The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for two proposals last Wednesday, May 3: an 11,250-square-foot multi-use building at 4315 Harrison Avenue NW and a 2,100-square-foot retail building at 4343 Harrison Avenue NW.
In a narrative submitted to the review committee, project applicant Riley Wall stated that the site comprises three separate parcels. There is an existing retail building at 4315 Harrison Avenue NW, which houses Jay's Farm Stand.
The applicant proposes consolidating two adjacent lots into one under 4315 Harrison Avenue and constructing a new 11,250 sf multi-use building and combined paved parking with the adjacent 4343 Harrison Avenue.
For the second project, Wall said he proposes constructing a new 2,100 sf retail building and a combined paved parking lot with landscaping with the adjacent lot 4315 Harrison Avenue. He said the existing site has an unpaved parking lot for the existing retail building.
Olympia's associate planner Jack Ewing said the projects could be reviewed under one land use application for buildings and the parking lot requirements.
He also offered another option to submit each project's land use applications. Still, there would be a lot of additional fees and requirements associated with each review.
The project on the western side, Ewing added, would trigger a State Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and board-level design review.
He also explained that the small retail structure project, under 5,000 square feet, would only go through a staff-level design review.
"But both projects would require our land use review process, which would include routing to residents within 300 feet of the project, neighborhood meeting, and the design review and decision by the review committee," Ewing added.
The project sites are in the High-Density Corridor 4 (HDC 4), which has specific commercial design standards.
Ewing said the developer should provide pedestrian amenities and entrances from the street, awning overhangs on the right of way.
The properties are located on Harrison Avenue, a Type A pedestrian street that would bring many zoning code requirements.
"These requirements are very specific about buildings, such as fronting the street, how those buildings need to be designed, and where access is to be located, building entrances, and pedestrian-friendly facades," Ewing said as he enumerated some of the specific of the requirements.
He added that many uses would be allowed in the HDC, but warehousing and manufacturing are not one of them.
Wall admitted they were unaware that warehouse buildings are not allowed in the HDC district, but assured the committee that the building would be for mixed-use purposes and that warehouses are not planned for the location.
Olympia's principal planner Nicole Floyd advised the applicant that it would be better if the front unit were more retail than the back units. "That way, you can achieve the design intent in the zone," Floyd said.
Floyd added that the height of the first floor – from floor to ceiling – has to be 16 feet to create a tall, windowed space that is pedestrian-oriented and attractive to people walking by.
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AugieH
Does this mean tearing down Jay's Farm Stand? I can't imagine anything worth replacing Jay's. What, another nail salon, dental office, or Starbuck's? Phooey!
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Report this
Annierae
Wow, great location, adjacent to both Blue Heron Bakery and the new aquatics facility, if it's realized.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Report this
Southsoundguy
What about Jay’s?
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Report this
KaufmanCD
As a representative of Kaufman Construction and Development, who owns 4315 Harrison and was represented in this meeting by Project Manager Riley Wall, I can confirm that our intent is to retain Jay's Farm Stand at this location. This was mentioned in the meeting on May 3rd but excluded from the above article.
We understand the value Jay's Farm Stand brings to this community and will work collaboratively with them to maintain their presence during development.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Report this
CoPilot22
Love to see more mixed use zoning in the city! Does anyone know of any plans for the bike lane on Harrison Ave to be turned into a protected bike lane? The painted bike lanes do absolutely nothing to protect you from the many drivers who treat cyclists like second-class citizens, and it would be a great way to connect the many neighborhoods on Harrison together.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Report this