Shoreline Master Program Amendments

A lot of people have put a lot blood, sweat and tears into developing the SMP over the last few years to create the document that will govern the use of our waterfronts. We’re nearing the point where the City Council can vote on the plan, and send it to the Department of Ecology. First, however, the Council must finish hammering out the details of the particularly high profile Ruston Way and Foss segments of the plan, including last week’s stack of amendments to Planning Commission recommendations.

The Council vote is scheduled for November 29th, so you have just over a week to express your thoughts, concerns or support for the changes. To read the proposed amendments read the City’s Shoreline Master Program Update.

Thea Foss – proposed modifications to zoning. (Click image to view full map – pdf)

Ruston Way/S6-S7 – Proposed modifications to zoning. (Click image to view full map – pdf)

In our notes from last week’s City Council meeting we promised updates on the extensive conversation about and amendments to the Shoreline Master Program. The News Tribune has done a nice job of recounting the amendments here, so we won’t try to re-invent the wheel with our own summary. Instead, we’d like to talk about the bigger conversation, hear your thoughts…

Tacoma is not unique in having to make tough choices between industry and recreation. What’s your favorite waterfront that you’ve seen elsewhere in the world? What elements/lessons could we import to Tacoma’s process? Are there examples of compromise we could learn from? Or does the winner-take-all approach make more sense to guarantee that at least someone wins?

Link to The News Tribune