April 16, 2002

Olympia Planning Commission
2404 Heritage Court SW #B
Olympia, WA 98502

RE: Comp Plan Amendments to Raise Height Limits in Waterfront Housing Zone

Dear Planning Commission:

It is clear that this is an issue that has divided our community. Both sides appear to think that they are acting to protect the values of the community. Those that support raising height limits say that increasing the amount of attractive housing downtown is very important to downtown livability.

Those that oppose raising waterfront height limits consider maintaining current views and the current lower building density as very important to Olympia’s quality of life.

Our shoreline master program follows state guidelines with its current 35’ height limit near the waterfront. Amending this standard requires placing waterfront housing as a significantly higher priority than maintaining the widely appreciated views and low height buildings in the isthmus between Capitol Lake and Budd Inlet.

I can’t think of any Washington community of comparable size that has tall buildings on an attractive waterfront. It may be common and appropriate in other climates and other regions — particularly in major cities. The taller buildings are not compatible with Washington lifestyles and values. Mountains, trees and our capitol dome are views that we value, and that we don’t want to lose. Thus, it is completely inappropriate that housing be given a higher priority than maintaining the current waterfront height limits.

It is my understanding that the comprehensive plan goal that is being pursued with this amendment, is to achieve more low and moderate priced housing downtown. New homes with waterfront views will not support this goal without substantial subsidy. Increasing the availability of upscale housing through this unpopular policy change is a very roundabout approach to the laudable goal of more low and moderate priced downtown housing. A more logical and direct approach would be to increase the financial feasibility of converting older commercial buildings in the downtown to apartments.

Last year there was a rezone proposal scheduled for public hearing that would have allowed a high rise building on the site of the old County Health Department building. That proposal was withdrawn shortly before the scheduled hearing. Planning staff told me at that time that the proposal was withdrawn because the Comprehensive Plan did not support the rezone. I certainly hope that the Commission’s time and effort and city funds for consultants’ work have not been driven by one proposal that does not fit within the parameters of Comprehensive Plan standards. That would be a very disappointing inversion of community planning process.

Please reject the proposed increase in waterfront height limitations and continue to protect the character of Olympia’s downtown waterfront.

Thank you for your consideration,
Leslie H. Romer