Part A - Latest News (October 2022 Update) 

As shown in the map, the Manitou Potential Annexation Area is an unincorporated Pierce County "island" located near 66th Street W. and Lakewood Drive W., surrounded by the cities of Tacoma and University Place. 

As indicated in the Letter to Stakeholders (October 20, 2022), we are anticipating the Manitou Area's annexation to the City of Tacoma to become effective in spring-summer 2023 (specific date to be determined).  Shown below are the next steps, subject to change:

1. County-City Negotiations of Service Transitions (fall 2022 - winter 2023)
2. City Council Approval of Service Transitions Agreements (winter-spring 2023)
3. City Council Adoption of Annexation Ordinance to Set Annexation Effective Date (winter-spring 2023)
4. Annexation Effective (spring-summer 2023)

Part B - Recent Accomplishments (during 2021-2022)

ILA and MOU

In late 2021, Pierce County and the City of Tacoma entered into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA), which included a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), as posted below. The ILA indicates that the County and the City are committed to making the annexation happen. The MOU is to ensure the transition of governmental services from the County to the City is carried out effectively when the annexation happens.   

• County-City ILA/MOU - Manitou Annexation (12-16-21) 

Additional Materials 

Posted below for your information are some documents and materials associated with recent activities and efforts in the Manitou annexation during 2021-2022:

• Updated Proposed Land Use and Zoning for Manitou Area (Ord. 28821, Exhibit B, 6-28-22) 
• Manitou Annexation Update (Letter to Stakeholders, 5-25-22)
• Manitou Annexation Update (Letter to Stakeholders, 3-24-22)
• Manitou Community Meeting Presentation (6-30-21) 
• Manitou Community Meeting Recording (6-30-21)  

Part C - Past Accomplishments (during 2018-2019)

Initial Establishment of Zoning (September 2019)

On September 24, 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 28609 concerning the Proposed Zoning for the Manitou Area, as posted below (which was later modified by Ordinance No. 28821, adopted on June 28, 2022): 

• Proposed Land Use and Zoning for Manitou Area (Ord. 28609, 9-24-19)

Manitou Walk-About (April 2019)

Staff conducted a community meeting ("Manitou Walk-About") on April 26, 2019, to inform interested parties of the Planning Commission's review of the Manitou Proposed Zoning. The review had subsequently led to the City Council's adoption of Ordinance No. 28609. 

• Notice of Manitou Walk-about (4-11-19) 

Initiation of Annexation Planning (September-October 2018)

The City Council adopted a resolution on October 30, 2018, corresponding to the resolution adopted by the Pierce County Council on September 4, 2018, to initiate the annexation planning process and the negotiation of an interlocal agreement, pursuant to RCW 35.13.470: 

• City Council Initiating Annexation Process (Res. 40150, 10-30-18)
• Pierce County Council Initiating Annexation Process (Res. 2018-97, 9-4-18) 

Planning Commission Reviews (July 2018 - February 2019)

To formulate its recommendations on Manitou Area land use to the City Council, the Planning Commission conducted several reviews of the subject.  If you are interested in the Commission's thought process, please visit the Planning Commission webpage, and find the agenda packets for the following meetings: July 18, 2018, November 7, 2018, and February 6, 2019.  

Community Meetings (May and December 2018)

County and City staff conducted two early-stage, pre-annexation community meetings in 2018 to inform and engage the neighborhood and stakeholders.  Posted below are some relevant documents:

• Manitou Annexation Community Comments and Responses (updated 1-31-19)  
• Manitou Annexation Community Meeting - Presentation (12-10-18)
• Manitou Annexation Community Meeting - Notice (for 12-10-18)
• Manitou Annexation Community Meeting - Presentation (5-14-18)
• Manitou Annexation Community Meeting - Notice (4-27-18) 

Part D - Background  

The Manitou Area is a 37-acre unincorporated Pierce County area located on the southwest corner of the City, near Lakewood Drive W. and 66th Street W.  The area abuts the City of Tacoma on the east, south and west sides, and the City of University Place on the north side.  

As one of the unincorporated “islands” in Pierce County, future annexation of the Manitou Area to the City of Tacoma is expected by the State Growth Management Act (GMA) and considered a high priority in regional planning policies.  This is also one of the City’s designated Urban Growth Areas (UGAs), effectively the Potential Annexation Areas (PAAs), as set forth in the One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan, pursuant to GMA. 

A basic premise of the GMA is that denser urban development should be supported by urban services, such as roads, transit, sidewalks, water, sewer, parks, and libraries, and should be located in cities to ensure the most efficient provision of service.

• Manitou Area Map 
• Manitou Annexation Fact Sheet (as of 7-2-21) 
• Annexations (City's website)
• Annexation (Pierce County's website)
• Annexation Tip Sheet (by City of Tacoma)
• Annexation Handbook (by Municipal Research and Services Center)

Part E - Staff Contact

Lihuang Wung, Senior Planner, Email Lihuang