Olympia Planning Commission Regular Meeting - October 26, 2026

Note: The meeting transcript indicates October 19, 2026, but the provided meeting date is October 26, 2026. This summary uses the given date.

The Olympia Planning Commission met to conduct regular business, including approval of the agenda and prior minutes, a public hearing on parking code amendments, and a briefing on the Urban Forest Management Plan. Key actions included a vote to recommend revisions to minimum parking requirements. Commissioners also heard public testimony and staff announcements.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Moved by Jason, seconded by Daniel Garcia. All aye; no abstentions. Approved as submitted.
• Approval of Minutes (October 5, 2026): Moved by Raphael Garcia, seconded by L. Commissioner Greg abstained; all other commissioners aye. Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Judy Bardin (Resident): Expressed concerns over upcoming neighborhood-scale commercial amendments. She requested expanded definitions for operating hours, clarification on public nuisance evaluations, and addressed potential disruptive impacts from outdoor alcohol consumption, deliveries, and off-hour operations. Bardin urged the commission to further flesh out these items.

Staff Announcements

• Casey (Staff): Provided a heads-up that a council subcommittee proposal to sunset advisory committees (including the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee) may shift additional workload to the Planning Commission. Staff will keep the commission apprised of any changes.

Discussion Items

Parking Code Amendments (Public Hearing)

• Casey Shoffler, Associate Long Range Planner: Presented proposed amendments to Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 18.38 (Parking and Loading) to comply with the state's Parking Reform and Modernization Act (PRMA). The amendments eliminate all vehicle parking minimums citywide, consolidate parking typologies into four categories, and update bicycle parking requirements. Staff also proposed three specific revisions:
  1. Change the bicycle parking requirement language to "up to a total of 12 required spaces."
  2. Exempt bicycle parking for change of use in existing commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet in the downtown exempt area.
  3. Limit the parking maximum exemption to multi-story parking structures only.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners debated parking structure definitions, maximum allowances, and bicycle parking thresholds. Vice Chair Garcia argued that the 12-space maximum for commercial bicycle parking was arbitrary and should be removed. Commissioner Garcia (Raphael) raised questions about shared parking agreements and their continued applicability. Commissioner Ibrahimovich (Zaynab) inquired about the feasibility of using on-street bike racks to meet requirements. Ultimately, the commission agreed to:
  • Remove the 12-space bicycle parking maximum (voice vote: one opposed, all others in favor).
  • Include staff's Downtown exemption recommendation (voice vote: unanimous).
  • Include staff's multi-story structure limitation (voice vote: unanimous).
• Motion: Moved by L, seconded by Daniel Garcia, to recommend city council approval of the proposed amendments with the revisions as discussed. All aye. Approved.

Urban Forest Management Plan (Briefing)

• Kim Foley (Environmental Planner) and Leanne Wells (Urban Forester): Presented an overview of the upcoming Urban Forest Management Plan. The plan will address tree-protection code updates, equitable distribution of tree canopy, and integration with stormwater management, housing, and climate goals. Staff highlighted the city's current 42% tree canopy cover (measured in 2023), the need for strategic rather than uniform tree preservation, and a community engagement process starting with story maps, focus groups, and workshops. No action was taken; the briefing served to inform the commission ahead of future decision points.

Key Outcomes

• Parking Code Amendments: The planning commission voted to recommend approval of the parking code amendments to city council with three revisions: (1) removal of the 12-space maximum for bicycle parking for commercial uses; (2) exemption from bicycle parking requirements for change of use in existing commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet in the downtown exempt area; and (3) limitation of parking maximum exemptions to multi-story parking structures only. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Land Use and Environment Committee and then to city council, with a state deadline of January 27, 2027.
• Urban Forest Management Plan: No decisions were made. The plan remains in the early development stage, with public engagement set to begin in earnest and draft recommendations expected in approximately one year.
• Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 2, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.