FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 24, 2017

MEDIA CONTACT

Brad Forbes, Office of Deputy Mayor Robert Thoms, bforbes@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5166

Comment Period on Proposed Surface Mining Project Extended to March 3 

Following a recent public meeting regarding the proposed sand and gravel mine on Marine View Drive, the City of Tacoma’s Planning and Development Services Department announced today that the public comment period will be extended to Friday, March 3.

"We received many useful comments at the public meeting, all of which will be responded to as the permit review proceeds," said Planning Manager Jana Magoon. "One thing that was very clear is that the neighborhood is concerned about potential noise impacts of the proposal."

A noise study has been requested from the project applicant. The City expects to receive the study by Thursday, Feb. 16. If the noise study cannot be published by this date, the comment period will be extended again to allow at least two weeks for public review of noise impacts.

“Requiring a noise study was a top priority of my neighbors in Northeast Tacoma, and I look forward to learning the results and what mitigations can be taken to protect our resident’s quality of life,” said Deputy Mayor Robert Thoms, who represents Northeast Tacoma. 

After staff has reviewed the information gathered, and made a preliminary determination of potential impacts to the community, the City may elect to place additional conditions or restrictions above and beyond existing regulation. Currently, the City is projected to make a decision on this project by the end of April 2017.

Comments can be submitted to Principal Planner Shirley Schultz at shirley.schultz@cityoftacoma.org. For more information, visit cityoftacoma.org/SurfaceMining or call (253) 591-5121.

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