Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee Meeting Summary - December 26, 2025

The Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee held a special meeting on December 26, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:02 p.m. chaired by Dani Madrone, with committee members Jim Cooper and Robert Vanderpool present. The meeting addressed several key items: termination of the Briggs Urban Village Development Agreement, approval of the Hearing Examiner Request for Qualifications process, and discussions on the 2026 work plans for both the Department of Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) and the committee itself. The meeting began with public comment, and concluded with a vote to forward the termination recommendation to the full City Council.

Consent Calendar

• The meeting agenda was approved.
• The October 23, 2025 Land Use & Environment Committee meeting minutes were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Meegan Cronk (owner of Humble Cow Ice Cream in Briggs Village) initially declined to speak but later emphasized the importance of the city keeping its promises to businesses and residents to maintain trust in local government.
• Karen Caton inquired about the impact on residents if the Briggs Village designation was removed, indicating she would listen to staff presentations for clarification.
• Brian Faller proposed two minor amendments to the Briggs Urban Village code amendments: (1) adding the word “entire” before “village” in the commercial space calculation to prevent excluding open space and critical areas, and (2) restoring the minimum grocery store size to 12,000 square feet but allowing reduction to 9,200 square feet if a tenant is secured between those thresholds. He argued the changes would protect the community’s interests.
• Mike McCormick (representing himself and Kathy McCormick) expressed full support for terminating the development agreement, stating Briggs Village is ideal for new housing due to existing infrastructure and transit. He thanked outgoing council member Jim Cooper for his service.
• Chris Wickham (Briggs Village resident) supported Faller’s amendments and requested that the minimum grocery size remain 12,000 square feet with a flexible reduction only if a tenant is committed. He also urged that open spaces be included in the commercial acreage calculation, noting that the developer has not made serious efforts to develop commercial space.
• Andrew Peterson (Briggs Village resident for over a decade) supported Faller’s proposed compromise and criticized the developer’s attempt to reduce obligations regarding commercial acreage. He called for preserving the original village plan.
• David Merchant echoed earlier speakers and questioned the timing of terminating the agreement while other code amendments are still pending. He criticized the staff report’s passive language, insisting that the developer’s choices should be clearly identified.
• Jim Lazar (nearby resident for 33 years) urged the committee to honor the original deal requiring a grocery store, noting the developer received benefits from density, parking, and street standards. He supported the 12,000-square-foot minimum, citing existing small grocery stores in Olympia.
• Jason Roberts (nearby resident) agreed with previous speakers and encouraged the city to stick to the plan for walkable businesses and a grocery store.

Discussion Items

1. Termination of the Briggs Urban Village Development Agreement

   • Senior Planner Jackson Ewing presented the agreement, originally capping residential units at 810 and mostly now obsolete except for the unit cap. Terminating the agreement would allow increased housing density to support commercial development and permit ADUs. Staff recommended termination.
   • Council members Cooper and Vanderpool supported the recommendation, noting the current owner did not negotiate the original deal and that the cap hinders needed housing. A brief discussion confirmed that staff would include public comments in the council packet.
   • Vote: 3-0 to approve the recommendation and forward to the full City Council.

2. Approval of the Hearing Examiner Request for Qualifications Process

   • Director Tim Smith outlined the four-year RFQ process: release in late December 2025, responses due in late January 2026, interviews in February, and a recommendation to council by late February 2026.
   • Members requested adding criteria for succession planning/mentorship, “plain talk” communication skills, and consideration of candidates from larger cities with progressive codes. Staff agreed to incorporate these elements.
   • Vote: 3-0 to approve the RFQ process as discussed.

3. Community Planning & Economic Development 2026 Work Plan

   • Smith and Housing Program Manager Jacinda Steltjes reviewed planning projects (e.g., Southeast UGA annexation, Plum Street rezoning, elimination of commercial parking standards, mobile food regulations) and housing projects (e.g., manufactured home community preservation, rent-to-own opportunities, affordable housing incentives).
   • Discussion emphasized the need for a council study session before starting the Southeast UGA annexation, a visioning process for Plum Street, and careful consideration of funding availability for housing programs. Members requested clarity on whether certain projects should proceed given potential state legislation.
   • No vote taken; discussion will inform the final work plan.

4. Land Use and Environment Committee 2026 Work Plann - Smith presented a draft schedule with items from various departments. Members suggested adding topics: commercial and residential vacancy studies, zoning reform check-in, urban land banking for affordable housing, post-legislative session housing updates, drive-through policy, single driveway per lot limits, a usable lands inventory, and property acquisition in the Capitol Mall Triangle.

   • The committee agreed to finalize the work plan at the January 2026 meeting after the council retreat.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (3-0) to recommend terminating the Briggs Urban Village Development Agreement.
• Approved (3-0) the Hearing Examiner RFQ process with added criteria.
• Discussions on both 2026 work plans will continue; a final committee work plan will be adopted in January 2026.
• Committee member Jim Cooper was thanked for his service as his term on the council and committee concluded.