City of Tacoma - Urban Design Review Program-

Urban Design Review Program

The City is currently exploring the possibility and appropriateness of developing a city-wide design review program, with a focus on commercial, multi-family and mixed-use development.

The project has been rolled into the 2008 Annual Amendment as Application #2008-07. For more information or to provide feedback, please contact the staff contacts listed below.

Community Outreach

Three community workshops were conducted to provide background information about the project and give the public an opportunity to ask questions and provide input. The public notice for the workshops can be found here.

Background

The City Council, through Substitute Resolution No. 36685, directed staff to initiate an open public discussion regarding the development of a citywide design review process for commercial, industrial, multi-family and multi-plat single-family construction.

The Community and Economic Development Department has contracted MAKERS Architecture + Urban Design to assist City staff with this project.

Project Overview

The objective of the Design Review Project is to develop a model design review program, including goals, design standards and guidelines, as well as a design review process, implementation strategies and administrative requirements for its integration into the regulatory process.

The guiding principles for this project are to develop design review procedures that:

● Improve upon the City’s existing design review programs

● Support quality, sustainable, compatible development

● Support growth and development

● Are administratively practical

● Are user-friendly and understandable

● Are flexible and promote innovation

● Are predictable

● Encourage public involvement

● Are integrated with other existing City processes

What is Design Review?

Design review is a collaborative process used to examine public and private projects for their aesthetic, architectural, or urban design quality and compatibility with nearby development. Design review generally focuses on the appearance of new construction, site planning, and such concerns as landscaping, signage, and other aesthetic issues. A design review process utilizes guidelines that generally describe a goal, such as pedestrian-friendly design, but do not specify how to meet that goal. In contrast to the City’s current design regulations, a design review process would be a more flexible method for achieving those goals.

Where can I get Additional Information?

The background materials and documents associated with this project, including research documents, Planning Commission presentations, the public notice for the workshops, and the draft project schedule, are outlined and provided below. Also, if you would like more information about this project or have further questions; please feel free to contact the project staff:

Staff Contacts

Brian Boudet, bboudet@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 573-2389

Reuben McKnight, reuben.mcknight@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5220

Background Materials

Development Regulations for Livable Communities (Provided by the American Institute of Architects Southwest Washington Chapter [AIASWW], April 10, 2008, this document includes two parts: [1] recommendations by AIASWW on changes to development standards for mixed-use centers and for establishing a design review program in Tacoma, and [2] a report produced in 2005 by the national AIA, "Livability 101 - What Makes a Community Livable?")

Invitation to Public Workshops

Draft Project Schedule

Comp Plan Audit

Comprehensive Plan Policy Comparison Chart

Design Review Process Comparison Chart

Planning Commission Presentation (12-5-07)

Planning Commission Presentation (10-3-07)

Community Council Handout (7-26-07)

Neighborhood & Housing Committee Presentation (6-18-07)

Neighborhood & Housing Committee Presentation (4-16-07)

Planning Commission Presentation (11-1-06)

Project Overview (11-1-06)