Exit133

December 11, 2007 · Derek

City Council Meeting- Dec. 11, 2007

Tonight’s City Council meeting was very efficient. While the meeting went to nearly 8:00, most issues are one’s we’ve already covered. So… this will be quick.

  • Personal comment was all about personal stories. Mostly personal noisy stories. From geese to ships to clubs, the Council got an earful.
  • Council approved Resolution No. 37342, expressing support for Sound Transit’s Tacoma – Lakewood commuter rail extension. Council members spoke about this being a great thing for Tacoma and their excitement for the future.
  • Council approved the two ordinances discussed last week in relation to the comprehensive plan. These changes created 3 new mixed use centers and changed the boundaries of 9 existing mixed use centers.
  • Ordinance 27667 was passed, extending a line of credit for the Mountain Division Rail Line, in relation to the Train to the Mountain. (Previously on Exit133)
  • An amended pet control ordinance was passed. (Previously on Exit133)
  • The first reading of the proposed noise ordinance was this evening. The ordinance will not be voted on until January because other agencies need to review it before it can be fully approved.

That’s all for this week. The city is still moving along…

Filed under: City Council, Legislation, City Government

4 comments

  • jdub December 12, 2007

    The council approved the heavy rail extension through the dome district, with smiles? Can someone explain this to me?

  • Tina December 12, 2007

    Did they support one of the options or just the commuter rail in general? It would be nice to see the project get moving.

  • drizell December 12, 2007

    I suspect that many of Tacoma’s current City Council members would move to Lakewood if they could. Some of the conditions, such as air rights, are good ideas. There are numerous good examples of development in which air rights were used to construct buildings over railroad tracks. Sometimes you don’t even know that there are any train tracks close by.

    Also, Tacoma is taking a step in the right direction by authorizing mixed-use centers where the current pattern of development is suburban in nature. Now, the City should look at changing the development regulations that would allow buildings that will better fit a mixed use district. Raising the height limit and reducing the off-street parking requirements would be a good start.

  • Erik B. December 12, 2007

    Now, the City should look at changing the development regulations that would allow buildings that will better fit a mixed use district. Raising the height limit and reducing the off-street parking requirements would be a good start.

    Yep. The new mixed use centers are going to be little more than strip malls unless they follow up with an urban building code.