Public Hearing on Springwood Garden Flat Subdivision - April 14, 2026

The City of Olympia Hearing Examiner convened a public hearing on April 14, 2026, to consider the preliminary plat application for Springwood Garden Flat, a proposed subdivision of 7.2 acres into 37 residential lots at 1609 Springwood Avenue Northeast (File No. 25-0980). The hearing included presentations from city staff, the applicant team, and public testimony from eight registered speakers. Key issues included wetland buffer reduction, stormwater management, traffic connectivity, safe walking routes, and environmental impacts. The hearing was left open for supplemental written responses and public comment on those responses.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alexander Prescott (adjacent homeowner, environmental planner): Expressed disappointment with the public engagement process, stating the city did not adequately respond to specific community concerns. Opposed vehicle connectivity on Marion and Central Streets, citing negative impacts on the existing North Point neighborhood's safety and community character. Requested more native plant species in landscaping and criticized the lack of a sidewalk connection to Bethel Street, noting pedestrians will continue to cross unsafely.
• Richard Williams (neighbor on Quasar Way): Raised concerns about ongoing water issues on his property, including a sump pump needed to manage groundwater. Opposed vehicle connectivity, arguing it would bring unwanted traffic and endanger children. Requested a higher fence along the southern boundary and urged preservation of green space for wildlife.
• Abigail McSenney (attorney, Telegan Law, representing neighbors Claire Fullman, Pete Hamar, and Zach LeClair): Argued that the applicant misrated the wetland's habitat score and that the standard buffer should be 220 feet, not 180 feet. Stated the applicant failed to comply with Core Requirement 8 of the city's stormwater manual regarding evaluation of hydrology impacts. Questioned the buffer reduction criteria, noting that Tract B (stormwater pond) is not a protective buffer and that the applicant's plan does not connect the wetland to other priority habitats. Also noted a stream on the parcel requiring a 150-foot buffer and potential impacts to Mission Creek, a salmon-bearing stream. Concluded the application should be denied.
• Zach LeClair (neighbor north of Springwood): Echoed the attorney's concerns about the wetland buffer reduction and habitat scoring. Highlighted standing water on the site during heavy rains and referenced problems with a similar stormwater pond in a nearby development (Devoncourt). Urged the Hearing Examiner to carefully review the letter submitted by Telegan Law.
• Brittany Snyder (Springwood homeowner, educator): Expressed concerns about outdated FEMA flood mapping, noting that recent floods exceeded 100-year projections. Criticized the lack of bold climate action from the city. Questioned the lack of assessment of impacts on Mission Creek salmon habitat, given the city's prior investment in restoration. Asked about protections to prevent future owners from removing permeable surfaces. Also raised a discrepancy in well notification distance (200 feet earlier vs. 100 feet currently) and asked for clarification. Stated she deeply opposes the development.
• Dale Pierce (North Point resident): Emphasized water pooling and flooding in his yard, and urged specific commitments on porous materials for driveways and roads. Challenged the city's focus on vehicular connectivity as increasing livability, citing safety concerns for pedestrians and children. Noted that a creek behind his house was illegally dammed by a neighbor and questioned the impact on buffer zones. Called for retractable bollards for emergency vehicles rather than full vehicular connections. Criticized the lack of a safe crossing at Bethel Street and inadequate sidewalks.
• Peter Hamar (represented by Telegan Law, but spoke personally): Opposed the project. Raised concerns about increased traffic (estimated 70+ additional vehicles daily) on streets that are currently dead-end. Emphasized that people will walk to the bus stop at Springwood and Bethel despite the lack of sidewalks or crosswalks. Highlighted the parcel's role as a wildlife corridor connecting Mission Creek to Satchfield Lake, stating encircling these areas will kill ecosystems. Called the proposed buffer mitigation inadequate and argued the development would not provide affordable housing.
• Leah Willette (homeowner near Satchfield Lake, runs an outdoor preschool): Emphasized the importance of the wildlife corridor, noting daily sightings of coyotes, weasels, bald eagles, salamanders, and newts. Described severe standing water on her property (enough for a canoe) and a sump pump. Opposed the development for cutting off wildlife habitat and increasing pollution.
• Sandra Herndon (Springwood resident): Focused on the lack of a sidewalk from the development to Bethel Street. Expressed disappointment that the sidewalk extension was abandoned despite a neighbor willing to cooperate. Stated that pedestrians will walk in the street or across yards. Called for a dedicated crosswalk and bus shelter at the Bethel Street bus stop.
• Deborah Walder (Springwood resident): Concerned about narrow road width (20 feet) on Springwood, parking issues, and blind driveways leading to speeding. Noted her car was damaged by a speeding driver. Asked about measures to prevent street parking and speeding.

Discussion Items

• City Staff Presentation (Jackson Ewing, Senior Planner): Presented key project details, including zoning (R 4-8, density 6.5 units/acre), wetland buffer reduction from 180 feet to 135 feet based on a biologist's report, stormwater pond sizing, street connections (Central and Marion extended north), off-site speed cushions on Marion, tree retention (75% in soil/vegetation tract, replanting above 30 units/acre), and safe walking routes. Recommended approval with conditions, including a cultural resource survey per Nisqually Tribe request. Noted that the SEPA appeal period has lapsed, so SEPA findings are not under review.
• City Engineer (Tiffany King): Clarified that Springwood frontage improvements include 17.5 feet of additional dedication for sidewalk, planting strip, and street lighting; road width remains 20 feet. Explained that the sidewalk extension to Bethel was explored but deemed too costly ($75,000-$100,000) for the city to participate, and the city cannot legally require the applicant to build it because safe walking routes are already met. Emphasized that street connections were required by the city's Engineering Design Standards and the Comprehensive Plan (Marion designated as a neighborhood collector). Addressed concerns about parking: no parking will be allowed on the applicant's side of Springwood (signs to be installed). Noted that ADA ramps and other pedestrian accommodations are part of the detailed permits.
• Applicant Presentation (Matt Weber, President of Garrett Holmes): Thanked city staff and discussed design constraints, including saving an 80-inch redwood tree. Described stormwater system: a wet detention pond with dispersed discharge to the buffer (no direct pipe), plus pervious driveways and downspout infiltration where possible. Agreed to all staff-recommended conditions, including the cultural resource study. For safe walking routes, presented Exhibit 20 showing a route via sidewalks on Marion to Roosevelt Elementary and Reeves Middle School (one-tenth mile longer than the Springwood-Bethel route). Stated the applicant negotiated an easement from the neighbor at Springwood and Bethel for a pedestrian path but encountered bureaucratic complications; committed to pursuing an alternative pathway.
• Wetland Biologist (Tom Deming): Confirmed that the proposed buffer restoration (native trees, shrubs, ground cover) and planting along the stormwater pond will improve habitat. Addressed concerns about hydrology: stated that under developed conditions, the stormwater pond will capture runoff and infiltrate/disperse through the buffer, maintaining flow to the off-site wetland. Noted that surface water on site during storms is temporary and does not create wetland conditions.
• Traffic Engineer (Aaron Van Aken): Stated that the vehicle connectivity requirement came from city standards, not applicant choice, and serves emergency access and traffic distribution. Without connectivity, there would be no level-of-service deficiency, but the city requires it.

Key Outcomes

• Hearing remains open for additional evidence and public comment.
• Schedule: Applicant and city must submit written responses to the technical letter from Telegan Law and any other matters by April 24, 2026. Public comment on those responses is due by May 1, 2026.
• City staff recommended approval subject to conditions, including a cultural resource survey. The applicant stated it is amenable to all conditions.
• The Hearing Examiner will render a decision after reviewing all supplemental materials and comment, with no set deadline announced but will begin work after May 1.