Policy Review Tool

Investigate retrofitting noise mitigation measures to reduce noise impacts from traffic on arterials.

Utilize educational outreach and visual tools to promote safe driving speeds.

Increase the number of pedestrian activated lights for crossing arterials. Develop level of service objectives for safe crossings of arterials.

Need better and more protected intersection pedestrian crossings. For example, at Mullen Road and Stikes Dr SE. Very dangerous intersection for pedestrians

Thank you for the addition of roundabouts.

Yes

Yes, thank you!

Where is the plan to repair sidewalks? How will it be financed and prioritized?

Include shaded seating which benefits people of all ages and abilities

Use plain language when working with the community.

yes

Include in the definition of safe that harassment of any type will not be tolerated on public transportation.

It would be great to have bike racks at the Lacey Depot! My family rode bikes to the night market and had to lock up our bikes against the playground fence since we didn’t see any designated place for bikes.

Please move this comment to the appropriate location in your document. We moved to Lacey from a city where there were no roundabouts. Stop signs and traffic signals were used instead. Even on 4 or 6 lane streets, we would see semitruck drivers haphazardly drive over curbs or medians. We appreciate truck drivers, trucks and the cargo they carry. We appreciate the work that goes into building the pretty roads, sidewalks, and landscaping.
Ideas: Maybe require smaller trucks in town? Maybe slow the speed of trucks? Maybe ask truck drivers to take more care with the lovely roads on which they drive? Maybe time the traffic lights so going 25mph on throughfares such as Pacific, Marvin, Martin and Lacey would allow for smoother traffic flow? Maybe reduce speed further for roundabouts.

Neighborhood electric vehicles typically have a top speed of 28mph. I could do all of my daily driving in such a vehicle but there are some roads where this would be dangerous, such as Martin Way, College and Yelm HWY. Signage that clearly states that low speed vehicles are welcome in the right lane.

Yes- Develop communication plans to support and promote public transportation. Highlighting frequency and accessibility.

General Comment From Olympia Master Builders:
The Transportation Element presents a solid long-range vision for multimodal access and sustainable mobility. From a development perspective, We recommend:

Scaling multimodal and traffic calming requirements to project size and type, to avoid burdening infill housing;

Prioritizing infrastructure investments that enable infill and affordable housing growth;

Using predictable/minimal impact fees and flexible design guidelines in lieu of discretionary multimodal mandates;

Aligning EV and TDM expectations with state code and capacity-based thresholds.

These refinements will allow the City to meet transportation and housing goals simultaneously.

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL T-6: Economic Infrastructure
Homebuilder Response:
This goal appropriately emphasizes the need for infrastructure that supports local economic growth, but care must be taken to avoid over-reliance on impact fees as the default funding strategy—particularly in areas targeted for housing production or affordability.

Policy T-6F – Development pays fair share
Caution: While it is reasonable for development to contribute to transportation impacts, Lacey should avoid relying solely on impact fees, which can disproportionately affect smaller-scale infill, middle housing, and affordable projects.
Instead, consider a broader toolkit, such as:

Transportation Benefit Districts or Local Improvement Districts (LIDs)

State or federal infrastructure grants

Fee-in-lieu programs for small projects

Tiered or deferred impact fee structures for affordability or infill development
The City should also regularly evaluate fee schedules for fairness and cumulative impacts across multiple infrastructure categories (transportation, parks, utilities).

Policy T-6E – Strategic flexibility in transportation investment
Strongly Support: This is a critical enabling policy for ensuring infrastructure can respond to market conditions, funding opportunities, and housing pipeline needs. It should be tightly coordinated with the Capital Facilities Plan and land use designations for maximum impact.

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL T-5: Community Identity & Amenities
Homebuilder Response:
Well-intended, but must be balanced to avoid form mandates that reduce housing yield.

Policy T-5C–D – Complete Streets, Strategy Corridors, road diets
Support with Conditions: Ensure these approaches don’t result in parking over-minimization or excessive aesthetic design mandates. Provide objective design options for compliance.

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL T-4: Sustainability and GHG Reduction
Homebuilder Response:
Important values—but implementation must avoid adding hidden costs to housing.

Policy T-4A & T-4B – EV infrastructure, VMT reduction
Support with Guardrails: Require that EV charging mandates be aligned with state building codes and provide grants or rebates to offset costs in affordable housing.

Policy T-4D – Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
Caution: TDM plans should not be required for small infill or middle housing projects—apply only to large-scale developments or commercial/mixed-use nodes.

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL T-3: Transportation & Housing
Homebuilder Response:
One of the strongest goals from a housing perspective—more emphasis needed here.

Policy T-3A–B – Support for affordable housing and urban development
Strong Support: Recommend tying this goal to specific capital planning tools, such as priority sidewalk or transit investments in missing middle housing zones or infill areas.

Policy T-3C – Healthy, interactive active transportation
Support: Encourage inclusion in design guidelines that are flexible and affordable for a range of housing types.

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL T-2: Safety and Quality of Life
Homebuilder Response:
Good focus on vulnerable users and school connectivity.

Policy T-2G – Traffic calming as part of new development
Support with Clarification: Ensure that traffic calming features are implemented through predictable standards, not discretionary interpretation during permit review.

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL T-1: Multimodal Network
Homebuilder Response:
Supportive of long-term vision, but some policies (especially LTS 2 targets) may be cost-prohibitive for small and mid-scale projects.

Policy T-1B – Low Stress (LTS 2 or better) Active Transportation Network
Recommendation: Apply LTS 2 primarily to major corridors and public projects, not as a minimum requirement on every frontage. Allow scaled compliance based on project size.

Policy T-1D – Developer contributions to network gaps
Caution: Recommend clear thresholds for when and where developer mitigation is required, and consider fee-in-lieu options rather than off-site construction obligations.

From Olympia Master Builders:
Homebuilder Perspective Overview
This Transportation Element is ambitious and aligns well with climate and equity goals. It thoughtfully integrates multimodal planning, safety, and regional coordination. However, from a homebuilder and housing supply perspective, several areas need stronger attention to:

Cost impacts and permitting predictability

Infrastructure readiness in planned growth areas

Realistic implementation of multimodal mandates for smaller-scale residential development

We need a rail system to get to the airport or Seattle.

Many street intersections in Lacey are not 4-way (E.G. Golf Club and 7th, Crowe and Lacey Blvd.) Most motorists don't recognize these as crossing where pedestrians have the right-of-way. This makes crossing, (esp. for seniors or handicapped) very dangerous. Painted crosswalks at these areas would make things much safer.