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Home In Tacoma Project: AHAS Planning Actions

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City Council Review

On July 13, 2021, the City Council held a public hearing on the Planning Commission's Home In Tacoma Project recommendations. A total of 93 people made oral comments and 438 submitted written comments. A video of the public hearing is posted at City of Tacoma - Calendar (legistar.com). 

 

The City Council will discuss next steps for the project at their upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 3 PM.

 

Here's how to learn more and comment on the proposals: 

 

What's the Home In Tacoma Project? 

Home In Tacoma Project Intro Video

 

 

Information Meetings

 

TOPIC: Overview and focus on proposed Low-scale Residential

 

  

Info Meeting 07-06-21 Full text of Q & A 

 

TOPIC: Overview and focus on proposed Mid-scale Residential
 

  

Home In Tacoma Info Meeting 07-08-21 Presentation  

Info Meeting 07-08-21 Full text of Q & A 

 

Planning Commission Recommendations

On May 19, 2021, the Planning Commission finalized their Home In Tacoma Project recommendations, as directed by the City Council. The recommendations would change Tacoma housing growth strategy to support more housing supply, choice and affordability. If this housing growth vision is adopted by the City Council, the City would begin a community dialogue on how to implement the vision through zoning, standards and other actions. 

 

Recommendations Package

To review the planning and engagement process, see the Planning Commission button below. 

 

SEPA Review 

On June 15, 2021 the City SEPA Official issued a revised environmental determination regarding the Home In Tacoma Project recommendations. The revised Mitigated Determination of Environmental Nonsignificance (MDNS) reflects changes that the Planning Commission made to their preliminary recommendations to address issues from the public hearing process, including strengthened policy commitments to address potential growth impacts. The revised MDNS includes several new required mitigation actions associated with the implementation phase of this project. 

Next Steps 

At their June 8, 2021 study session, the City Council set a tentative review schedule and process for their consideration of the Home In Tacoma Project recommendations, including the following key dates (subject to change):

  • June to July 2021: Notification and engagement
  • July 6 and 8, 2021: Information Meetings  
  • July 13, 2021: City Council Public Hearing
  • July 20, 2021: City Council Committee of the Whole
  • July to September, 2021: City Council committee review (Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability Committee, Committee of the Whole)
  • Fall 2021: City Council action 

 

Ways to Participate

The City is having a discussion about housing needs, development trends and neighborhood change. Using community ideas and feedback the City Council is considering changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulatory Code.

 

Home In Tacoma Project Interactive Website 

 

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Check back regularly to learn of upcoming meetings and events. Contact staff to request a meeting or with any questions.

  • Information Meeting: July 6, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Information Meeting: July 8, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. 
  • Housing Equity Taskforce: July 8, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. 
  • City Council Public Hearing: July 13, 2021 no earlier than 5:15 p.m.
  • City Council Committee of the Whole: July 20, 2021

Home In Tacoma Project proposals

Help shape the future of housing in Tacoma by commenting on the following proposed actions:

  • Allow more housing types throughout Tacoma's neighborhoods, such as duplexes, triplexes, cottage housing, and in some cases fourplexes and small multifamily housing
  • Allow mid-scale multifamily housing in areas close to shopping and transit
  • Update design standards so new housing complements the neighborhood
  • Strengthen policies and programs to make housing more affordable
  • Strengthen anti-racism and anti-displacement policies and programs    

The Home In Tacoma Project package includes Comprehensive Plan updates, near-term code updates, an environmental review of potential growth impacts, and a Housing Action Plan to guide implementation over time. 

 

 

Planning Process 

Tacoma's Planning Commission and Housing Equity Taskforce are important partnerships for addressing affordable housing needs in Tacoma. Their work helps inform policy through engagement, research and review.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is a volunteer advisory group that makes recommendations to the City Council on planning matters.

On May 19, 2021, the Planning Commission forwarded their Home In Tacoma Project recommendations to the City Council (posted above on this web page).

On February 17, 2021, the Commission preliminary recommendations for public review and comment:

 

Housing Equity Taskforce Recommendations

Staff Report

Proposed Comprehensive Plan changes

Proposed Near-term Code changes

Housing Action Plan

Existing Conditions Report

 

On May 6, 2020, the Planning Commission finalized the project scope of work, based on input from the community.

 

Home In Tacoma Project Scoping Report

 

Planning Commission documents:   

Housing Equity Taskforce

The Planning Commission and the Human Rights Commission have joined to form the Housing Equity Taskforce (HET) to provide focused input on equity and social justice considerations associated with housing. 

 

Public Meetings 

The HET meets monthly on the second Thursday of each month at 11:30 AM. Meetings are open to the public.

 

Here's how to virtually attend:

July 8, 2021

HET Meeting Packet

 

June 10, 2021

HET Meeting Packet 

Meeting cancelled due to schedule challenges

May 13, 2021

HET Meeting Packet 

 

April 8, 2021 Meeting

HET Meeting Packet 

The HET did not hold an official meeting due to technical issues

 

March 18, 2021 Meeting

No formal meeting packet

 

February 4, 2021 Meeting

HET Meeting Packet

 

January 7, 2021 Meeting

HET Meeting Packet 

 

December 3, 2020 Meeting

HET Meeting Packet

Mentimeter Exercise

 

November 5, 2020 Meeting

HET Meeting Packet 

Presentation

Audio Recording

 

October 8, 2020 Meeting 

HET Meeting Packet 

Presentation 

Audio Recording 

 

September 10, 2020 Meeting 

The Taskforce held its first meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2020, from 1 to 2:30 PM. At this meeting, the HET discussed the process, schedule and scope of work moving forward.

HET Meeting Packet

Presentation

Audio Recording

 

 

Virtual Home In Tacoma Café Series on Zoom

The City hosted a virtual Home In Tacoma Café Series on Zoom  with three panel discussions to provide an a platform to explore the barriers and opportunities to housing in Tacoma.

 

Past Conversations: 

Tacoma's Housing Crisis - December 18, 2020

Part 1

 

The City's Role in Creating Housing on January 8, 2021

Part 2

 

Getting Housing Growth Right for Tacoma on January 29, 2021 

Part 3

 

En Espagnol

Parte 1

 

Parte 2

 

Parte 3

 

Housing Choices Survey

The City received 870 responses to the survey, providing valuable insights into community perspectives on housing choices. To learn more:

Housing Choices Survey Analysis DRAFT



Past Meeting and Events

  • South End Neighborhood Council: May 3, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. 
  • North End Neighborhood Council: April 5, 2021 starting at 6:00 p.m.
  • Northeast Tacoma Neighborhood Council Executive Session: April 1, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
  • AHAS Technical Advisory Group: March 31, 2021 at 12:30 p.m.
  • Hilltop Action Coalition: March 29, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
  • City Council Study Session: March 23, 2021 starting at noon 
  • Landmarks Preservation Commission: March 24, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Information Session: March 18, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.  
  • Eastside Neighborhood Council: March 15, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Tacoma Permit Advisory Taskforce: March 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.
  • Central Tacoma Neighborhood Council: March 4, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. 
  • Community Council of Tacoma: February 25, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. 
  • Landmarks Preservation Commission: January 27, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. 
  • Housing Equity Taskforce: Monthly - meeting date and time will be set soon (see HET section for meeting info)
  • North End Neighborhood Council: January 4, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Transportation Commission: December 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Commission on Disabilities: December 11, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs: December 9, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Sustainable Tacoma Commission: November 19, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
  • City Council Study Session: November 10, 2020 at noon

Resource Library

Many communities, including Tacoma, are working on addressing housing challenges now. Here are resources to inform Tacoma's efforts.

 

Affordable Housing Planning Resources (WA Dept. of Commerce)

Housing Action Plan Grant Agreement

How We Got Here: A Reckoning With U.S. and Tacoma History

Tacoma Civil Rights Project: Remembering Our Past, Reshaping Our Destiny

Creating the Healthiest Nation: Health and Housing Equity

Puget Sound Regional Council Vision 2050 - Housing Chapter (draft)

PSRC Housing Innovations Program

Inclusionary Upzoning: Tying Growth to Affordability (Robert Hickey 2014)

Missing Middle Housing (Opticos Design) 

 

Missing Middle Housing Diagram

 

“Missing Middle is a range of multi-unit or clustered housing types compatible in scale with single-family homes that help meet the growing demand for walkable urban living.”www.missingmiddlehousing.com

 

 

 

Keep in Touch

Sign up to receive project updates or email comments and questions to:planning@cityoftacoma.org

 

Learn More About Our Efforts on Affordable Housing