Department of Ecology Makes Foss Decision?
Erik B’s cameraphone is telling us that the Department of Ecology has made a decision regarding the height limits on the Foss. As you may recall, the recommended code amendments would allow for buildings up to 180 ft tall. The developers are considering “tower/podium” style buildings to create view corridors from Pacific Ave and downtown. The City would also require large pedestrian-friendly walkways in between the buildings and an esplanade that would connect to the rest of the Thea Foss waterfront.
According to the Urbanist, the design was “accepted” by the Department of Ecology. We can’t wait to see the the details ourselves …
UPDATE
Summary of Issues
Ecology issues relate to the level of potential view blockage of water views and how best to demonstrate minimization of view obstruction, and whether there is any definition to how much view impairment is too much.
Conclusions of Law
The Department of Ecology found that the city’s process and policy complied with all RCW requirements. Furthermore, they concluded that “… the City has demonstrated that while views from a substantial number of residences and from public spaces may be affected, the SMP contains provisions to minimize the effect on views and to mitigate for impacts to public access.
The resulting decision is that Ecology upheld that the proposed amendments are consistent with the Shoreline Management Act.
Link to the Tacoma Urbanist
Previously on Exit133
Filed under: The-Politics-of-Development
1 comments
T Thorax O'Tool August 26, 2008
Barring some sort of apocalyptic happening or some sort of Detroit-style urban decay, it’s a fairly safe bet to say Tacoma is going to keep growing, like it or not.
Granted, it may not be at 2%, but still growth is gonna happen.
While I’d rather not see our lovely views getting toasted, I have to only remind myself of Seattle. Best numbers I can find point to T town having about 400,000 people by 2040, and those folks gotta live somewhere… density is essential.
By forcing a stepped design requirement, it looks like the city is actually doing something to preserve as many views as possible. Thus, I hope we can avoid the fate of our neighbors to the north, where you can’t hardly see the water unless you own a 40th floor condo.
And considering the slowdown in the market and credit storms that are hitting lenders hard, I have my doubts we’ll see anything on the Foss up to 180’ anytime soon. Hell, it’s 420’ in downtown (as far as I know) with the city willing to raise it, if asked. What do we have? Wells Fargo @ 338’, built damn near 40 years ago.
I think our views will be safe for a while, and I’m glad they’re looking forward enough to take some initiative to preserve them as best as possible.