Olympia’s Community Planning and Development (CP&D) Deputy Director Tim Smith outlined the division’s 2024 agenda with a significant focus on continuing work on updating the city’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan and critical code changes to address housing.
In a recent presentation at the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting, Smith provided an overview of the CP&D work plan for next year. The division has a staff of 8.75 (Full-Time Equivalent) FTE employees split between current planning, long-range planning, and administrative support roles.
According to Smith, the 2045 Comprehensive Plan update is expected to be completed in June 2025.
The planning deputy director added other long-range projects, including ongoing work and responses to state law changes. These are:
Smith noted recent changes in state law affecting design review. He said legislation now restricts design review meetings to a single session, requiring adjustments to the local code and exemptions for specific uses. Staff will need to consolidate Olympia's typical two-stage review process into one.
Smith added that planning responsibilities like permits and historic preservation would remain ongoing. The division also oversees programs like neighborhood grants and urban forestry.
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