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Olivia council adopts downtown zoning change, hears update on Chrysler sale and approves consent items
Summary
Council adopted an ordinance restricting future storage uses in the downtown business district, approved consent items including multiple donations and appointments, and instructed staff that a proposed road vacation tied to the Chrysler property sale will not be entertained without alternate public access.
Olivia — The Olivia City Council approved a zoning change aimed at limiting future storage‑use conversions in the downtown business district, received an update on the pending Chrysler property sale, and approved routine consent items including donations and board appointments.
Staff explained the ordinance amends Chapter 152 to revise permitted uses in the V3 Central Business District, aligning code language with the city’s comprehensive plan for downtown activity. Staff stressed this change would not force currently operating downtown storage businesses to close; rather, it would prevent future conversions back into storage uses if properties change hands.
The public hearing on the ordinance drew no public comments, and the council voted to adopt Ordinance 20251 amending Chapter 152 and related B3 business district language.
In a separate staff report about the pending Chrysler property sale, staff said the buyer’s draft purchase agreement included several requests that cannot be approved without council action — including an ask to vacate a frontage road (referred to as B Street). Staff told the council it would recommend against vacating the road unless the buyer committed to creating an alternate public right‑of‑way or access, noting nearby residents and county public‑works planning rely on the access. Council members agreed not to pursue a road vacation on staff’s initiative without a substitute access plan from the buyer.
The consent agenda — approved earlier in the meeting — included routine items: approval of minutes, an annual data‑inventory resolution, personnel step movements, $600 and $2,000 donations to the fire department and a $112,000 donation earmarked largely for beautification projects, several board and commission appointments (Park & Rec, EDA, Planning Commission), and December disbursements.
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations on the Chrysler purchase agreement and will only recommend a road vacation to council if the buyer provides a viable alternative access plan and completes required public‑hearing notices.
