The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for future student housing and athletic field projects for the South Puget Sound Community College campus.
At the Wednesday review committee meeting, Matt Lane of McGranahan Architects said they are working with the college to update the campus master plan, which was last updated in 2009.
As part of updating the master plan, the team will submit a conditional use permit (CUP) application to the city to request approval for the student housing and athletic field projects.
According to Lane, the proposed new uses are not allowed under the college's existing zoning.
Lane asked the review committee's input on addressing the optimal location for the proposed student housing on campus. He explained that the current site being considered for the student housing footprint is on top of an area established as mitigation plantings in 2005.
This area was planted then to mitigate environmental impacts from constructing a stormwater facility near some wetlands on the property.
Olympia's associate planner, Jackson Ewing, confirmed that the college requires a CUP to be approved every ten years or if there are any significant changes to the previously approved permit since the project is proposing new uses.
The CUP process would include a notice of application being sent to surrounding property owners within 300 feet of the campus property, an informational meeting held by the applicant and city, and a 120-day review period by city departments.
After reviewing the project, it would move to the city's hearing examiner, who would decide on the permit. There will be a public hearing.
Ewing added that key elements that must be addressed in the CUP permit application include a parking demand study, traffic impact analysis, evaluation of impacts to surrounding properties from the proposed lighted athletic field, and a critical areas study.
Ewing noted that the area currently used for the soccer field/baseball field, where the new athletic field is proposed, would not be considered part of the critical area buffer since it was previously used as a recreational space. Development could be allowed in this area.
However, the area where the student housing is proposed, which was previously used as mitigation plantings, may require more evaluation since critical areas like wetlands surround it.
When discussing the proposed athletic field, Jackson noted that one thing that would be a crucial part of reviewing this project is whether or not the athletic field is proposed to be lighted. He mentioned that there are some residential subdivisions nearby.
As part of reviewing the conditional use permit, the city would need to evaluate any potential impacts on surrounding neighborhoods from light pollution if the stadium was proposed to have lighting. Studies would need to be provided regarding light levels at surrounding properties, and potential conditions could be placed on the project to restrict lighting usage.
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BobJacobs
I don't understand this: "He explained that the current site being considered for the student housing footprint is on top of an area established as mitigation plantings in 2005.
"This area was planted then to mitigate environmental impacts from constructing a stormwater facility near some wetlands on the property. "
If this area was planted for mitigation, must it not stay in a vegetated state? Will student housing perform the same functions as the mitigation plantings?
Bob Jacobs
Friday, January 19 Report this