ATTACHMENT 3A

ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
 ATTACHMENT 3A

-----Original Message-----
From: Russ Meixner [mailto:mix@olywa.net]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 1:53 PM
To: Jan Weydemeyer
Subject: Shoreline Master Program Update

Dear Planning Commission Members,

As you deal with the update of the Shoreline Master Program you need to be careful not to assume "one
size fits all" updates that apply across the board to all the waterfront. This is directed towards the City of
Olympia and the mix of waterfront that is involved. Specifically, lets look at the isthmus where there is a
proposed building height increase. If you look at the waterfront in that area we already have a park
along Capital Lake which covers the South side of the isthmus. Heritage Park gives the public great access
to the waterfront. The West end of the isthmus, between the 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue, is in a condition
and location that it will never be used as an access point to the waterfront for the general public. Moving to
the North side of the new 4th Avenue bridge we have a wonderful boardwalk that wraps around the
waterfront in front of Bayview, Olympia Yacht Club and the Oyster House. The property included in the
isthmus is surrounded by waterfront access on every accessible foot of its frontage. It would not
be necessary to adopt a no building or a reduced height position on the first 200' of the shoreline. The
waterfront access is already in place so there is no need to limit building along the isthmus. Infact the
isthmus is the best location for "Market Rate Housing" because of the multiple views. You get a different
and great view from every direction.

Now lets look at West Bay Drive waterfront that is undeveloped and is a clean sheet of paper that allows us
to create the desired level of development of retail, office, housing, walking trails, parks and access to the
waterfront. We have an opportunity in this area to create a combination of activities that blend together and
accomplish a great looking as well as active waterfront. Again the no building in the first 200' of the
shoreline does not work and is not even needed. The property on the west side of West Bay Drive is a hill
so the properties have a substantial gain in elevation that allows for any building on the west side to have a
view over the buildings on the waterfront. This could be an area where the waterfront might be limited to a
three story building height maximum. This would allow the development on the west side of West Bay Drive
to still maintain a view. The buildings along the waterfront could include a board walk style trail that will
connect the public to the retail and restaurants along the waterfront as well as the city park and the
waterfront. Some ideas for this type of development exist in Tacoma on Ruston Way.

The next area is the Port of Olympia property which is a totally different challenge. You have a working Port
that has shown an interest in diversifying from just a working port to adding the Hands on Children's
Museum, restaurants, office buildings, retail, Farmer's Market and potentially any number of other
development ideas. The Port property is a totally different development animal and you can look at
Grandville Island in Vancouver, B.C. for the mixed use type of development that can occur. We need to
keep the development options open for the Port. I think you need to leave the Port property requirements
under the Shoreline Master Plan as they currently exist. The layout of the Port property with regards to
development vary from other parts of Olympia waterfront. The Port has the opportunity of developing
around the working portions of the Port to lessen the impact and create a active relationship with the public
that wants to view original Port type of work. With all the children in the area engaging with the new
museum there will be a large number of those children that would love to view a working port and the trucks,
cranes, ships, etc.

As you are aware there are different needs in and around the Olympia waterfront. My hope is that you can
address the various needs and not select the "one size fits all" updates to the Shoreline Master Program.
This is a critical point in time for Olympia and the redevelopment of downtown. You have an opportunity to
be a positive part of this process in the decisions you make that will effect the outcome of redevelopment. If
you wish to discuss this further I am available at my office at 786-1100.

Sincerely,
Russ Meixner
2143 East Bay Drive
Olympia, WA. 98506
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A
ATTACHMENT 3A