On Wednesday, May 1, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal from Behavioral Health Resources (BHR) to build a new affordable housing apartment at 2104 State Avenue NE to replace aging buildings on the site.
The proposed development, the B&B Apartments, would be located on land currently occupied by eight small apartment units.
The project involves demolishing the existing structures and constructing a single, larger building with 19 apartment units for residents supported by BHR. The building would have a courtyard layout with entrances on State Avenue.
City planner Casey Mauck outlined the various land use applications and reviews the project would go through, including lot consolidation, design review, and environmental review.
Mauck noted that the site is in the high-density corridor (HDC 2). The design guidelines for projects in this zone emphasize consistency with the historic architecture of surrounding buildings. Architects for the project will need to demonstrate how the design incorporates elements of local historic styles.
The project has no parking requirements, as Mauck mentioned that the site is close to transit. She added that the applicant's plans correctly identified the need for two short-term bicycle parking spaces. The city code requires one long-term bicycle parking space for each of the 19 units.
Tiffani King, senior plans examiner for engineering, tackled the frontage improvements along State Avenue. A 10-foot sidewalk is required, with the ability to put street trees.
King asked the developer to maintain the existing seven-foot bike lane width as the city works to expand its bicycle network.
King added that through Affordable Housing Program manager Jacinda Steltjes, the city would provide the developer information on potential incentives and fee reductions for projects that include affordable housing units. For example, sewer and stormwater fees may be discounted from the standard multifamily rate if a certain percentage of units are reserved as affordable.
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BobJacobs
These "fee reductions" for affordable housing are well intentioned. But somehow the financial impacts on the rest of us are never mentioned. When a project doesn't pay its way, the rest of us have to make up the lost revenue. This is a hidden tax on us. It's about time that the city puts these subsidies in the budget where we can see them every year. They talk about "transparency", but in this case it doesn't happen.
Bob Jacobs
Saturday, May 4 Report this
MrCommonSense
Ditto Bob Jacobs comments below. On another note, it's great the site is close to transit but hard to believe there would be NO parking requirements? There is already very limited parking on State and on adjoining side streets in this area. Will no one in the complex have a car? What about ADA parking? What about parking for visitors and delivery or service vehicles? Just wondering.........
Saturday, May 4 Report this
Carolyn Byerly
To Mr CommonSense: It's my understanding that the City approved plans last year that allow new apartment plans to contain 0-12 parking spaces for their tenants. Many of us opposed that measure for exactly the reasons you note. Now, we are seeing the faulty decision making's consequences.
Saturday, May 4 Report this
Callie
Note the view from parking in the rendering.
My understanding is that there will be some parking, and frankly, there are people that you and I don't want out there driving.
Walking distance to grocery and pharmacy - one bus to either transit center - that's good. It'll be OK.
Thank you BHR for realizing that you can counsel and counsel, but stable housing will lead to more mental stability.
Sunday, May 5 Report this
warrenh50
I'm curious what the rents are for the current units, and what the rent will be for the future "affordable" units?
Wednesday, May 8 Report this