The Urban Design Studio is a long-term program with a focus on delivering urban design services to customers in the Planning and Development Services Department, to other City departments, and through external public and private partnerships. The initial phase of this project was focused on the development of a design review program known as Urban Design Project Review. This effort included development of design guidelines, new and revised design standards, municipal code amendments and administrative procedures.
Urban Design Project Review -- Overview
Adopted by City Council on May 7, 2024, the Urban Design Project Review package created a new land use permit process that incorporates the consideration of a project’s relationship with the urban environment, the public realm, connectivity, climate responsiveness, and other urban design concerns. The UDPR package included the following:
- Permits will be required for larger developments located within any of the City’s 16 designated Mixed-Use Centers (see map below).
- The largest developments will be subject to the highest level of review (through a new, Council-appointed Urban Design Board) while smaller projects will receive administrative review.
- Building size thresholds within Neighborhood Centers are lower than those of the other Mixed-Use Centers (Downtown, Tacoma Mall and Crossroads Centers).
- All levels of review will include public notice and opportunities for comment. Board-level reviews will include one public meeting at the Concept Design stage.
- NOTE: The areas where this Urban Design Project Review will be required are not those subject to the changes being made with the Home in Tacoma project.
The Urban Design Project Review program requirements will go into effect January 1, 2025. Through the remainder of 2024, staff will be preparing the program’s launch, including stakeholder outreach and supporting recruitment of the new Urban Design Board. If you have any questions about the program, including serving on the Urban Design Board, please reach out to Urban Design Studio staff.
Public Review Timeline and Current Status
Completed Reviews:
- May 7, 2024: Regular Meeting - Final reading of ordinance. Proposal adopted.
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April 30, 2024: Regular Meeting - First reading of ordinance.
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April 30, 2024: Study Session - City Council reviewed comments received at the Public Hearing.
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April 23, 2024: 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. Notice of the Council’s Public Hearing was distributed by US Mail to all property owners and occupants in the applicable locations (see applicability map above) in advance of the Public Hearing.
- February 28, 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. The Committee did not make any changes to the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
- October 18, 2023: The Planning Commission voted to recommend the Urban Design Project Review proposal to the City Council.
All previous meetings, including City Council Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee and Planning Commission public review meetings, are outlined under the Past Meetings section below.
Urban Design Project Review - More Package Details
The City’s Urban Design Studio team is excited for the launch the Urban Design Project Review Program. Similar to many other communities’ programs, Urban Design Project Review in Tacoma sets standards and a process to guide the design quality of the city’s landscape and buildings. The incorporation of “urban design” in the program’s title emphasizes the scope and scale of the program’s priorities, and differentiate it from a design review program that is focused primarily on building architecture. The goal is to support a built city that is welcoming to all community members and visitors, enhancing our lived experience throughout Tacoma.
Throughout the One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan and Tacoma 2025 Strategic Plan documents, the policy guidance points to design review as an opportunity to create unique places, promote innovation and quality, and imbue public space with features and amenities that promote the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors.
Before the adoption of the Urban Design Project Review program, the City only regulated the design of new projects through prescriptive Code standards with building permits and without qualitative review. These requirements vary by zoning and building type, but are fairly inflexible and do not always reflect the best approach to urban design challenges or support creativity. Now, the Urban Design Project Review program will provide an opportunity to find the best way a development project can achieve community urban design goals given its unique context. This includes how required standards are applied, as well as exploring thoughtful, more creative solutions.
The Urban Design Project Review package included:
- Creation of a new Urban Design Project Review permit process focused on medium- to large-scale projects in Downtown and Mixed-Use Center (see map and description below for more info)
- Creation of a City-Council appointed Urban Design Board, with a mix of professional experience, community interests related to urban design, and geographic diversity, to assist in review of the largest, most significant projects
- Creation of an Urban Design Project Review Manual to provide clear and objective design guidance for new projects
- Modifications to some of the existing Code standards (see further description below).
Amend Existing Design Code Standards
The Urban Design Project Review package amended certain development and design standards within Mixed Use districts and the Downtown Zoning District to improve effectiveness and ensure integration with the new design review process requirements. This includes:
- Maximum setbacks: Establish maximum setbacks for residential development within Mixed Use Center (X) districts and establish maximum setbacks for all Downtown districts.
- Residential yard space requirements: Revise yard space requirements overall and amend exception/reduction qualifications.
- Mixed Use District building standards: Reorganize existing standards to better align with Urban Design program priorities and revise standards to improve efficacy. New provisions include residential transition standards.
- Downtown District Building Standards: Reorganize existing standards to better align with Urban Design program priorities and revise standards to improve efficacy. New provisions include residential transition standards, mass reduction standards for certain developments, and transparency standards.
These code amendments will go into effect June 6, 2024.
Supporting Documents
Note: City Council did not make any amendments to the IPS recommendation.
Want more info?
Urban Design Studio staff welcome invitations from community groups who are interested in hosting a virtual conversation on the Urban Design Project Review program.
Sign up to receive project updates or email comments and questions to: designreview@cityoftacoma.org