Planning Commission to Consider the City’s Proposed Urban Design
Project Review Permit Process and Regulatory Code Amendments at August 16 Public Hearing

TACOMA, Wash. -- On August 16 at 6 PM, the Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider the City of Tacoma’s proposal to establish an urban design project review permit program for development within the downtown and mixed-use centers.

Through the proposed program, the City seeks to provide a community-informed review process that is efficient, collaborative, and supports a livable and resilient urban environment using a set of urban design guidelines. Projects that exceed the building size threshold for their location would be subject to review by a City Council-appointed Urban Design Board, while smaller projects would receive administrative review. Additionally, amendments would be proposed around Tacoma Municipal Code requirements for site development and building design within Tacoma’s mixed-use and downtown zoning districts.

The August 16 public hearing will be conducted in a hybrid format with virtual and in-person options to attend. Community members can share their comments at the August 16 public hearing, or email written comments any time before 5 PM on August 18 to planning@cityoftacoma.org.

In advance of the August 16 public hearing, the City will also host a virtual information session on August 9 at 6 PM for community members interested in learning more about the City’s ongoing efforts to improve the way it serves its customers in the area of urban design.

More information on the City’s proposal – as well as access details for the August 9 virtual information session and the August 16 public hearing – will be posted at cityoftacoma.org/urbandesign when available.

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