Thursday, October 1, 2026
A proposed 70-unit multifamily housing project near Ken Lake calls for the redevelopment of a site contaminated by an adjacent gas station.
Local architect Glenn Wells briefly discussed the project, which features 72 residential units in two three-story buildings at the corner of Black Lake Boulevard and 21st Avenue SW, with the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee at a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Wells said the site has been remediated and the Washington State Department of Ecology issued a “clean bill of health.”
The city’s review includes extensive infrastructure upgrades on the site. Engineering Plans Examiner Tiffani King outlined improvements needed along Black Lake Boulevard and 21st Avenue, including the relocation of sidewalks, installation of planting strips and proper right-of-way dedications.
Most of the frontage improvements along 21st Avenue and Black Lake Boulevard are already in place, though built to older standards, King noted. On 21st Avenue, the sidewalk and planting strip exist but narrow at one point before continuing onto Black Lake Boulevard.
King said Public Works Department staff noted the original design limited the planting strip due to right-of-way constraints. With the new development, sidewalks and planting strips would need to be updated, relocated and realigned to meet current standards along both streets.
On Black Lake Boulevard, which is an arterial with different standards, part of the sidewalk and planting strip has already been installed up to a certain point. For the new development, the planting strip would need to be completed and realigned along the sidewalk to meet current standards.
With pedestrian safety as a priority, King added the intersection is heavily used by large trucks and recommended repainting or reconfiguring crosswalks.
Citing the city’s transportation perspective, King suggested exploring a potential vehicular connection between the new development and adjacent mini-mart parking lot, which could improve traffic flow and maneuverability.
Wells said the developer would oppose a vehicle connection between the apartments and the neighboring minimart, citing safety concerns and incompatible traffic, particularly for families and children living on the site.
The proposed development near Black Lake ditch may trigger complex environmental regulations.
City Planner Casey Mauck said a professional shoreline delineation would be required to determine whether any part of the development lies within the regulated area.
If buildings are located within shoreline jurisdiction, they would be limited to 35 feet in height and require a shoreline substantial development permit. Outside of the shoreline areas, the site’s zoning allows building heights of up to 60 feet.
The ditch may also be linked with wetlands and habitat areas, requiring wetland and biological assessments.
The site also lies within the Allison Springs 10-year wellhead protection area, placing restrictions on landscaping materials and potential soil contaminants.
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VDRAKE2
Why is it the city council of Olympia is allowing developers to cram in these 70 plus units where families with two cars and two kids will inundate this space . There aren't schools. There aren't grocery stores. There aren't anything that families need yet they keep putting them in until it takes from Hagen grocery store on Cooper Point and Black Lake to Cooper Point and 14th Northwest it takes 27 minutes to get back and forth at certain times of the day you put 70 additional families in there and it's going to get worse and worse and worse because the city council just thinks oh here's a new space let's put a whole bunch of people here that'll be good for everyone. Well it's not and you're ruining the convenience and the family efforts that you've made all these years for Olympia are going to go down the tubes. We'll done OCC!
Friday, January 9 Report this
Chris_R
I am appalled that affordable housing would be allowed in an already developed area with nearby commercial services and underutilized road infrastructure. It would be so much better if they would find a remote area to cut down a bunch of trees to build on.
Friday, January 9 Report this
Olympiansince64
A quick scan on my phones map shows that area is the wetlands which flows to Black Lake, then the Black River, etc. Is that really a good place to put 70 homes? How could it not have a great impact on the natural waterways? There are undoubtedly better places to build. Why are we continually destroying the origin's of our lakes and rivers, leading to many downstream challenges! ?
Also, isn’t there a push right now (or recently approved) requirements for larger buffers between any stream and any development?
We need our agencies responsible for protecting our environment to actually do so, and to stop allowing any proposed development to move forward simply because someone is willing to pay a review fee!
Friday, January 9 Report this
KEW100
I so appreciate Jolt keeping us informed. I request that when you write an article about, for example, a proposed development that you include links that the public can follow to view the documentation.
Saturday, January 10 Report this
KEW100
Sorry for another comment. For those interested, here is a link to the agenda for the meeting of the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee. The agenda includes documentation regarding the development.
https://olympia.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=18394&GUID=42B497E0-45B4-4833-A5D8-36BC3966746C
Saturday, January 10 Report this
northbeachcomm
The "Blacklake ditch" is apart of the drainage system into Black Lake. We cannot allow a major development to go into this area, near the ditch, is is apart of this wetland. The stormwater from this area Will pollute the lake, which is a protected water body. Currently because of climate change, this area is drier than it has been in a long time. But with episodic rain events, we need that ditch and wetlands to be functional.
Saturday, January 10 Report this
KEW100
Looking at the residential areas, this would be quite close to the Black Lake Apartment complex, and looks to be a similar type of complex. Keeping the Black Lake Ditch free of pollutants can be difficult in an urban environment. And that Ditch was constructed in the 1920's to connect Black and Percival, from what I understand. Given the industrial areas further southwest of this development that may soon be moving, e.g., the quarry near Black Lake Landscape supplies), this residential development seems like it might be an okay next step.
Regardless of whether this development gets constructed, it seems appropriate to start bus service to and from at least those Black Lake Apartments. Folks seem to have to walk about half a mile to get to a bus to connect with shopping/work in Olympia. Tumwater has no bus service in the area, as far as I can tell.
I also note that there is a single elementary school in that area, and it is in the Tumwater District. I assume that Olympia must interest with the Tumwater school district when adding a development.
Actually, I wonder why this isn't being overseen by Tumwater Planning? I don't understand the jurisdictions, so I am naive to the process/jurisdictions.
Sunday, January 11 Report this
LindaD
Another apartment building being called "Multifamily Development". Another developer getting preferential treatment, this time, to put their apartments on a wetland. They are also exempt from many of the rules that govern rentals owned locally. I don't think the city is knowingly corrupt, but it sure smells bad.
Sunday, January 11 Report this
jimlazar
The most serious problem with this proposal is that it is nowhere near transit service.
It's a 14 minute walk to intersect the #42 that serves Family Court and then goes downtown.
It's a 15 minute walk to Black Lake and Cooper Point (through the deadly SR-101 Interchange) to get on the 68 to Capital Mall and the Lacey Transit Center.
Multifamily housing should be built along the major arterials that have frequent transit service.
This location on Black Lake Boulevard would be a nice place to locate a mortuary supply warehouse.
Tuesday, January 13 Report this
KEW100
"This location on Black Lake Boulevard would be a nice place to locate a mortuary supply warehouse."
Well stated, er, imagined... @jimlazar
Tuesday, January 13 Report this
BillSpencer
Wow these comments are interesting (kooky). Olympia desperately needs new housing. Projects like this are the most intelligent way build housing without mowing down acres of trees for low-density sprawl. The project will have to comply with environmental laws regarding the nearby wetlands, and the developer has surely accounted for this. Get with the times y'all. It is not 1975 anymore and Olympia is a growing city with a housing crunch. If you don't like apartments then move to Tenino.
Friday, January 23 Report this