Olympia City Council to consider zoning changes, Briggs Village development agreement termination

Posted Friday, February 20, 2026 3:45 pm

By Lorilyn Lirio

The Olympia City Council is set to take action on two proposals that could reshape the development of Urban Village, which is known as Briggs Village.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, council members are going to consider an ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 18.05 to revise development standards for Urban Villages, and a resolution terminating the Briggs Urban Village Development agreement, which caps residential units at 810.

The measures aim to improve long-delayed commercial development in the mixed-use district, while allowing additional housing.

The Briggs Village Master Plan, adopted in 2003, outlines the layout, design and aesthetic vision for the village, while the zoning code establishes development standards.

Since the plan’s adoption, development has occurred, including on almost all of the 800 residential units.

However, the planned commercial uses, including grocery, retail and office space, have not been developed, leaving the village’s commercial core mostly vacant for more than 20 years.

The Briggs Village developer has applied to modify the zoning code requirements specifically related to the Urban Village zone. The developer has also asked the city to terminate the development agreement, which requires council approval.

The agreement currently caps the number of residential units in the village at 810. The developer wishes to construct more units.

The proposed changes include:

Setting a new minimum and maximum amount of commercial development required in urban villages based on total land acres rather than basing it on the number of residential units. This would allow additional residential units without triggering a complimentary increase in commercial, while still ensuring that an urban scale of commercial uses would be required as envisioned by the comprehensive plan.
Increasing the allowed percentage of multifamily housing in urban villages to 85% from 50%.
Retaining a maximum of 75% of single-family units and setting a minimum single-family of 15%.

Increasing the number of allowed stories from three to four for buildings fronting the town square.
Removing maximum housing density for urban villages, as is the case in all other commercial zones, where minimum lot sizes and development standards guide future development.
Changing day care from a required use to a permitted use.
Clarifying that rooftop areas can be counted as open space.

Following public hearings in February 2025 and March 2025, the Olympia Planning Commission recommended approval with revisions. City staff later recommended additional refinements, including the following:

Maintaining a grocery store requirement in urban villages, but set the minimum size at 9,200 square feet. A staff report noted market data considers a 9,200 square-foot store as more viable.
Adjusting the trigger for construction of the Village Green so it would be required when the next residential or mixed-use development occurs in the village core, rather than being tied to commercial buildout thresholds.

The Land Use and Environment Committee also supported the staff modifications. The separate resolution would terminate the development agreement that currently caps residential units at 810.

Staff said removing the cap would allow more housing, including the potential for accessory dwelling units, and help create enough residents to support future commercial uses.

Comments

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Virge13

I wonder what this is going to do for parking at the YMCA. It’s already challenging to find a space….will more housing units impact Y parking?

Saturday, February 21 Report this
Somney

It's laughable that "that rooftop areas can be counted as open space."

Sunday, February 22 Report this
jimLacey

So what has changed since the existing agreement was made, and the community signed off on it? Was there bad information that lead to things like the 810 residential units cap and the 3 story building height limit? Or was this just another case of get the project started, then bring up the more unpleasant aspects of what the developers want?

Sunday, February 22 Report this
36098501

JimLacey - Use this link as a better explanation of some of the backstory and rationale for the developer asking for some zoning modifications.

https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/olympia-residents-support-reduced-grocery-store-size-in-briggs-village-with-conditions,27425?

Sunday, February 22 Report this

Olympia City Council to consider zoning changes, Briggs Village development agreement termination

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