Olympia officials allay concerns about tall buildings around mall | The Olympian

The Olympia Planning Commission is preparing for a public hearing on January 6 to discuss the Capital Mall Triangle subarea planned action ordinance, which aims to transform the area surrounding Capital Mall into a denser residential neighborhood. While the ordinance seeks to streamline development regulations, officials are managing expectations regarding the timeline for significant construction, including taller buildings. Senior Planner David Ginther pointed out that current market conditions, particularly high interest rates, pose challenges to immediate development. He noted that affordable housing projects may be prioritized over market-rate developments in the near term. The revised regulations will allow building height limits to increase from 105 feet to 130 feet in the core area and from 75 feet to 105 feet in surrounding zones, with special considerations for adjacent neighborhoods.

Community feedback has been mixed, with some residents expressing concerns about the proposed heights. Ginther emphasized that substantial construction is not expected in the short to mid-term, aligning with a 20-year planning process. This hearing represents a crucial step in addressing the future urbanization of the Capital Mall Triangle area while balancing community concerns with development needs.