Policy Review Tool

Tom Palmateer Jul 31 2025 at 5:38PM on page 2

Concern

Do not rezone the property on Mullen Rd adjacent to Komachin Middle School. Additionally, do not build Cottage Housing on the small 5 acre lot. Government should not be in the business of providing housing to low income and drug addicts. This has the potential to increase crime and lower property values in the area.

Tarragon Jul 30 2025 at 4:41PM on page 2

Suggestion

We support the intent of Policy H-1C but recommend greater flexibility in its application. Not all areas are suited for traditional mixed-use development, and requiring ground-floor commercial space can lead to long-term vacancies. Where appropriate, we encourage the city to allow live-work units or residential uses on the ground floor to better match the surrounding context and market demand while still supporting the city’s housing goals.

Anonymous Jul 29 2025 at 2:07PM on page 3

Concern

The federal government is defunding HUD, including the enforcement of the Fair Housing Act, and Washington State puts $0 behind the enforcement of the Fair Housing Act. We have two nonprofits in the state that do the majority of this work, but they are losing their federal grant funding and will close, and so far nobody seems to care. Once there is nobody left to enforce a law, then the law is pointless.

Anonymous Jul 28 2025 at 9:16AM on page 4

Concern

Surplus public lands? What is this referring to? Are these zoned?

Anonymous Jul 28 2025 at 9:14AM on page 4

Concern

Thank you for moving the campers in the Lacey City Hall parking lot. Let's not have a place like the "Jungle" in the City of Olympia. An area without supervision and services that puts citizens in and out of the area at risk.

Anonymous Jul 28 2025 at 9:12AM on page 4

Concern

Not sure where to put this comment. On zoning map #7, 5000 Mullen Road. This change to OS-I property to Medium residential does not support the area land uses. There is a school across the street. There are numerous Medium residential properties nearby, if you are looking for variety. There is poor access to the road that already has attractive medians that would be a hinderance to access. Mullen Road already is high traffic and does not support pedestrians safely crossing the road. Finally OS-I is precious and this property is in a key location to remain greenbelt. Especially in its function for ground water drainage.

Anonymous Jul 26 2025 at 9:16PM on page 6

Support

Yes

Anonymous Jul 26 2025 at 9:12PM on page 5

Suggestion

Create cross sector collaborations

Anonymous Jul 26 2025 at 9:08PM on page 5

Suggestion

Incentivize employers who prioritize hiring Lacey residents whenever possible

Anonymous Jul 26 2025 at 9:03PM on page 3

Support

yes

Anonymous Jul 26 2025 at 9:02PM on page 3

Suggestion

homeowners with low incomes... not low income homeowners

Anonymous Jul 26 2025 at 9:00PM on page 2

Suggestion

Please stop using the language of "low-income" . You are reducing lived experience as though everyone who has a low income has arrived at the same place by taking the same route. I agree with an earlier comment about not using this language. And we have to continue using the DEIB language to ensure we are hearing from people who historically have not had a voice. Let's continue to protect our values here in Lacey.

Janel Jul 24 2025 at 2:19PM on page 2

Consider reducing permit and impact fees on affordable housing. The cost of construction is extremely high and that would help attract developers.

Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 2:16PM on page 2

Please stop pushing the DEI agenda. Economics hurts everyone equally. Also, the Federal Government is withdrawing the Affirmative Fair Housing Act.

Anonymous Jul 19 2025 at 5:48AM on page 2

Suggestion

Reduce the minimum square footage requirement for new construction. Allow more parcel splits so small lots are available for sale. Identify suitable vacant land for construction of smaller homes, purchase the land, do environment impact studies on all of the new parcels and permit them for pre-designed homes. This would eliminate much of the expense of building a small home and the city would make back the money spent with no profit. The city could act as a general contractor with the goal of breaking even instead of making a large profit like current developers.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:53AM on page 7

Suggestion

General Comment From Olympia Master Builders:
The Housing Element presents a strong foundation for inclusive and scalable housing growth in Lacey.

To maximize its impact, we recommend:

Expanding fast-track review and pre-approved plans for middle housing types;

Avoiding one-size-fits-all sustainability mandates unless funded;

Streamlining permitting and impact fees to align with affordability and infill goals;

Ensuring housing-supportive infrastructure investments and surplus land strategies are implementation-ready;

Focusing regional collaboration on permit consistency and pipeline acceleration.

These refinements will help Lacey meet its housing goals without slowing delivery or adding cost burdens to new homes.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:51AM on page 6

Support

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL H-9: Sustainable, Livable Growth
Homebuilder Response:
Strategically vital for connecting land use and housing policy.

Policy H-9A–B – Assess demand/zoning; streamline permitting
Strongly Support: These are priority actions. Add specific implementation steps such as:

Form-based codes

ADU permit checklists

Objective design standards

Rolling housing capacity analysis

Policy H-9E – Reduce VMT via mixed-use housing
Support: Pair this with parking reductions, form flexibility, and incentives for TOD-style development.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:50AM on page 5

Suggestion

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL H-8: Regional Collaboration
Homebuilder Response:
Necessary for system-level solutions and leveraging funding.

Suggestion: Clarify that regional coordination should include consistent permitting standards and alignment on zoning definitions to reduce complexity across jurisdictions.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:50AM on page 5

Suggestion

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL H-7: Mitigate Displacement
Homebuilder Response:
This section is critical, but execution matters.

Policy H-7A–C – Displacement mitigation, MHP overlays, NOAH preservation
Support with Clarification: Ensure policies don’t result in redevelopment vetoes. Instead, emphasize toolkits like voluntary preservation agreements, tenant relocation assistance, and unit set-asides.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:49AM on page 4

Support

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL H-6: Maximize Resource Efficiency
Homebuilder Response:
Good alignment of infrastructure, land, and funding strategies.

Policy H-6B – Use of surplus public lands
Strongly Support: Suggest bundling this with pre-entitlements and partnerships to deliver shovel-ready affordable housing.

Policy H-6D – Align housing and economic development
Support: Encourage zoning for workforce housing near employment centers and establish incentives for developers who build mixed-income communities.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:48AM on page 4

Suggestion

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL H-5: Unhoused Populations
Homebuilder Response:
Important goal with potential for broad community support.

Policy H-5B – Siting emergency housing
Recommendation: Ensure this process is objective and not vulnerable to NIMBY challenges, especially near transit or commercial corridors.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:47AM on page 3

Suggestion

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL H-4: Sustainable, Compatible Housing
Homebuilder Response:
A critical intersection of housing and environmental goals.

Policy H-4A–B – Sustainability and preservation
Caution: Avoid adding rigid green building mandates unless offset by funding or incentives. Consider performance-based or tiered sustainability tools, such as density bonuses for energy-efficient design.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:46AM on page 3

Support

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL H-3: Affordable & Attainable Housing
Homebuilder Response:
One of the strongest sections—solid on partnerships and flexibility.

Policy H-3A–E – Partnerships, rehab, veteran housing
Support: Recommend the City also establish a housing navigator function or one-stop permitting help desk to assist smaller nonprofit and mission-aligned developers.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:45AM on page 2

Support

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL H-2: Equitable and Inclusive Distribution
Homebuilder Response:
Equity lens is essential—but should be paired with flexible regulatory pathways.

Policy H-2B – Homeownership diversity (townhomes, ADUs, cottage housing)
Support with Implementation: Fast-track approval for these types and consider waived/reduced impact fees or parking minimums.

Policy H-2D – DEIB-driven engagement
Support: Engagement is important—suggest including builders, realtors, and small developers in outreach processes to better reflect practical barriers.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:44AM on page 2

Support

From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL H-1: Housing Availability and Choice
Homebuilder Response:
Strong language on diversity and innovation.

Policy H-1A–C – Housing type variety, mixed-income tools, and alternative housing models
Support: Recommend formalizing zoning and permitting support for middle housing prototypes (e.g., 4-plexes, stacked flats) and offering pre-approved plans to reduce cost and delay.

Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 11:42AM on page 1

Suggestion

Overview From Olympia Master Builders:
Homebuilder Perspective Overview
The Housing Element is the most directly relevant chapter for the industry—and Lacey’s draft largely reflects a strong pro-housing orientation. It recognizes state mandates (HB 1110 & HB 1220), embraces middle housing, and acknowledges the need for flexibility, affordability, and sustainability. However, to be fully effective, some policies should:

Include clear implementation mechanisms, not just supportive intent

Emphasize predictability and streamlining in regulatory reform

Guard against overly complex or resource-intensive requirements on small and infill developers

Sharon Jul 6 2025 at 4:05PM on page 2

Concern

If you keep pushing the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in housing you are doing nothing to move forward with a solution. If you keep building lower income housing, you are introducing into communities people that won't work, that have criminal records, and usually have issues with drugs.
You don't need to build more low income housing. Its not a homeless problem, its a drug problem. Fix the later and the first will fix itself.

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