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Council accepts updated introduction and community‑values chapters of Olympia 2045 comprehensive plan
Summary
The Olympia City Council accepted two chapters of the city’s periodic update to Olympia 2045 — the Introduction and the Community Values & Vision chapter — and directed staff to return for formal adoption of the full plan in December.
Olympia — The City Council on Sept. 30 accepted two foundational chapters of the Olympia 2045 comprehensive plan update: the plan Introduction and the Community Values & Vision chapter. Staff said the council will see the full proposed plan for adoption in December after remaining chapter reviews are complete.
Long‑range planning manager Joyce Phillips told council the Introduction chapter was updated to reflect the Growth Management Act framework, to explain the plan’s 12‑chapter structure and to update timeframes and population projections. Phillips said the chapter “sets the stage” for how the plan should be used and emphasized that goals must be balanced across chapters.
The Community Values & Vision chapter consolidates values statements developed during the public process and adds vision language for two new chapters (housing and climate). The chapter also includes a land‑acknowledgement statement and a welcome from the Squaxin Island Tribe. Phillips said the city gathered input over a period of many months, including a May 2023 values survey, Planning Commission review and input from the Social Justice and Equity Commission.
Council action and follow‑up: Councilmember Cooper moved to accept the Introduction chapter (motion approved by voice vote). Council later moved to accept the Community Values & Vision chapter; that motion also passed. Councilmembers suggested minor textual edits to clarify certain equity language and family‑structure wording; staff said they will incorporate those changes ahead of the December adoption vote.
Why it matters: The Introduction and Community Values & Vision chapters are the narrative frame for the rest of Olympia’s comprehensive plan. The values language is intended to inform, and align, policies across land use, transportation, housing, climate, equity and other chapters. The accepted draft emphasizes equity, climate mitigation and housing as community priorities identified during the public outreach process.
What to expect next: Staff will incorporate minor editorial changes requested at the meeting (for example clarifying equity and family‑structure language) and will return to council for final adoption of the entire Olympia 2045 comprehensive plan in December.
Speakers and participants: Joyce Phillips (Long‑Range Planning Manager), members of the Planning Commission and Social Justice and Equity Commission were involved in drafting and review; Mayor Dante Payne and councilmembers participated in the study session and acceptance votes.
