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Wed. June 6, 2007, 01:44pm PDT
City publishes mixed use center recommendations
The City of Tacoma published a draft of their mixed use center analysis and recommendations. They took at look at a couple dozen locations around the city. Recommendations include implementing city-wide impact fees that would be waived for mixed used centers, clearing the way for more higher density development opportunities, and removing the parking requirement for condos and rental units. They're also recommending transit improvements like a flex car program, bikestations, and ride-free areas. With parking, they're recommending neighborhoods develop their own management plans, create residential parking zones especially near areas of business (see 'hoods off Sixth Ave), and even parking options for bicycles. There's even a couple cool maps (anyone want to Google-ize these?) of mixed use centers around Tacoma.
Take a gander at the doc and some related info. Any thoughts? All I know is I'd sure love to see mixed user center go in to the empty lot across from our office at 28th and Pacific.
Thanks Erik!
Comments (2) | To Top
6/6/2007 @ 3:23pm
Alot of chips are on the table. The fundamental (urban) form of the city is going to be decided by the result of this process.
I have lightly read through it. My first impression is a good one. The recommendations finally look to address Tacoma’s antiquated parking requirements that require everything to be built as a strip mall in our city. Some vital issues are finally on the table.
-Erik
I have linked to Congress for New Urbanism web site for some great design examples of what Tacoma's mixed use centers could look like.
by Congress for New Urbanism
9/13/2007 @ 1:08pm
I am floored that the City and developers decide to change single family residential zones to mixed use centers which includs school buildings without consultation from residents that live 400 ft of the affected area. Who decides what plans go forward the Developers or Residents? This is a push down systematic approach that is appauling, especially since they use the same old people from the neighborhood councils to push their agenda. It is time for term limits for all these so called neighborhood and planning commission people. At no point in the process was I or my neighbhors notified of the changes until a flier is sent to us in the mail in August! The City and taxpayers will pay dearly (millions) in impact dollars for NE Tacoma's golf course development. I doubt the City did any indirect impact analysis or compounded the debt over several years to determine when the break even point is for all these new homes (bulding more streets, schools, hiring more police, and fire officials). This outdated notion that Developers know best, is WRONG.
Europeans MANDATE buffers in all their urban designs, between their cities, businesses and residential areas. They do not BUNDLE all in one area. This is taught in their high schools where students are actually required to take urban planning. If we hire any more city planners with socialogy degrees we're headed for more crapper, builders, that offer no architectural features in size, scale or appearance.
by Sara