2013 Annual Amendment

City of TacomaPlanning and Development Services

Planning Commission Public HearingMarch 20, 2013

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Presentation Outline Overview Proposals Notification Next Steps

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Plan & Code Comprehensive Plan:

– Official statement for future growth and development– Consistent with state mandates and regional policies– 26 elements

Development Regulations:– TMC Title 13 – Land Use Regulatory Code – Implement & consistent with the Comprehensive Plan

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Plan & Code Amendments Annual Amendments:

– “No more frequently than once per year” (per GMA)

Purposes:– Meet legislative requirements– Keep information current– Maintain funding eligibility– Improve customer service

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2013 Annual AmendmentApplications: Amending:

1. Drive-Through Regulations Code

2. Countywide Planning Policies Plan

3. Transportation Element Plan

4. Shoreline Related Elements Plan

5. Land Use Designations Plan

6. Adoption and Amendment Procedures Code

7. Platting and Subdivision Regulations Code

8. Sign Regulations Code

9. Regulatory Code Cleanup Code

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7 Elements Growth Strategy and Development Concept Generalized Land Use Transportation Open Space Habitat and Recreation Thea Foss Waterway Design and Development Plan Ruston Way Plan Shoreline Trails Plan

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7 Chapters 1.37 Transfer of Development Rights

Program Administrative Code 10.14 Driveways 13.02 Planning Commission 13.04 Platting and Subdivisions 13.05 Land Use Permit Procedures 13.06 Zoning 13.06A Downtown Tacoma

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Process (July June) June 2012 Applications due

August 2012 Assessment

Aug 2012 – Feb 2013 Analysis

Feb – Mar 2013 Public Review

April 2013 Recommendation

May 2013 Council Review

June 2013 Council Adoption

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Summary of Proposals #2013-01 Drive-Through Regulations #2013-02 Countywide Planning Policies

#2013-04 Transportation Element #2013-05 Shoreline Related Elements #2013-06 Land Use Designations #2013-07 Adoption and Amendment Procedures #2013-08 Platting and Subdivision Regulations #2013-09 Sign Regulations

#2013-12 Regulatory Code Cleanup

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#2013-01:Drive-through Regulations Where permitted:

– Baseline requirements (driveways, windows, stacking lanes, setbacks, landscaping, buffers, bicyclists)

X Districts:– Additional requirements (stacking lanes behind building,

visual screening)

Downtown and UCX-TD:– Located within a building

To minimize impacts:– Noise, visual, emission, conflicts with pedestrians

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#2013-02:Countywide Planning Policies

Review for consistency Policy enhancement recommended

(for 2015 Update)

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#2013-04:Transportation Element

Update Unfunded Projects (maintaining funding eligibility)

Incorporate “Environmental Justice” (consistent with VISION 2040)

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#2013-05:Shoreline Related Elements Rescind:

– Thea Foss Waterway Design and Development Plan– Ruston Way Plan– Shoreline Trails Plan

Adopt by reference: – Tacoma Waterfront Design Guidelines– Public Access Alternatives Plan

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#2013-06:Land Use Designations Remove “Intensity”

designations in all Mixed-Use Centers and Shoreline Districts

Add a “Shoreline” designation

Establish a framework to better align land use designations with zoning classifications

Proposed Land Use Designations:• Single-Family Residential• Multi-Family (low-density)• Multi-Family (high-density)• Neighborhood Commercial• General Commercial• Downtown Mixed-Use Center• Urban Mixed-Use Center• Community Mixed-Use Center• Neighborhood Mixed-Use Center• Light Industrial• Heavy Industrial• Parks and Open Space• Shoreline

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#2013-07:Adoption and Amendment Procedures Develop work program in consultation

with the City Council Streamline processes Consolidate procedures

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#2013-08:Platting and Subdivision Regulations Increase short plat max from 4 to 9 lots Address associated issues:

– Public notice for 5-9 lot short plats– Off-site/on-site improvements or bonding– In-lieu fee for open space dedication

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#2013-09:Sign Regulations

Address on-site digital signs Address associated issues:

– Brightness, Size, Hours of Operation, Message Timing– Exemptions

Address minor related issues:– Pedestrian friendly signs in Mixed-use Districts– Feather signs– A-Board signs

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#2013-12:Regulatory Code Cleanup

Key Changes Proposed:– Administrative Determination– Clearer authority for Equivalencies– Allowing variances in Downtown– Craft Production (new use category)

Purposes:– Correct errors– Clarify intent– Improve effectiveness

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Outreach Efforts Stakeholders:

– Dome District– Port of Tacoma– MetroParks Tacoma– Chamber of Commerce– Master Builders Associations– Foss Waterway Development Authority– Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee– Public Works, Police, Legal, and Tacoma Public Utilities

General Outreach:– Neighborhood Councils and Community Council– Neighborhood Business District Associations– Master Builders Associations– Sustainability Commission– Blue Ribbon Panel

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Notification1. Public Hearing Notices (regular and special)

2. Public Notice Signs

3. 60-Day Notices

4. Newspapers

5. Libraries

6. Website

7. Informational Session (3/13/13)

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Next Steps (Key Dates) March 20: Public Hearing

March 29: Hearing Record Closed

April 3: Review Comments / Revise Proposals

April 17: Commission Recommendation

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Thank you, Staff Planning and

Development Services:– Stephen Atkinson– Elliott Barnett– Brian Boudet– Shanta Frantz– Cheri Gibbons– Dustin Lawrence– Jana Magoon – Ian Munce– Shirley Schultz– Lucas Shadduck– Lihuang Wung

Office of Sustainability:–  Diane Wiatr

Community and Economic Development:– Nancy Grabinski-Young– Mike Murnane

Public Works:– Josh Diekmann– Jennifer Kammerzell

City Attorney's Office:– Jeff Capell