Public Hearing - "Isthmus" Interim Rezone Ordinance

Public Hearing Details and Protocols

In January 2010, the Olympia City Council adopted Ordinance #6692 for the interim rezone of certain properties on the "Isthmus" between the southern end of Budd Inlet and Capitol Lake. The rezone is intended to last until the end of 2010. State law requires that the City hold a public hearing within 60 days of ordinance adoption to provide an opportunity for comment on the interim action.

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Background Information

Olympia Ordinance #6692 changed the zoning on certain properties on the "Isthmus" back to the zoning that existed prior to January 1, 2009 - as shown in the graphic to the right. The prior zoning was Urban Waterfront (UW), which allows for a variety of uses including commercial and residential [see Table 6.01 in OMC 18.06.040]. In this area the UW zone also limits building heights to thirty-five (35) feet.

The reason for quickly adopting the interim ordinance was to prevent the filing of any new development applications under the zoning in effect at that time while allowing sufficient time to further evaluate the appropriate long term uses and allowable building heights for the area. An interim ordinance is a method to modify an existing zone for a specified period of time.

A corresponding amendment to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Plan will be considered later this year. The City's Comprehensive Plan may only be amended once per year. Traditionally, the Olympia City Council adopts Comprehensive Plan amendments toward the end of the year after review and recommendation by the City's Planning Commission. Before developing its recommendations, the Planning Commission holds a public hearing on proposed amendments. The Olympia City Council usually holds a second public hearing prior to its final action.

In October 2009, plans were filed with the City for a proposed, private development on a portion of this area. The proposed development is called Larida Passage. The Larida Passage plans will be reviewed based on zoning and other conditions in place at the time of application.

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Public Hearing Details and Protocols

Purpose: To receive public comment on Ordinance #6692

Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Location: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
                512 Washington Street SE, Olympia

Time

5:00 p.m. - Doors Open and Registration Begins
6:00 p.m. - Meeting and Public Hearing Begins
7:00 p.m. - Registration Ends

The public hearing will be televised live on Thurston Community Television (TCTV), Olympia cable channel 3

Registration

Testimony registration will be done on individual cards. The cards will be available in the lobby when the doors open at 5:00 p.m. They will be numbered in the order turned in at the registration table.

Testimony registration will end at 7:00 p.m.

Testimony

Two (2) minutes per person. The Mayor will announce between 3 and 6 names at a time (in the order of the numbered cards) and ask the individuals to line up at the microphones.

Written Comments

There will be general sign-in/comment sheets available in the lobby.

Written comments for the record will be accepted until Friday, February 26, 2010, Noon.  Submit written comments:

• At the Public Hearing
• By postal mail to Jan Weydemeyer, Senior Planner, City of Olympia, PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507-1967
• By email to:  cpdinfo@ci.olympia.wa.us with a copy to citycouncil@ci.olympia.wa.us
• By hand delivery to: Jan Weydemeyer, Senior Planner, CP&D Customer Service Counter, Smith Building - 837 Seventh Avenue SE, Olympia.

Written comments submitted to the City, including names and contact information, are public records potentially eligible for release. Written comments received on this topic may be posted on the City's website as part of the City Council's agenda packet for future discussion.

Questions?

About Public Hearing logistics, contact:
Cathie Butler, Communications Manager, 360.753.8361, cbutler@ci.olympia.wa.us

About the substance of the issue, contact:
Jan Weydemeyer, Senior Planner, cpdinfo@ci.olympia.wa.us

Special Accommodations

If you require special accommodations to attend and/or participate in the public hearing, please contact Cathie Butler at Olympia City Hall by Noon on Monday, February 22 or earlier if possible; phone: 360.753.8361; email cbutler@ci.olympia.wa.us. For hearing impaired individuals, the City of Olympia TTY phone number is 360.753.8270.

The City of Olympia is committed to the non-discriminatory treatment of all persons in employment and the delivery of services and resources.