Can Tacoma Grow Without Getting Taller?

Questions about changing the height limits in Tacoma business districts keep coming up, including a discussion on Exit133 in September.

At the moment, the issue concerns the business districts and not their surrounding residential areas. But as Tacoma becomes a denser and more compact city, new residential development may have to be permitted at higher densities (and therefore in higher buildings).

Right now, six of the eight residential zoning districts have a height limit of 35 feet for new structures, allowing a two or three-story building at most. This lower intensity zoning covers the vast majority of the lands used for residential purposes in Tacoma. Additionally, many of the areas with water views are within the View Sensitive Overlay District, which has height limit of only 25 feet.

While considering changes to height limits in commercial and mixed-use areas, is it time for the City to rethink some of its residential development regulations as well?  If height limits were increased or even removed completely in residential neighborhoods, would the cityscape of Tacoma change drastically? Would neighborhoods have a higher quality of life because they were bustling with more people or would the density damage the quality of life? Would this affect your desire to live in the city?  We’re curious…