The holidays are upon us and I am taking the opportunity with the last Director’s Report of 2023 to reflect back on this past year.
The year kicked off with a story map of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update which included a survey on how and where the City should plan to accommodate growth. In February, interviews were held with key stakeholders for the SR305 corridor to inform the Leland Market and Feasibility Study. March and April were spent monitoring and analyzing the multiple bills that were passed in this years legislative session with over 50 bills proposed (not all passed) specific to housing, land use planning, transportation and climate change. April also marked the launch of community input on the four growth alternatives for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update.
The summer weather heated up, along with our our 2024 Comprehensive Plan outreach efforts, with over ten public participation events including Saturdays at the Farmers Market, Coffee with a Planner, weekdays at the library, and Summer Nights o the Bay. Additionally, our GIS mapping efforts were bolstered with the addition of our summer intern, Mark Dettman, in partnership with Tiffany Simmons, Permit Specialist and PED Department GIS lead. Ultimately, a new interactive mapping web application is in the wings to be launched in the new year.
Fall brought a pause to development on vacant, commercial properties along the SR 305 Corridor and within the Olhava Master Plan (College Marketplace), as well as those zoned Business Park with the passage of two moratoriums. These moratoriums will provide the opportunity for the City to explore opening up and incentivizing housing options within two (2) of our four (4) commercial zones.
This time last year, we welcomed our newest planner, Ashley Weller, and this year we celebrated her one-year anniversary. Ashley is rapidly taking on more complex land use permits, has completed a cultural resources handout and is in the process of providing a Housing Report that will highlight the type of units built this year.
The end of the year brought an end to the Planning Commission's initial review of goals and policies with the completion of the final chapter, transportation, in November. Nine (9) chapters of goals and policies and eight (8) full element chapters were reviewed by our planning commission over the year. Also notable, the housing allocation numbers, which sets the stage for the housing types we will target in the next 20 years, was finalized for the city and the cities within the county.
Much of this work and more (see summary of land use permits in 2023 below) was accomplished by our team of five along with support from our two interns and special project planner, Karla Boughton. Our work is informed and improved by the city’s many talented employees as well our engaged citizenry. I am thankful to work with such a talented team alongside a thoughtful and engaged leadership team, the Planning Commission, City Council and Mayor. On behalf of the Department, we are looking forward to what we can accomplish together in 2024.
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