CNA MEETING AGENDA
March 14, 2022 6:30pm
6:30 – 7:15 Cari Hornbein – Neighborhood Centers: Process and Engagement.
7:15 – 7:45 Neighborhood Reports
7:45 – 7:50 Tim Smith Report
7:50 – 8:05 Council Liaison Report – Councilmember Clark Gilman
8:05 – 8:20 Sidewalks – Larry
8:20 – 8:30 Minutes Approval and Agenda Ideas
8:30 Adjourn
CNA MEETING AGENDA
March 14, 2022 6:30pm
Present:
Dana McAvoy (East Bay), Jenn Wulf (DNA), Dave Marty (Indian Creek), Karen Clemens, Clark Gilman, Tim Smith, Larry Dzieza (Nottingham), Bob Jacobs (Governor Stevens), Judy Bardin (Northwest Olympia), Cari Hornbein, Darrah Johnson (Wildwood), Victor Minjares (South Capitol), Charlette Persons (Bigelow), John Owen (Makers Architects)
6:30 – 7:15 Cari Hornbein – Neighborhood Centers: Process and Engagement.
The agenda was revised to allow the city staff to speak first.
Cari Hornbein presented a slide deck describing the current process for neighborhood centers. [Slide Deck and minutes in context below].
There 17 identified NCs in the Master Plan. Some of which are no longer relevant. A question was asked about who picked these? The answer was given by Clark Gilman. He recalled that they included existing neighborhood establishments not knowing whether they would or would not develop to become a neighborhood center. The city is not wedded to these but these sites have something to work with or the potential to become a NC.
Karen Clemens commented that some of these (i.e., the Pit Stop) establishments are not likely good fit for a neighborhood center and was glad to hear that the city is not wedded to these sites.
The city in 2014 tried to identify why the NC’s weren’t progressing.
Key findings from 2014 survey and study:
Many of these conditions still exist.
Bob Jacobs: The city’s staff’s goals was the wrong goal. We zone them but its entirely up to private persons to establish these businesses and it’s not easy to be successful. Suggests that we drop this idea and zone it and wait for it to happen.
Kari: looking for creative ideas from the consultants on how to address the barriers.
Charlotte Persons: Asked about these are supposed to draw from nearby residents how does it relate to competing with existing business?
John: Leland Consulting Group doing the market analysis thinks that if you can get 1,000 people within 20-minute walk they can do pretty well. And in some cases, it may be a tradeoff with the neighborhood about density that would support a NC.
Charlotte: To confirm, you think that this is a reason to have more density?
John: Yes. But we need to consult with the neighborhoods about how they feel. One size doesn’t fit all. Public investments like schools and parks play a role in making them successful.
Kari cited ways the city might help assist in the development of NCs such as grants and modifications regulations or impact fees.
Larry asked if they are looking to leverage the permitting of new developments to include NCs. For instance, the Boulevard property might require the developer to provide reduced cost rent for a period of years.
John suggested that better sidewalks, charging stations and other improvement might help assist with NCs.
Judy Bardin shared that the Westside Co-op is wildly popular and observed that it and Spuds draw from outside the neighborhood.
Jen Wulf: Many downtown residents wish there were more than one grocery store.
Kari: outlined the scope of work to be done. The demographic work in the next 2 to 3 weeks and combine with market assessment.
They have interviewed six business owners. A commercial broker interviewed. Interviewed the building owner of the restaurant near the Westside Coop. Also spoke to the owner of Vic’s Pizza.
Kari: Heard that the lack of land is a challenge. While more people move to Olympia the cost of construction has gone up. The city communications staff will help put together a communication plan. Probably around July and share what was learned through 2 or 3 open houses. They will also share information with RNAs and the CNA through staff.
John: It may seem strange that the public engagement isn’t until mid-stream. Thinks we can be more effective if the data and analysis is done before the public engages in the summer. Admits that it is unusual for this kind of effort.
Kari: The thought is that it really is just a resumption of what was already in place before the NC effort paused.
Karen: How do you determine the neighborhood characteristics without engaging with the people?
John: We will use demographic and building data, employment, public attractions, transportation. Sometimes the recommendations are keeping what is or expanding what is.
Larry: Did the city have a role in the recent success with Briggs area with a pub, ice cream and some services? Was anything learned?
Tim: We learned we needed to be flexible. We changed regulations. Allowed drive through coffee stand. A grocery store is also under development considerations. The developer decided the density would come before the neighborhood centers.
Kari: discussed policy framework and potential incentives.
Kari: The consultants will be looking at equity and parity.
Larry: Expressed a desire that the consultants consult with the local neighborhood associations.
Charlotte: suggested that when the neighborhoods have events that it would be a good time to visit. Kari asked that any events scheduled be sent to her.
7:15 – 7:45 Neighborhood Reports
Bob Jacobs: Planning a restart of the Egg Hunt.
Bruce: SWONA and NONA sent a statement regarding how they would like the development of the Westside Capital Mall Triangle proceed. 62% of the signatories of the statement sent emails to the City about the development of Boulevard Road to support the Habitat for Humanity be put on the short list for consideration. It would be affordable housing that the city needs. They will have a Board meeting next week.
Dara (Wildwood): Working on annual calendar of events and keeping it flexible.
Karen: Eastside continuing to work on the grant to produce a newsletter. The core team who put together the neighborhood subarea plan are meeting bi-weekly at the community club house Sundays’ at 11:00 a.m. Neighborhood is working on walkability related to a SprayGround to be placed at Lyon’s park. At least an asphalt path is hoped to be built.
Dana: East Bay Drive had its Spring members meeting last week by Zoom. Good discussions and had a presentation by the new homeless coordinator. Planning on face-to-face meetings. Got a couple of murals that need refreshing and discussions are beginning.
Dave Marty: Looking forward to in-person meetings.
Jenn Wulf: Downtown is working on a matching grant proposal but needs more work to go into and will miss the deadline but look for other sources of funding. Considering changing the name from Downtown Neighborhood Association to Downtown Neighbors Association.
Victor: South Capitol Neighborhood is having its meeting tomorrow. All newsletters are done through the city grant. Hope to have an event this summer. Concerns about the developments at the Capital regarding the planned parking structure and the loss of views.
Larry: Nottingham going to have first Egg Hunt. New volunteers engaging in the process. Planning for our summer event.
7:45 – 7:50 Tim Smith Report
Reminder of the March 18th matching grant cycle. Zero applicants so far.
March 21st is registered neighborhood update deadline.
Quince Street Housing at the former Quality Inn for Emergency Housing. A neighborhood notice and meeting will go out when permit application (temporary use for a year) is submitted.
519 Puget Street code enforcement issue. The owner has applied for a demolition permit. Hope to have that issued in a couple of weeks.
7:50 – 8:05 Council Liaison Report – Councilmember Clark Gilman
Councilmember Payne and Clark will alternate until Yen’s responsibility on a fire task force ends.
Clark talked about neighborhood engagement. Staff has been engaged for years in these long term plans and gave an example where the community input could be 10 or 12 years old – Westbay Drive.
Police Chief candidate forum coming up.
Boulevard development coming up in a study session. Council will offer more input on what should be shortlisted.
Land Use in April will hear about Southeast Annexation. Years of conversation but it’s reaching a decision point.
Bruce Coulter: I don’t understand the language of the West Bay transportation study. Concerned about West Bay Drive and the traffic especially at the roundabouts. He said he has heard nothing from the city except putting in crosswalks.
Judy Bardin: It takes a while before the neighbors even realize there is an issue and concern about Braun Street. We provide feedback but rarely get feedback about what happens.
Clark: Crestline neighborhood also feels they may be impacted.
8:05 – 8:20 Sidewalks – Larry
Larry provided a PowerPoint. He asked the question about whether sidewalks for people should have the same priority as a transportation element the same as roads for cars.
Larry discussed the very small amount of funding in the budget for sidewalk maintenance ($11,000 a year). He recapped a recent City meeting briefing on sidewalks:
City makes most property maintain the sidewalks adjacent to their property. But the City is still liable for lawsuits.
The city does take care of sidewalks along certain roads.
The city doesn’t have an inventory of sidewalk condition, unlike roads.
The problem is that sidewalks are not getting fixed as a result of those notifications, and it is time for the council to revisit this issue as the last discussion was in 2005.
Clark: Has a dream of a shift in which sidewalks are considered part of a multi-modal transportation approach.
Bob Jacobs: More budget is needed. Consideration should be given of using asphalt which is more affordable when it comes to building new sidewalks.
Judy Bardin: Raised an equity issue as lower income people more often rely on transit and the sidewalks to access it.
8:20 – 8:30 Minutes Approval and Agenda Ideas
Bob Jacobs moved the adoptions of the minutes. Minutes were adopted.
The following agenda ideas were made:
- City council and staff respond back to what the public says.
- Housing on Boulevard update
- Update on the Indian Summer annexation
- Presentation by Home fund manager – Darian Lightfoot
- How to block parties; ask folks to brainstorm
- Why do we mess up on city housing projects; after action reports from city staff.
8:30 Adjourn
Council of Neighborhood Associations 