Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia Planning Commission held a public hearing on the city's Climate Element, where residents offered actionable suggestions to strengthen the 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
The Climate Element integrates climate resilience and mitigation into housing, transportation, infrastructure and land-use policies.
The hearing drew comments from individuals and advocacy groups with a sharp focus on climate adaptation, environmental protection and equity.
Speaking on behalf of the South Sound Bird Alliance Committee, member Betsy Norton emphasized the need for comprehensive environmental assessment, stating the importance of analyzing "cumulative impacts of sea level rise and extreme precipitation," and their effects on wildlife and ecosystem function.
She spoke of the importance of tracking habitat loss and its impact on biodiversity, recommending the integration of green spaces in urban development areas.
"Reserving space for these green spaces will combat global GHGs (greenhouse gas emissions) and urban heat sinks. It helps mitigate the loss of wildlife habitat in the permanent development areas," Norton said.
She also challenged the city's interpretation of greenhouse gas emissions, suggesting that residential and commercial energy use, not just transportation, represents a significant portion of the city's carbon footprint.
Charlotte Persons, also a member of the South Sound Bird Alliance, urged the city to establish metrics for every goal in the climate resilience chapter, including current baselines and projected changes, with a commitment to regular evaluation.
She also recommended more specific tracking of greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, suggesting separate tracking of contributions from residential, commercial and industrial sectors to provide a clearer picture of community-wide climate efforts.
A resident of southeast Olympia, who introduced himself as Casey, proposed a citywide tree equity strategy. For example, he suggested setting a 50% tree canopy coverage target by 2035, with a focus on underserved neighborhoods. His recommendations also included creating a tree equity fund, protecting mature trees and mandating the planning of diverse native species.
Beyond tree coverage, Casey suggested innovative green infrastructure approaches. He proposed tying parking to greening. This would require any new private lot over 10 stalls to convert 15% of its footprint into bio-retention planters, offering parking reductions for green roofs and implementing urban heat island monitoring.
Another Olympia resident, John Newman, highlighted practical transportation solutions, suggesting that "bus information on utility bills" could encourage more sustainable commuting. His comments reflected a grassroots perspective on making climate-friendly choices more accessible to everyday residents.
Lisa Riner raised concerns about the urban development approach. She argued that proposed density and transportation policies fail to consider the practical needs of the vulnerable population. She also and criticized the elimination of parking requirements, pointing out bus transportation is not feasible for older residents, parents with children and people carrying groceries.
Riner specifically talked about urban density plans that would allow 24 units per acre in neighborhoods with narrow streets. Her concern was the potential impact on residential parking and community character, arguing the proposed changes prioritize development over quality of life.
City of Olympia Climate Program Director Dr. Pamela Braff discussed the future climate challenges faced by the city. She said the city anticipates significant shifts in climate conditions, including more frequent extreme heat events with days exceeding 90 degrees, more intense winter rainfall and potential sea level rise of up to 1 foot by 2050.
"These are environmental challenges that cannot be addressed in isolation. Instead, they demand a holistic strategy that integrates climate considerations across transportation, housing, economic development and public safety sectors," Braff said.
The climate director emphasized that privately owned vehicles and energy consumption in residential and commercial buildings together account for nearly 50% of the city's carbon footprint. She added that upstream emissions, such as those from power generation, industrial processes and wastewater systems, also contribute to the city's overall impact.
Beyond immediate environmental metrics, Braff stressed the importance of addressing systemic vulnerabilities: protecting at-risk populations from climate harm, maintaining ecosystem functionality, ensuring grid reliability and developing adaptive infrastructure.
Braff noted while wildfire risks are not significant within Olympia's urban boundaries, the city faces a greater risk of wildfire smoke from regional fires across the United States and Canada.
"In the summer, we are likely to see more hot days," she explained, highlighting the increasing days with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees and the possible more extensive droughts.
Climate Resilience Coordinator Natalie Weiss summarized the updates made to Olympia's Climate Element following public input.
She said the residents emphasized the need for more action-oriented language to reflect the urgency of climate change.
Public comments emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to climate resilience, and supporting infill development while ensuring green spaces remain accessible.
Weiss outlined changes to the draft, including enhanced policies on grid reliability, environmental protections, and prioritization of high-risk hazards with a focus on supporting vulnerable populations.
The Climate Element now has approximately 300 goals and policies, integrating climate considerations across multiple city sectors, including natural environment, land use, transportation, housing and economic development.
Weiss said two-thirds of the policies derive from existing comprehensive plans, with one-third being entirely new, reflecting the city's climate strategy.
The planning commission approved recommending the Climate Element draft be forwarded to the city council for further consideration.
13 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
BettyVerdammt
Olympia's climate program is full of grifters and hand wavers. The community has better, more workable solutions.
Thursday, August 7, 2025 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
The Earth's and sun's rotations are changing and slightly slowing. The planets are changing their orbits. Our solar system is moving through the galaxies. The galaxies are moving throughout the ever expanding universe. But, buy an electric car and all will be OK. Hmmmm? Political?
Thursday, August 7, 2025 Report this
bonaro
I thought the polar icecap was supposed to be melted 10 years ago.
How long are you people going to beat this drum?
Thursday, August 7, 2025 Report this
terry
Climate experts will never be held accountable as they are predicting future events. Moreover, their predictions rely on very short strands of data that when extrapolated into the future are subject to widely inconsistent results. To say climate science is in a nascent stage is an understatement. What the City needs to do is practice conservation and wise use within the studied knowledge of population growth impacts. Anything else is a “hairs on fire” exercise..
Thursday, August 7, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
Ancient proverb say " Ostriches that Bury heads in sand... get their asses bit". Some have learned nothing, even during the King Tides, this is for the future and those that will live here.
Friday, August 8, 2025 Report this
FrostedFlake
Bought a home in Lacey in '22, because it's like a park. Been noticing an alarming number of new publicly owned stumps. And some healthy Maples on the bike trail with orange survey tape tied around them. I think the city council should inquire as to which of our employees is 'looking busy' by repetedly cutting public trees without reason, and put that guy in charge of replacing the trees he has cut. That is the kindest thing I have to say about that.
Friday, August 8, 2025 Report this
Porter
The slowing economy will reduce traffic causing air pollution to decrease.
Friday, August 8, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
@ FrostedFlake, you might inquire as to Why those trees are flagged. There could be Disease, or a new plan for different trees. Inquire yourself, don't leave it up to someone else to answer.
Friday, August 8, 2025 Report this
Southsoundguy
Climate change is a scam. We need more CO2. This is fear mongering to justify government expansion.
Friday, August 8, 2025 Report this
Wesley
I have only one question: How much more communism will it take to solve our "climate crisis"?
Friday, August 8, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
SSGuy, do you EVER consider something is non Political? Seacap melt Artic Permafrost Melt accerates Global warming due to increased Warming its a proven scientific FACT Perma frost melt causes Decomposition of Trapped Vegative matter realeasing Methane, 100% more able to trap heat than CO2, more CO2 watms the enviroment, that Kills plankton which feeds Ocean Animals as trapped heat also Kills the TREES that convert CO2 To Oxygen.
Read a book, take some science classes because as usual You Sound Completely CLUELESS.
Sunday, August 10, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
Wesley What does Science have to do with Communisim... NOTHING. ITS Science NOT A Political Rebellion, you and SSGUY have much in Common... STUPIDITY and Politcal Polarity Dense as ****. LIKE flat earthers!
Sunday, August 10, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
SSGUY and Westley...The world is just going to leave you 2 behind.... WHY? LIKE old Cars your just not Valueable enough to Change the design For. (:
Sunday, August 10, 2025 Report this