed update on the revisions proposed for the goals and policies within the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) as part of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
Phillips emphasized the importance of these revisions in shaping Olympia's future growth while promoting sustainability, equity, and financial responsibility.
At the Monday, Nov. 4 meeting, the Olympia Planning Commission thoroughly discussed the proposed changes and shared valuable feedback as part of the review process. The session marked an important step in refining the plan before it is finalized for the upcoming public hearing.
The first goal of Olympia 2045 focuses on balancing urban growth with environmental conservation. Phillips highlighted the revisions emphasize maximizing existing public facilities and improving safety, well-being, and the natural environment.
Key changes include a new focus on enhancing the natural environment, which was not as explicitly addressed in the original framework.
Policy 1.1 now allows for biennial updates to the Capital Facilities Plan, providing greater budgeting flexibility.
Another significant revision in Policy 1.5 highlights the importance of long-term financial strategies, including prioritizing capital projects that serve the city's residents and utility customers outside city limits.
The amendment also includes more transparent language regarding the costs associated with capital projects, ensuring that design and construction expenses are considered.
A significant revision in Policy 1.7 prioritizes projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase climate resilience. "This aligns with the Growth Management Act," Phillips said, reflecting the city’s sustainability goals.
Lastly, Policy 1.9, which pertains to the coordination with Olympia and North Thurston School Districts, was updated to clarify that the city will ensure that school district capital facilities plans align with the city’s comprehensive growth strategy.
"This update will help create a more consistent approach between the city and school districts regarding infrastructure development," Phillips said.
Goal 2 ensures capital facilities are available to support future growth in Olympia and its Urban Growth Area. While the goal remains unchanged, several policy revisions add flexibility to accommodate changing conditions.
Policy 2.1 suggests breaking future growth projects into phases for better financial planning, while Policy 2.3 focuses on strategically planning public facilities and utilities to align with the city’s long-term growth.
The addition of Policy 2.5 introduces climate change and affordable housing considerations to the forefront in adherence to recent legislative amendments. It underscores the city’s commitment to planning for various housing options and responding to climate change impacts.
Meanwhile, Goal 3 underscores managing fiscal resources wisely to avoid undue strain on the city's finances. Policy 3.4 proposes additional funding strategies, including tax increment financing, local improvement districts, and public-private partnerships to support capital projects.
Policy 3.5 focuses on assessing ongoing operational costs when acquiring or developing new facilities and exploring financial mechanisms to offset these costs to secure sustainable development without overburdening the city’s operating budget.
For Goal 4, which highlights equity, inclusion, and public engagement in the planning process, the city recognizes involving underrepresented communities in decision-making.
Phillips noted, "Goal 4 focuses on enhancing public participation and ensuring all residents, especially those from marginalized communities, have a voice in planning and development.”
The goal includes strategies to increase community engagement, such as more accessible public hearings, improved outreach, and inclusive planning frameworks.
Policy 4.1 proposes making public meetings and events more accessible, particularly for communities with language barriers or other challenges.
"We want everyone, regardless of background, to have a say in the plans that will shape their communities," Phillips said.
The city also plans to prioritize equity in resource distribution for capital facilities.
"We’re committed to ensuring new infrastructure benefits are fairly distributed, especially in historically underserved areas," Phillips added, noting a focus on investing in regions that have received less attention.
During the discussion, Commissioner Raphael Garcia proposed a separate goal specifically focused on environmental leadership and natural design. Garcia said that this focus would ensure that environmental considerations are given proper attention rather than being merged with broader goals like climate resilience or population growth.
The proposal generated interest among commissioners and sparked a discussion about refining the city's approach to urban sustainability.
Equity became a central theme during the meeting. Garcia suggested incorporating equity-based metrics into Goal 4 to address infrastructure gaps in underserved areas.
This sparked a broader conversation about integrating equity into all aspects of urban planning, from climate resilience to population growth.
Vice Chair Greg Quetin proposed explicitly adding equity alongside terms like construction variability and sustainability in the city's master plan. He emphasized that marginalized communities should be prioritized for access to vital services—such as roads, utilities, and safety infrastructure.
The possible shift would meet growing public expectations that equitable access to resources is essential for sustainable urban development.
A discussion emerged about Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a tool for financing development projects. While Phillips explained that TIF could support affordable housing and infrastructure improvements, there were concerns about its implementation.
Quetin suggested that “pursue funding” might sound too aggressive and proposed softer language to balance the need for new revenue with the reality that such funding could burden developers especially those working on affordable housing projects.
The conversation ended with a call to reconsider how the city balances growth with the long-term sustainability of its infrastructure.
Quetin voiced concerns about the financial strain of impact fees on new developments, especially when maintaining and replacing infrastructure.
Phillips acknowledged the challenge, stating that impact fees are important but must be managed carefully to support growth and affordable housing.
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