Latest Updates
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this process – attending meetings, reviewing documents, providing comments, and working towards a vibrant future for our waterfront. We look forward to continuing this good work as we look towards implementing the policies and development regulations of the Master Program.
On October 15, the City’s updated Shoreline Master Program takes effect. On October 1, 2013 the Department of Ecology issued Final Approval of the City of Tacoma Shoreline Master Program, accepting the City's alternative intent statement for the S-6/7 Schuster Parkway Transition Shoreline District as proposed in Resolution 38734. The SMP takes effect 14 days from Ecology’s final action. The Tacoma City Council ratified the agreement with Ecology with the approval of Ordinance 28180.
Ordinance 28180
Exhibit A: Shoreline Master Program
Exhibit B: Shoreline District Zoning
Exhibit C: TMC 13.05 Land Use Permit Procedures
Exhibit D: TMC 13.06 Zoning
Exhibit E: TMC 13.11 Critical Areas Preservation
Ecology's Notice of Final Action
Resolution 38734
Exhibit A: Proposed Alternative
Conditional Approval
On August 19, 2013, the State Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued a conditional approval of the City's Comprehensive Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The Ecology's letter includes three attachments called, Findings and Conclusions, Required Changes, and Recommended Changes.
In accordance with the State's guidelines, the City has 30 days to formally accept, reject or propose alternatives to the Ecology’s conditions. This places the deadline at September 18, 2013. The City will keep stakeholders informed of and engaged in the process of formulating our response.
Community Meetings
To learn more, please join us at a public meeting on Thursday, September 5, 2013, at 6 PM, in Room 708, Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street.
Posted below are the tentative schedules for the City Council's actions, the letter from Ecology, and a link to Ecology's website:
Shoreline Master Program - Locally Approved
On November 29, 2011 the Tacoma City Council adopted an update of the Tacoma Shoreline Master Program (SMP), including the Shoreline Restoration Plan, Public Access Alternatives Plan, and Thea Foss Waterway Design Guidelines. The SMP provides goals, policies, and development regulations for all shoreline areas within the City, including Commencement Bay and its waterways, the Tacoma Narrows, and Wapato Lake.
The Locally Approved SMP along with the Council ordinance and resolutions and relevant information were subsequently submitted to Ecology, which issued a finding of a complete submittal and set a 45-day public comment period between April 23 and June 7, 2012, during which time 34 comment letters and emails were received by Ecology.
The Locally Approved Shoreline Master Program documents are available below:
Background
In 2003 the Department of Ecology issued new guidelines to assist local governments in meeting the State requirement to conduct a comprehensive review and amendment of the Master Program for Shoreline Development. The guidelines outline procedural steps and substantive requirements that must be met. Tacoma's update to its Shoreline Master Program is an extensive overhaul of the program requiring the City to re-evaluate all shoreline policies, designations and regulations and must be based upon scientific and technical information to assure no net loss of shoreline ecological functions while providing for appropriate uses within shoreline areas.
The Tacoma Shoreline Master Program includes goals, policies and development regulations for all shoreline areas including Commencement Bay and its waterways, the Tacoma Narrows, and Wapato Lake.
Existing Shoreline Plans
State Shoreline Management Documents
Additional Resources
Staff Contact