June 2025

CNA MEETING AGENDA & MINUTES

CNA MEETING AGENDA & MINUTES

June 9, 2025, 6:30pm

 6:30 – 7:00     Neighborhood Reports

7:00 – 7:15       Councilmember Update

7:15 – 7:45       Neighborhood Traffic Issues

7:45 – 8:15      Affordable Housing Forum Report Out and Take Aways for Neighborhoods

8:15 – 8:25      Chair and Committee Reports

• • • • Sidewalks – Scheduling a dedicated meeting for CNA
      • Update on Land Use Chapter Proposed Changes

8:25 – 8:30      Minutes Approval and Agenda Ideas

8:30                 Adjourn 

 

Attending:

Neighborhood Representatives: Larry Dzieza (CNA Chair/Nottingham HOA); Karen Sweeney (CNA Vice-Chair/Eastside NA); Marty Worchester (Redwood Estates HOA); Gerald Apple (South Capital NA); Bob Jacobs (Governor Stevens NA); Peter Guttchen (North East NA); Daniel Garcia (Downtown NA); Judy Bardin (North West Olympia NA); Stu Olshevski (South West Olympia NA); Dana McAvoy (East Bay Drive NA); Jennevieve Schlemmer (Bigelow Neighborhood)

City Representatives: Robert Vanderpool (City Council); Tim Smith (Community Planning and Economic Development).

 

Quick recap

The meeting covered neighborhood-specific issues including traffic safety concerns, ongoing oyster seeding projects, and local events like garage sales and park cleanups. City-wide discussions focused on comprehensive plan updates, affordable housing initiatives, and transportation policies, with particular attention to proposed zoning changes and density modifications. The group addressed concerns about communication clarity from city staff and emphasized the importance of public input on major planning decisions, while also discussing potential solutions to various neighborhood challenges.

 

Summary

Dana discusses two main neighborhood issues. First, they are working to reduce speeding on East Bay Drive by collaborating with the city to install temporary speed radar signs and seeking information about a planned reconfiguration in 2030. Second, Dana mentions their ongoing 18th annual East Bay Drive neighborhood oyster seeding project, which allows residents to purchase and plant oyster seeds in the bay, contributing to water purification efforts. The project runs through July 19th and has planted about 400,000 oyster seeds over the past 17 years.

 

Neighborhood Updates and Safety Concerns

The neighborhood representatives discuss various local issues and upcoming events.

Bob mentions a neighborhood garage sale and expresses concern about excessive air traffic, suggesting collective action to address it.

Gerald discusses the South Capitol neighborhood’s annual meeting and upcoming social barbecue.

Several representatives, including Karen and Jennevieve, highlight speeding and traffic safety as major concerns in their areas.

Jennevieve also mentions a recent park cleanup and an archaeological dig at Bigelow House.

Daniel promotes upcoming downtown events like Love Olympia Summerfest and Pride Weekend.

Judy raises a potential future issue regarding parking regulations conflicting with mail delivery requirements.

Stu reports on upcoming events in his neighborhood, including a garage sale and emergency preparedness efforts.

Peter discusses pedestrian safety concerns and provides updates on community projects like the belonging flags and food forest.

Larry shares traffic issues in Nottingham and efforts to build community connections.

 

Councilmember Update

Robert gives updates on city initiatives, including a wayfinding plan, arts funding, and school transportation improvements. He also addresses concerns about speeding, pedestrian safety, and park renaming brought up by other attendees.

Robert discusses the recommendation to remove the Log Cabin Road Extension from the Regional Transportation Plan, which will be voted on by the Transportation Policy Board and potentially the full TRPC.

Judy raises concerns about the airport’s impact on Olympia, including noise and health issues from plane emissions. Robert agrees to look into potential city ordinances to address airspace concerns. Peter suggests drafting a letter about airport noise concerns for neighborhoods to sign onto individually, rather than as a coalition.

The group also discusses the importance of providing input on the comprehensive plan, particularly regarding climate action and resilience. Jennevieve expresses enthusiasm for the armory’s potential as a community space, while Daniel notes that the city is off track on its climate goals.

 

Affordable Housing Forum Key Discussions

The Affordable Housing Forum was well-attended with about 70 participants, including representatives from neighborhood associations, planning commission, and housing organizations. Discussions at various tables covered topics such as unintended consequences of rental regulations, the potential for subdividing large homes, and the need for better outreach about existing city programs. Participants also emphasized the importance of neighborhood-level planning, investing in neighborhoods, and considering factors beyond rent that affect housing affordability, such as walkability and access to urban agriculture.

 

Affordable Housing Forum Takeaways

The meeting participants discuss takeaways from a recent affordable housing forum. Gerald highlights ideas like converting empty downtown buildings into housing, cohousing, lowering permit costs, and the need for more emergency beds. Larry shares insights from his diverse group, including the need for quicker housing approvals, creating more condominiums, and addressing gentrification. Robert appreciates the energy and different perspectives at the forum. Tim emphasizes the successful collaboration between the city and CNA in organizing the event. The group also discusses the high costs of permitting fees and the challenges faced by small landlords in maintaining affordable rental properties.

 

Comprehensive Plan and Sidewalk Discussion

The meeting discusses a proposed dedicated meeting on sidewalks and community mobility, which receives general support from attendees. Peter suggests broadening the scope to include pedestrian safety and alternatives to sidewalks. The group also addresses the ongoing work on the Land Use and Environment Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. Larry reports on recent major changes to the draft and the confusion surrounding the lack of an official released version. The staff clarifies that the proposal to allow commercial uses in residential areas and potentially increase residential density up to 24 units per acre came from the City Council, not public requests. The staff emphasizes that these ideas are still in progress and subject to community feedback.

 

City Comprehensive Plan Update Discussion

The group discusses the ongoing process for the city’s Comprehensive Plan update, particularly focusing on a new chapter. Larry explains that a draft of the chapter will be available by mid-next week, with a community meeting scheduled for July 2nd and a Planning Commission public hearing on July 21st.

Concerns are raised about the vagueness of the current proposals, the lack of clarity on potential impacts, and the need for more concrete information. Judy and Marty highlight issues such as the need for better environmental considerations, particularly regarding tree preservation during development. The discussion emphasizes the importance of public input and the challenge of balancing various interests in the planning process.

 

City Zoning Plan Concerns

The group discusses their frustration with the city’s proposed changes to zoning and density in the comprehensive plan update. Peter expresses confusion about the direction of the city and the timing of significant changes late in the planning process.

Bob criticizes the lack of clarity in communication from city staff, particularly regarding current neighborhood densities and definitions of density. Judy raises concerns about the short timeline between receiving the draft plan and the public hearing, questioning how the public will understand the proposed changes given the complexity of the issues.

 

 

Comprehensive Plan Changes Discussion

The group discusses concerns about proposed changes to the comprehensive plan, including merging land use designations and potentially allowing commercial development in all neighborhoods. Tim explains that these changes are in response to council direction and emphasizes that zoning districts will remain separate from land use designations.

The group agrees that more time is needed for the community to understand and react to these significant changes. They also discuss the upcoming community meeting on July 2nd and future public hearings.

 

Next steps

• David Ginther: Release new draft of Land Use Chapter by mid-next week
• Tim: Present clear explanation of the Land Use Chapter changes and implications at the July 2nd community meeting
• All CNA Members: Review and provide feedback on the new Land Use Chapter draft before the July 2nd community meeting
• Planning Commission: Hold public hearing on Land Use Chapter on July 21st
• Larry: Coordinate with city staff to organize a dedicated CNA meeting on sidewalks and pedestrian safety
• Robert: Look into city options for regulating airport noise and airspace restrictions
• Peter: Draft a letter regarding airport noise/pollution concerns for neighborhoods to potentially sign on to
• Marty: Schedule neighborhood walk-through with Robert to show development impacts in Sub Area D
• Larry: Send email communications about neighborhood events to all CNA members upon request