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.