Background
Design review with a set of design standards or guidelines has proven to be an effective community development tool. The City of Tacoma understands the role of design review in community building: throughout the One Tacoma Plan and Tacoma 2025, policy guidance highlights design review as opportunity to create unique places, promote innovation and quality, and imbue public space with features and amenities that promote the health and vitality of residents and visitors.
In 2016, the City contracted with Makers Architecture and Urban Design to examine a number of “design review” options that Tacoma could undertake. The analysis is based on Tacoma’s current regulatory framework, recent development trends, comments from stakeholders (including staff, public officials, architects and others from the development industry, and other community members), and a review of other communities’ design review programs.
This Design Review Analysis Manual is organized into six sections to consider and discuss fundamental questions that must be considered in establishing a design review process:
- Design guidelines content, organization and format;
- Applicability: What projects must undergo design review;
- Project review responsibilities: Who conducts the design review for different types of projects;
- Public involvement: Opportunities for citizen review and input;
- Design Review Board (DRB) review process and procedures (if a DRB is established);
- Design review program administration costs.
Review the full Design Review Analysis Manual for the report and background information.
Project Development
Project Advisory Group
The Design Review Project Advisory Group was chartered by the Planning Commission in 2019 and reconvened in early 2022 with new Urban Design Studio staff. The PAG was the primary source of stakeholder co-creation in the development of the preliminary draft Urban Design Project Review proposal. Group participation included those representing design professionals, community nonprofits, and affordable housing and for-profit developers.
Urban Design Open House and Survey
Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to the Urban Design Review survey that was done August-September 2022. The feedback received was instrumental in the development of the draft project proposal.
2024
The Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability (IPS) Committee of the City Council voted to recommend the Urban Design Project Review proposal to the full City Council for a Public Hearing and consideration on February 28, 2024. The Committee did not make any changes to the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
The City Council conducted a public hearing on the proposed creation of the Urban Design Project Review permit proposal and associated amendments to Title 13 of the Tacoma Municipal Code on April 23, 2024. The first and final readings of the adopting ordinance took place on April 30th and May 7th, respectively.
2023
Over the year, City staff worked with the Project Advisory Group (PAG), with periodic guidance from Planning Commission, and the City Council Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability Committee, to develop the draft Urban Design Project Review program proposal.
The program proposal includes Urban Design Project Review requirements and procedures, program administration, and the establishment of an Urban Design Board. The proposal package also includes a series of Code amendments to development and design standards for Mixed Use Centers and Downtown districts.
The Planning Commission recommended the proposal to City Council on October 18, 2023.
2022
The Urban Design Studio staff re-established relationships on Design Review with a Project Advisory Group, Planning Commission and City Council. Work continued with input from diverse city staff perspectives to refine and complete the draft design guidance documents, including an emphasis on addressing the City’s adopted Climate Adaptation Strategy.
2021
Staff worked briefly with Consultant and Project Advisory Group to further develop draft design guidance documents in the first part of the year. Planning Commission and Infrastructure Planning and Sustainability Committee of the City Council reviewed progress on incomplete, draft guidance documents. Project went on hold with loss of initial staff. In late 2021, new lead staff came on board.
2020
Project team worked with advisory groups (Project Advisory Group, TAC, Planning Commission), resulting in an Interim Summary Report (available for review below in the documents section). It provides the findings from Phase I of the program development and the background information that informed the remaining development through to implementation.
2019
Consultants were brought on to develop a work plan and initiate the program development. Staff worked with stakeholder committees and conducted public outreach in the summer and fall.
2018
Staff was hired to bring additional expertise to the project.
2017
Project budget was approved by the City Council.
2016
The Design Review Analysis Manual was completed to identify the key components and options for a design review program.