Land Use & Environment Committee Meeting – June 26, 2026

The Land Use & Environment Committee of the Olympia City Council met on June 26, 2026 (note: the minutes indicate June 25, 2026; the date used here follows the provided timestamp). The meeting included a briefing on the Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP), a preliminary discussion of 2027 work plans for the Planning Commission and other advisory bodies, and public comments urging immediate protection for large trees.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda for the June 25 meeting was approved.
• Minutes from the May 28, 2026 Land Use & Environment Committee meeting and the June 11, 2026 special meeting were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lynn Fitz-Hugh, Executive Director of Restoring Earth Connection, expressed strong support for a moratorium on cutting the largest trees (over 40 inches diameter at breast height) while the UFMP is developed. She noted that in neighboring cities, large trees have been lost even while tree policies were being drafted, and she urged the city to act immediately to protect heritage trees.
• Heather Penns, an Olympia resident, also supported a temporary resolution to protect trees over 40 inches DBH, emphasizing that large trees sequester more carbon, reduce flooding, and cannot be replaced by saplings in the short term.

Discussion Items

6.A Briefing on the Urban Forest Management Plan

• Kim Foley, Public Works Associate Planner, and Leanne Wells, Urban Forester, presented the scope and timeline for the UFMP. The plan, funded in part by a federal grant, aims to address tree canopy goals, update tree code, and incorporate environmental justice. Key points:
  • Olympia's current tree canopy is 42%, which is high compared to regional targets of 30%.
  • The plan will take approximately two years, with final delivery by May 2028.
  • Challenges include conflicting priorities (e.g., housing vs. trees), limited staff capacity, and infrastructure impacts (e.g., sidewalks, sewers).
  • A robust public participation plan includes focus groups with overburdened communities, open houses, and an online story map.
• Committee members expressed a need for more education before making policy decisions. They raised concerns about tree loss during the two-year process, sidewalk damage from mature trees, and the effectiveness of the existing tree unit system (which incentivizes preservation of larger trees but is often circumvented).
• Tim Smith, Community Planning & Economic Development Director, noted that the city's tree code already requires soil and vegetation conservation plans and that a blanket moratorium could be drafted with flexibility for staff to grant exceptions where preservation is impractical.

6.B Preliminary Discussion of 2027 Work Plans

• The committee, joined by Greg Quetin (Planning Commission Chair) and Daniel Garcia (Vice Chair, online), discussed priorities for 2027. Topics included:
  • Aligning work plans among the committee, Planning Commission, and Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).
  • Transportation planning: updates to the Transportation Master Plan, shared streets, speed cameras, and traffic calming.
  • Parking management: exploring shared parking, land value tax adjustments, and the high cost of parking garages ($50,000–$100,000 per space).
  • Zoning simplification: consolidating the city's many zoning districts (currently 18–21) to reduce complexity, with a focus on the Plum Street corridor.
  • Other items: sea level rise funding, design review board future, and monitoring state legislation on ADUs and design review.
• Staff noted capacity constraints after losing a planner position and emphasized the need to prioritize projects that can be accomplished with existing resources.

Key Outcomes

• Referral to Full Council: The committee agreed to send a referral to the City Council requesting a temporary ordinance to protect trees 24 inches DBH or larger (based on Leanne Wells's recommendation) during the UFMP process. The ordinance would give the urban forester authority to grant exceptions where preservation is not feasible.
• Next Steps for UFMP: Staff will continue internal and public engagement; a draft action plan is expected by mid-2027. The committee will receive updates and provide input before the plan goes to Council.
• Work Plan Alignment: Future meetings will include transportation planners and BPAC representatives to coordinate work plans. A follow-up discussion is planned for later in 2026 to refine priorities based on staff capacity.
• Reports: Tim Smith reported on recent development projects, including 272 affordable housing units at Harbor Pines, a 35-unit apartment building on Henderson, and the West Bay Yards appeal (decision expected by early August). He also announced new staff hires: Kern Lean as Planning Manager and Ashley Chambers as Housing Director.