Tacoma's City and Port Award Winners

The City of Tacoma has been selected as a 2014 Smart Communities Award winner for its innovative South Downtown Sub-area Plan long-range planning strategy AND the City along with the Port of Tacoma for their interlocal agreement for shoreline public access.

Governor Jay Inslee today announced all the winners of the 2014 Smart Communities Awards today. The program recognizes achievements by local leaders who promote smart growth planning and projects that contribute to quality of life in Washington State.

These projects help create and sustain a thriving economic climate and strengthen our ability to lead in the global economy, said Gov. Inslee. Washington is a great state in which to live and do business thanks to these examples of leadership and innovation in community planning and development.

2014 Governor’s Smart Communities Award Winners

Smart Vision Award – Comprehensive Planning
•    City of Tacoma South Downtown Subarea Plan
•    Thurston County Sustainable Thurston Vision and Action Plan
•    City of Redmond 2013 Transportation Master Plan

Smart Choices Award – Implementation of a Comprehensive Plan
•    City of Kalama and Port of Kalama New Mixed Use Zoning District
•    The Puget Sound Regional Council and the Growing Transit Communities Partnership – Growing Transit Communities Strategy
•    City of Ellensburg Land Development Code
•    City of Redmond Central Connector Phase I


Smart Partnerships Award – Development Project to Implement a Plan
•    City of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma Interlocal Agreement for Shoreline Public Access Provision
•    King County and City of Seattle Unique Transfer of Development Right (TDR) and Local Infrastructure Funding
•    City of Renton and Renton School District Meadow Crest Early Learning Center and Meadow Crest Accessible Playground

Judges’ Merit Award
•    City of Edmonds Strategic Action Plan
•    City of Walla Walla Residential Guidelines

Other 2014 Nominees
Kitsap County Shoreline Master Program Update
City of Lacey Woodland District Strategic Plan
City of Monroe Sign Design Guidelines and Code
City of Poulsbo Zoning Ordinance
City of Olympia One-Sided Collection Program
City of Seattle Plaza Roberto Maestra

Port Transportation & Land Use at January M-I-M

Manufacturing – Industries – Maritime (M-I-M) Meeting

January 17, 2014
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
La Quinta Inn & Suites

Featuring: Port of Tacoma’s Land Use & Transportation Plans

Kell McAboy
Port of Tacoma

Ian Munce
City of Tacoma

Two major planning documents are underway, having completed their draft phases, requiring complementary and collaborative efforts by the Port of Tacoma and the City of Tacoma. These land use and transportation plans identify policies and action strategies to support capital improvements, attract private investments and encourage economic growth.

The Port of Tacoma is preparing a land use and transportation plan that will identify policies and recommendations to support capital improvements, attract private investments and encourage economic growth.

The land use and transportation plan will build on the goals and initiatives in its Strategic Plan http://www.portoftacoma.com/strategic-plan by providing information, policies and recommendations to support capital improvements, attract private investments and encourage economic growth.
The plan will be a policy-based document that identifies and prioritizes actions needed to achieve the Port's goals. It will act as a form of communication for decision makers and be designed to guide development over a 10 to 20 year planning horizon.

The area of focus for the plan is the Port of Tacoma Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC) as designated by the Puget Sound Regional Council. Here is the link to the DRAFT Plan.

The City of Tacoma enjoys the economic contributions of the Port of Tacoma.

In order to protect the unique and critical infrastructure and industrial node of our state’s intermodal ports, in 2009, the Washington State Legislature amended the Growth Management Act (GMA) to include a requirement for a Container Port Element (CPE) in the GMA Comprehensive Plan for cities that contain a marine container port with annual operating revenues in excess of $60 million.

The legislative intent is “… to ensure that local land use decisions are made in consideration of the long-term and widespread economic contribution of our international container ports and related industrial lands and transportation systems and to ensure that container ports continue to function effectively alongside vibrant city waterfronts.” RCW 36.70A.085

Accordingly, the City of Tacoma, in collaboration with the Port of Tacoma, has prepared a Container Port Element for public review. Consistent with state requirements, the element provides policy guidance to achieve the following:

•         Protection of core areas of container port and port-related industrial areas within the City

•         Efficient access to the core area through freight corridors within the city limits

•         Protection against potential land use conflicts along the edge of the core area

•         Identification of key transportation corridor improvements.

The text of the Proposed CPE, together with background information, can be found on the City Website. To access the webpage for the CPE visit the Planning Services Division’s homepage  and click on “Container Port Element”, or go directly here.

Join us and share mutual interests, discover upcoming legislative issues, increase business opportunities and build relationships with our M-I-M group.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!

Many Wins in SMP Update

 Last night the Tacoma City Council passed the Shoreline Master Program Update. The Council heard testimony from 20 persons representing Chamber leadership, businesses, labor groups and environmental groups.  Another 13 persons spoke against the Chamber’s positions.

Throughout the process leading up to the passing of SMP, the Chamber collaborated with businesses impacted by the plan, realizing the huge asset waterfront access means to industrial companies in the region.  Businesses benefited from Chamber-supported successful changes to the Draft Shoreline Master Program Update. These changes worked to ameliorate the adverse impacts that were in recommendations made by the Tacoma Planning Commission.

The Chamber worked as advocates for your businesses by calling for changes to the Draft SMP.  We’re much better off now than we might have been. We gained the following “wins” with adoption of the final plan.

The Council finally adopted action to implement Council Resolution 36702 of 2005, where they agreed to a "barrier" composed of building codes along E. D Street to serve as a deterrent to conflict between industrial development to the east and expected residential development west along the Foss shoreline.

Likewise, the Council adopted an extension of the S-10 industrial zone the full length of the E. Foss Peninsula from the tip at NuStar Terminal to the Murray Morgan Bridge, finalizing action expected from a Tacoma Comprehensive Plan Amendment in 2005.

Although the Council passed an amendment they called a compromise regarding Sperry Ocean Terminals, it appeared not to be a compromise but a spot zoning of the business’s property. 

The action to classify as "Prohibited" lay-berthing (at Sperry Ocean) in a made-up transition zone, strikes at the very essence of the business, lay-berthing of MARAD ships.  In addition to Tuesday's testimony, and many hours work over years, the Council action is possibly a "taking" of private property, jeopardizes Sperry's lease renewal with the state Dept. of Natural Resources and subjects the firm to higher operating and financing costs.

Prime (Sperry) amendment sponsors Councilmembers David Boe and Jake Fey said the recent negotiations with Sperry to develop an operational and mitigation plan could still be continued.  But, they did not say what more they expected of the business than what was already offered.

In earlier advocacy action regarding SMP, the Chamber was successful in getting the Tacoma Planning Commission:

1) to comply with Washington state constitutional and case law in limiting public access to nexus and proportionality tests,

2) to place the burden of proof on the City for claims of public access requirements

3) to continue to allow log storage in Commencement Bay

4) to include all the NuStar Terminal in the S-10 industrial zone

5) to allow existing businesses in the Foss Waterway to expand beyond their 1996 property lines

Much of the successes of the Chamber’s efforts are credited to the advocacy, attendance, testimony and letters of its members and community partners in labor and environmental groups.  Thanks to all for your commitment. 

Jobs Coalition Carries Message on Shorelines

A resoundingly successful Public Hearing on the preliminary Tacoma Shoreline Master Program Update Tuesday, September 27!

The State has mandated all jurisdictions update their Shoreline Master Program (SMP). Tacoma is in the final stages of that mandate. After the public hearing, written comments are accepted. The vote for final adoption is scheduled for November 22.

Written comments may be made to:
The Honorable Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Councilmembers
City of Tacoma
747 Market St., Ste. 1200
Tacoma, WA 98402

Tacoma uses as its zoning plan a series of numbered shoreline districts where different uses and different standards are mandated. There are several issues and preliminary recommendations (adopted by the Tacoma Planning Commission) needing opposition or support.  The Chamber, businesses, labor and environmental interests all made comments directly addressing the issues of jobs, assisting local businesses and workers.

Encapsulated observations:

No one spoke against retaining these provisions of the preliminary shorelines plan:
1. Log storage in Commencement Bay
2. NuStar all into one zone, the S-10 District
3. Allowing existing businesses in S-8 District to expand
4. Public Access requires nexus and proportionality with the burden of proof on the City

No one spoke against these changes to improve the preliminary shorelines plan:
1. S-10 District along the East Foss Peninsula to Murray Morgan Bridge
2. A barrier at E. D Street between S-8 District and M-2 zoning areas, as per earlier Council Resolution

Focus of the opposition, contrary to the best choices of keeping jobs and businesses in Tacoma:
1. Favored moving Sperry Ocean to S-6 from S-7 District, making it a non-conforming use
2. Shoreline walkway from Old Town to Foss Wty.

There were 37 people who commented in support of Chamber positions, in whole or part. There were 17 people (incl. two children), who commented exclusively on the proposal to move Sperry into the S-6 District or for a shoreline walkway from Old Town to the Foss Waterway.  A spot rezone of the Sperry Ocean property, making it a non-conforming use, will impede its ability to secure future financing, permits and leases - significantly harming that business and jeopardizing the jobs there.

Just as at the earlier public hearing before the Planning Commission, NO ONE spoke against any of the Chamber’s and businesses’ preferences in the E. Foss Peninsula (S-8 or S-10 Districts).

Public Comments on Shoreline Next Tuesday

Washington State, through its Shoreline Management Act, requires all jurisdictions to develop a plan for managing shorelines. Shorelines are the area from the waterline for 200 feet inland.

The local jurisdiction’s plan must meet certain guidelines but generally has wide latitude. The State mandates jurisdictions give equal weight to water-dependent uses, public access and no net loss of ecological function. Water-dependent uses are first priority over other water-related uses.

The State has mandated all jurisdictions update their Shoreline Master Program (SMP). Tacoma is in the final stages of that mandate. A public hearing will be held September 27, with written comments usually accepted for approximately one week after that. The vote for final adoption is scheduled for November 22.

Tacoma uses as its zoning plan a series of numbered shoreline districts where different uses and different standards are mandated. There are several issues and preliminary recommendations (adopted by the Tacoma Planning Commission) needing opposition or support.

The most critical issue is a Planning Commission recommendation to move the boundary between the S-6 District (for pedestrian and recreational use) to include lands currently in the S-7 District (for industrial and terminals use). That move will cause the Sperry Ocean Dock property, leased for MARAD ships, to become non-conforming use, subject to harmful constraints on future financing, leasing and permitting. You are urged to oppose this action and keep Sperry in the S-7 District.

The Planning Commission has also recommended changing a district boundary that presently bisects an industrial property, NuStar Terminal. The business is presently split between an S-10 District (industrial and terminal uses) and an S-8 District (mixed development). You are urged to support this recommendation to have NuStar all within one district, the S-10 District.

The Planning Commission did not change the boundary of the S-10 and S-8 Districts along the east bank of the Foss Waterway so that other industries there could be in an S-10 District. You are urged to support extending the S-10 District to the Murray Morgan (11th Street) Bridge.

The Planning Commission did recommend removing a restriction designed to force out its undesired industries along both sides of the Foss Waterway. That present restriction did not allow existing businesses to expand. The new recommendation does. You are urged to support this new regulation so existing business can expand.

You may write or comment to:

Comment:

September 27, 5:30 p.m.

Tacoma Council Chambers City of Tacoma

747 Market Street, Tacoma 98402

Write: 

Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Councilmembers

747 Market Street, Suite 1200, Tacoma, WA 98402

Email: Marilyn.Strickland@cityoftacoma.org

Public Affairs to Consider Ballot Issues

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL

Tuesday, September 20, 8:00 a.m.
Chamber offices, Simpson Community Room
950 Pacific Ave., Ste. 300, Tacoma 98402

Meeting Agenda

1. VISA REFORM
- This issue was tabled at the August 28, 2011 meeting.
- ACTION: Determine if this item should be reopened, discussion, further action.

2. INITIATIVE 1183
- “con”: John Guadnola, Protect Our Communities
- “pro”: Confirmed, Yes on 1183 Coalition
- ACTION: Determine a policy recommendation for the Chamber’s Board.

3. INITIATIVE 1125
- “con”: Confirmed, Vote No 1125
- “pro”: Invited, Voters Want More Choices
- ACTION: Determine a policy recommendation for the Chamber’s Board.

4. TACOMA SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM UPDATE
- Mike Weinman, Chamber manager for local and federal issues will update all on the current status and need for action.
- ACTION: Determine involved action needed and instigate it.

Myth-Information on Shoreline Issue

The City Council will soon consider an update to the City's Shoreline Master Program, a special zoning category of areas along the shoreline. 

One property of contention for nearby residents is the 130-year presence of industrial property currently operated by Sperry Ocean terminals. 

A lot of misinformation is repeatedly presented as facts.  Here are the facts to many of these myths.

 Myth -The Ships are derelict and foul the neighborhood.
 FACT - The vessels are owned by the U.S. Navy under contract to the Merchant Maritime Administration. They are well-maintained as part of the Ready Reserve Fleet. Emissions controls on the ships are tested annually and certified based on the testing. The ships are started 1-2 times per year. Soot from the neighborhood was tested by the City Environmental lab. The soot wasn’t produced by the sort of fuel the ships use.

 Myth – The ships can be moved to the Port of Tacoma.
 FACT – The ships are moored in natural deep water, which does not require dredging. The cost of dredging facilities in the Port waterways is too expensive to locate lay berthing facilities. They are not the “highest” use.

 Myth – Cruise ships can go there.
 FACT – The City cannot disallow a low-intensity use and put a high intensity use in its place. The Designation Criteria, Management Policies and District Intent of the S-6 do not allow for a cruise ship terminal.

 Myth – Moving Sperry Ocean Dock is consistent with the “Dome to Defiance” Plan.
 FACT – The “Dome to Defiance” Plan specifically and repeatedly recommends the Sperry Ocean Dock remain zoned for industrial deepwater moorage uses.

 Myth – There is no support for the Sperry Dock.
 FACT –The staff recommendation for Sperry Ocean was to keep it S-7. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, Port of Tacoma, Citizens for a Healthy Bay all recommend that Sperry Ocean Dock remain wholly within the S-7; BNSF Railroad commented that Sperry Ocean Dock should remain within the S-7; The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 23, Tacoma Firefighters Union, Local 31 and Tacoma Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Trainmen have commented that Sperry Ocean Dock should remain within the S-7. Why does the City propose to move Sperry into non-conformance?

 Myth – Sperry can remain operating there in a grandfathered use. It doesn’t affect the business.
 FACT – Non-conforming or “grandfathered” uses put a caution on the title, increasing interest rates and decreasing loan terms. Non-conformance complicates the DNR lease renewal process. Changing the Shoreline Designation to Urban Conservancy is effectively a spot downzone for the property.

Guest Blogger:  Matthew Boyle, Grette Assoc., LLC

Shorelines Update: Some Wins, More Battles Ahead

The Tacoma Planning Commission has approved its recommendations to the Tacoma City Council for update of the Shoreline Master Program.

Unexpectedly, the Planning Commission did recommend some of the major points advocated by the Chamber and local businesses impacted by these regulations/zoning decisions. However, this process is not over. There are gains to defend and wrongs to right.

The Gains-to-Defend included:

1. NuStar property placed all into the S-10 industrial/terminals zone

2. All industrial businesses in S-8 mixed development zone can expand beyond its present property lines.

3. Deleted requirement for an Esplanade north of E. 15th Street on the E. Foss bank.

While not entirely satisfactory, the gains are major accomplishments that must be defended. We never thought the Planning Commission would choose the Chamber's recommendations on anything!

There are still Wrongs-to-Right. State law (WAC 173-26-211(5)(d), states “Priority given first to water-dependent uses, then to water-related and water-enjoyment uses.” This mandate has not been followed.

For instance, the Planning Commission:
4. Moved the zoning district for the Sperry Ocean Terminal into S-6 (recreation and pedestrian oriented), out of S-7 (industrial and terminal uses) resulting in a non-conforming use.

5. Still has no barrier along E. D Street to separate S-8 and M-2 Districts as specified in Council Resolution No. 36702, adopted in 2005.

As always, we knew that these issues would be decided by the City Council. The Council is scheduled for a Study Session on August 30 to discuss these issues and will have a public hearing September 27 to give all citizens, business and labor representatives a final opportunity to convince them of the rightness of their positions.

If you want help on background or identifying who your Council member is representing where your business is or where you live, contact Gary Brackett, 253-682-1720 for assistance.

Chamber Advocacy for Shoreline Development and Foss Peninsula

On June 22, the City of Tacoma Council held a Joint meeting of its Economic Development and Environment & Public Works Committees. The purpose of that joint committees meeting was a briefing of the Shoreline Master Program Update.

One item addressed in that joint committees meeting was a memorandum about the City’s action to carry out the directions of City Council Resolution No. 36702. That resolution was adopted November 15, 2005 as a compromise affecting the Chamber’s sponsored land use change banning residential and hotel/motel development north of the Murray Morgan Bridge on the east shore of the Foss Waterway.

In brief, the City’s memo seeks to support the proposition that the City is compliant with the Resolution. The Chamber’s letter addressed the enumerated points of the City’s memo, concluding that the City has not complied with the Resolution.

Both are presented at these links for your evaluation.

City Memo/Resolution http://www.scribd.com/doc/59824028/Memo-Regarding-Resolution-36702

Chamber Letter http://www.scribd.com/doc/59824199/Letter-Chamber-11-07-06-Memo-City-11-06-22

The Chamber wishes the City of Tacoma to comply with Council Resolution No. 36702 as it completes the Shoreline Master Program Update, other land use planning, infrastructure and transportation development.

Shorelines and Public Access Powers

The Chamber’s Shorelines Task Force received an overview briefing about Shorelines and the Public Access powers of governments at their regular meeting Wednesday.

This presentation preceded many of these same members' firms attendance at a following Tacoma Planning Commission’s meeting where staff (planners and city attorney) were to present their response to public comments about public access across private industrial waterfront properties.

Sandy Mackie, Perkins Coie, at the behest of Chamber member Schnitzer Steel, gave an insightful presentation to attendees, then extended to the Chamber the opportunity to post that in a publicly accessible file.

Public Access across private property has become a contentious issue in Tacoma’s Shoreline Master Program Update. Water-dependent business and support industries have developed a consensus position opposing public access or paying a fee-in-lieu of maintaining safety and security of private industrial properties.  A forthcoming blog will attempt to review the City staffs’ position on this issue.

Shoreline Update: Now for the Hard Stuff

The Tacoma Planning Commission held their first session focused on responding to public comments about the preliminary draft Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Update Wednesday night.

On the agenda: marine buffers and exemptions.

Staff explained that the complexity of the proposed SMP Update partially occurs because of the attempt to integrate the existing Critical Areas Protection Ordinance (CAPO) and the Shoreline Master Program. This complexity is especially relevant in the issue of marine buffers. The Chamber expects more discussion of this issue. Commissioners were very interested in understanding where the proposals go beyond CAPO or SMP into new or amended regulation.

In the presentation about exemptions, staff acknowledged there is a problem as written to understand how exemptions would be handled. Among proposed fixes to this issue are: decoupling exemption from the Shoreline Substantial Development Permit requirements, standardization of forms, use of existing studies for documentation and a quest for other suggestions, especially from the Port of Tacoma.

More follow-on meetings to examine responses and input from Commissioners are expected to address the myriad issues in the proposed SMP Update.

The Chamber shared with Planning Commissioners its objectives for these issues, including many more still to be examined, in a letter and attached “track changes/red line” version of the preliminary draft. The letter is here and the changes version is here.

Chamber Comments on New Shoreline Draft

Shorelines Task Force Reviews Latest Draft

The Chamber's Shorelines Task Force met today discussing the preliminary draft of the City of Tacoma's Shoreline Master Plan Update.

The morning's work is preparatory to submittal of comments both by the Chamber and the involved businesses as well as backgrounding for future workshops.  The next two public workshops are scheduled:

Wed., Oct. 20, Urban Waters, 5:00 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 27, Urban Waters, 5:00 p.m.

The discussion was lead by Dale Yeager, Yeager Assoc., Land Use & Consulting, who has contributed expertise before to the task force members evaluating the developmental phases of Tacoma SMP Update.  More photos here.

Yeager's lead took members through three aspects of Tacoma's SMP Update: 

1. fee in lieu for public access proposed requirements
2. intent language for various shoreline districts
3. uses chart summarizing permitted and non-permitted uses in various districts

After a discussion of these issues, members were advised to consider the process for exemption of shoreline regulations as a new proposed exemption process would require the same $s, time, talent and labor as a permit itself.

Written public comments are due to the Tacoma for an upcoming report to the Tacoma Planning Commission Nov. 3. 

Overview of the Preliminary Draft: Tacoma Shoreline Master Plan Update

Chamber member and volunteer Dale Yeager, Principal, Yeager Associates, Land Use & Planning, will share her professional expertise with all Shorelines Task Force members about the new preliminary draft Shoreline Master Plan for Tacoma.

Yeager is expected to address: what's there we asked for, what's there we asked not to be, and what's there unanticipated.

This is preparatory for informational purposes before the expected Public Meeting, Nov. 3rd by the City of Tacoma Planning Commission.

Members are encouraged to continue their own "read" of the preliminary draft. Come with your own comments and questions!

When: Monday, October 18 at 10:00am
Where: Simpson Community Room located at the Chamber Office, 950 Pacific Ave., Suite 300, Tacoma, WA, 98402
Register for this complimentary event here.

Shoreline Update Update

Community action - especially input from affected shoreline businesses and associated industry - is having an effect on Tacoma's Shoreline Update.

Last week, Tacoma Planner Stephen Atkinson met again with the Chamber's Shorelines Task Force to discuss newer aspects of a draft Update, revised given community input.  Once scheduled for release in November, the preliminary draft is now targeted for release as early as this week, or following the next Tacoma Planning Commission meeting.  Look for notices (and the Chamber will post the link when available).

There was a robust discussion among members and Atkinson as to what to expect.  Atkinson did ask that we all read the new draft when it comes out as he said the City has worked to be responsive to community input on issues and technical corrections. 

Nonetheless, expect an inclusion of a more enhance public access implementation policy.  Several members asked Atkinson as to the Washington Department of Ecology's (DOE) requirement for increased public access, given the miles of publicly accessible shoreline Tacoma now has?  It is safe to say that the City feels a need to enhance public access given DOE direction, even if that direction may be more applicable to other jurisdictions. 

For now, expect the public process to continue until April 2011, until final action by the Tacoma City Council, and submittal to DOE for its acceptance review process.

New Port Element in Tacoma's Comp Plan

Thursday marked the initial public outreach to businesses in the port-industrial area as Tacoma prepared its planning compliance with a new state mandate.

The briefing, presented to a mostly-full room at the Fabulich Center by Tacoma, Port of Tacoma and consultants, most immediately sought input on the proposed study area and identifying freight corridors.

Among comments voiced generally or around the displays (repeated in the PowerPoint) were:

• The Study Area should include the grain terminal, rail yard and Sperry Ocean
• The Study Area should include anchorages
• The E. Foss Peninsula (as acknowledged) has freight corridor and local area infrastructure needs

Stressed during the give and take of questions was that this process is different from the contemporary Shoreline Update by Tacoma.  The Shoreline Update effects an area from the ordinary high water mark for 200 feet inland.  This New Port Element effects a defined core area of the port industrial area and related industrial uses.  Both will be added to Tacoma's Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

Also noted was that coordination is underway with Fife and the Puyallup Tribe. 

For more information and contact, email Ian Munce (City) or 253-573-2478 and Kell McAboy (Port) or 253-592-6217.

Tacoma Joint Committees Go at Shoreline Again

Please find available for your information, a letter/report from Ryan Petty, Director, Community & Economic Development Dept. to Eric Anderson, City Manager, City of Tacoma, dated June 3, 2010. This letter/report addresses many of the issues raised in the Council's Committee of the Whole on May 18.

Of particular interest, given just a quick read, are these issues:

1. Sufficiency of timeline to include other issues (Foss Transportation Plan, Foss Vision Plan)
2. DOE issues
3. Alteration of SMP District boundaries
4. Appendix C: Proposed Environment Designations (NEW)

This report is from page 40 to page 83 in the City Manager's report to the Council. You may access just the letter (7 ppg.) and Appendixes A-D (15 ppg.) as well as Appendix E: Shoreline Master Program Submittal Checklist, (22 ppg.) can be downloaded from the City site.

FYI, in brief, the Council Joint Economic Development and Environment & Public Works Committee meeting of June 9, 2010, covered many of these same issues as detailed in this letter/report and appendixes. Of particular note was the Council's interest in a Foss visioning process/plan (and availability of time).

Shorelines Update Before Joint Committees

Business and industry turned out aplenty for a joint Tacoma City Council committees (Economic Development and Environment & Public Works) meeting about the update of Tacoma’s Shoreline Master Program.

Spokesperson for the Chamber, its Chairman Toby Murray, comments here, outlined the objectives of the Chamber in the retention, expansion and diversification of businesses and industries in our community. He was joined in a small group presentation by individual businesses and organizations who expressed their specific variety of concerns and/or a preference for a collaborative and comprehensive approach to the shorelines update process.

Numerous speakers joined in the opportunity for speaking to Tacoma Councilmembers who comprise their committees, including representatives for the Foss Waterway Business Group, the Port of Tacoma and additional businesses and industries. The audio will be posted on this webpage 24 hours after the joint committees meeting (April 28, ending about 6:45 p.m.).

DOE's Role in Shorelines Update

Kim Van Zwalenburg, Shoreline Planner, Southwest Regional Office, Washington Department of Ecology, shared with attendees at yesterday’s Shorelines Task Force meeting explanations of the origins of the Shorelines Management Plan and the current process for local jurisdictions update of their Shorelines Master Program. She was very responsive to questions, which took most of the time at the meeting.

Some notes made of responses for the questions posed:

1. DOE considers itself a partner with local jurisdictions (and is reluctant to do anything without that partner’s participation).

2. Impression that DOE’s role as approving local jurisdiction’s plans is much less than that of an enforcer and more that of a partner.

3. This update is the mechanism that will mesh the Growth Management Act’s obligations to jurisdictions and the Shoreline Management Plan requirements.

4. There is no prescribed balance between water-dependent users (like businesses), environmental protection (excepting “no-net-loss”) and public access.

5. There is no defined upper or lower limit to the amount of “public access” nor any requirement for maintenance of public access properties. No min. No max.

6. DOE is trying to get away from inaccessible public access projects.

7. Public access requirements for private property has been part of the SMP since its adoption in 1972.

8. Public access obligations are incurred when development impacts the public trust (environment).

9. Safety and security are absolutely recognized as making site specific public access inappropriate, but it does not relieve the public access burden.

10. Proximity to shoreline is relevant for public access projects/sites.

11. Designation of public access at private/non-profit sites would need to assure that pubic access.

12. There has not yet been in her experience a quantification of “fee-in-lieu” provisions for public access mitigation.

UPDATE (May 22, 2010):  Ms. Van Zwalenburg had mentioned that the DOE was updating its master Shoreline regulations.  And, she said that the proposed changes were not impactful on the present Tacoma Shoreline Update process.  The public comment period for the DOE's update is now open until June 5. 

Council Study Session on Shorelines Sparks Action

We offer our kudos to the Tacoma City Council for stepping out to get a handle on the development of the Shorelines Update now underway.

The Shorelines Update of the City Shorelines Master Program, is a state-required process.  The City of Tacoma must comply by the end of 2011, but is following an expeditious process to finish by the end of this year.

Deputy Mayor Jake Fey, representing District 2 which includes the port-industrial area and the industrial Shoreline Districts numbered S-7, S-8 and S-10, invited the Council's Economic Development Committee to a joint meeting with the Council's Environmental and Public Works Committee, which he chairs.

Economic Development Committee Chair, Councilmember Spiro Manthou, readily agreed to a future joint meeting, and strongly suggested that the City hold off issuing a draft Shorelines Update until after that meeting has occured.

If you're interested or impacted by the City's Shorelines Update (within 200 feet of the water), contact Gary Brackett or 253-627-2175 to get informed and involved.