The Olympia City Council held a study session on July 29, 2025, focusing on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) as part of the comprehensive plan. The meeting began with a presentation by staff member Michelle, who provided insights into the chapter dedicated to transportation.

Council Member Madrone expressed pride in the TMP, highlighting positive feedback from constituents and acknowledging the ongoing challenges of securing staff resources and funding for project implementation. He noted the importance of collaboration with the Planning Commission, which was represented at the meeting, to address concerns and ensure comprehensive understanding of the plan.

Council Member Vanderpool, who was unable to attend the previous meeting due to the birth of his child, offered several recommendations for edits to the TMP. He suggested replacing the term "large vehicles" with "service vehicles" in the document to clarify the intended meaning. Vanderpool also proposed that a study on the impacts of closing certain neighborhood streets to vehicle traffic be framed as a pilot study, referencing recent state legislation that supports such initiatives.

Further discussions ensued regarding the construction of new streets, with Vanderpool questioning the necessity of building traditional arterial roads. He expressed a preference for a neighborhood-centric grid design, which aligns with modern urban planning principles. Staff responded by explaining that the TMP includes a street hierarchy to ensure that new developments adhere to city standards, which encompass various classifications of streets, including arterials and collectors.

The session concluded with a commitment to continue refining the TMP and addressing the concerns raised by council members. The council plans to further discuss the implications of the proposed changes and the overall direction of the transportation strategy in future meetings.