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Council reviews major edits to Land Use and Urban Design chapter; planning commission and committee seek targeted follow‑ups
Summary
City staff presented a heavily revised Land Use and Urban Design chapter of Olympia's comprehensive plan periodic update, including a new 'urban residential' future land use designation, small‑scale commercial in neighborhoods, and new focus areas. Planning commission and staff flagged zoning‑capacity and corridor boundaries for further analysis.
Senior planner David Ginther briefed the council on revisions to the Land Use and Urban Design chapter of Olympia’s comprehensive plan periodic update during the Sept. 16 study session.
The chapter is part of the city’s 10‑year comprehensive plan update and includes multiple substantive changes to reflect public comment, committee input and recent studies. Ginther told the council public outreach and committee review produced significant changes beyond the originally intended minor edits.
Why it matters
The chapter guides where housing, commercial activity and public amenities may grow; it establishes future‑land‑use designations and identifies subareas for more detailed planning. Changes could affect zoning implementation, neighborhood plans and future development entitlements.
Major changes and council discussion
New ‘‘urban residential’’ designation: Staff proposed combining several low/medium density residential map categories into one new future land use label called urban…
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