The City of Olympia is currently undertaking a mandatory decennial update to its Comprehensive Plan, as required by State law. This vital update is charting the course for the city’s development through to 2045, addressing key aspects such as accommodating population growth and employment expansion. Furthermore, this process ensures that Olympia’s planning and development regulations are in alignment with the most recent State requirements that have evolved since the last major Comprehensive Plan revision.
This comprehensive update is being conducted chapter by chapter, each with dedicated public engagement phases to ensure community input and feedback are incorporated.
Our current focus is on the Transportation chapter update, a critical component of Olympia’s future development. For those interested in the broader update process or updates to other chapters, please visit the Comprehensive Plan Update home page.
Addressing the Future of Olympia Transportation
The Transportation chapter is dedicated to outlining strategies for maintaining and improving Olympia Transportation networks amidst projected population growth over the next two decades. This update builds upon the groundwork laid by the Transportation Master Plan, adopted in 2021, integrating valuable insights and feedback gathered during its development. The guiding principle of “complete streets that move people, not just cars” is expected to remain central to the policy framework of this chapter, emphasizing a holistic approach to olympia transportation.
Influential Plans Shaping Olympia’s Transportation Vision
Olympia’s commitment to proactive planning is evident in its first-ever Transportation Master Plan, created to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Plan and adopted in 2021. This master plan provides actionable steps to realize the Comprehensive Plan’s vision, detailing necessary infrastructure developments and assessing the feasibility of these projects within projected funding capacities for the next 20 years. It serves as a crucial input to the current olympia transportation chapter update.
Olympia’s olympia transportation planning also aligns with regional frameworks. As part of the Thurston region, Olympia is influenced by the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) and their Regional Transportation Plan, “What Moves You,” last updated in 2020. This regional plan is consistent with Olympia’s existing plans and will inform the ongoing update process, ensuring cohesive olympia transportation strategies across jurisdictions. Collaborative plan reviews with neighboring areas further ensure consistency and regional connectivity.
Public Hearing and Draft Review of Olympia Transportation Plan
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the draft Transportation chapter on February 3, 2025. The next step involves the Commission formulating recommendations for the City Council to consider. Recordings of the hearing and Commission discussions are accessible here for public review.
To ensure transparency and facilitate public understanding, two versions of the latest draft chapter are available: one with tracked changes and another clean version. Additionally, a summary of significant changes from the previous draft has been published. These resources allow stakeholders to fully understand the evolution of the olympia transportation plan and the considerations shaping its current form.
Feedback from the Second Draft Review
During September and October 2024, the second draft of the Transportation chapter was shared with City advisory committees and the broader public. The City greatly valued the insightful feedback received during this period. This input played a crucial role in refining the draft into the public hearing version, demonstrating the responsive and iterative nature of the olympia transportation planning process.
Insights from the First Draft Consultation
Earlier in 2024, from May to July, the initial draft of the Transportation chapter was presented to City advisory committees and the public. The thoughtful responses and comments received during this phase were instrumental in shaping the subsequent second draft. The collected feedback highlights the community’s active participation in shaping the future of olympia transportation and the City’s commitment to incorporating public perspectives into the planning process.
