North Shore Application Update

The City of Tacoma has issued a couple documents about the proposed redevelopment of the North Shore that a little bird passed along to us.

In it, the City asks the developers for a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to address the areas where they need more information.

The City is looking to the developers to explain how they will make the project compatible as “compared to the surrounding uses and development including in the original [zoning]” as well as address a few other points about zoning/views/etc.

Then there is this:

The City of Tacoma, City of Federal Way, Washington State Department of Transportation, Metro Parks, and the Tacoma School District have all reviewed the proposal and determined that through proper conditions of approval, the applicant will be able to mitigate for impacts associated with recreation, transportation, and school impacts, although the specific mitigation measures required to do so need further evaluation.

It seems to us like the report is a mixed bag for both the North Shore Developers and its opponents. The City is asking for a lot more information about zoning, views, and general land use—no small issues.

But they (and a number of other agencies) have also agreed in principle, at least that the developers will be able to mitigate the impact the new houses will have on recreations (parks), transportation, and schools. That seems like a big win for the developers.

Any thoughts?