Two initiatives that last year appeared to be on their way for approval sooner rather than later in Tacoma have been sent to the next cycle of the city code amendment process for review, with anticipated completion next summer.
At Tuesday’s City Council session, a resolution was approved to modify the timelines for proposed code amendments involving the use of shipping containers for storage/housing, and allowance of the use of electric fences for businesses in more locations citywide.
The two items were previously sent over from council to the Planning Commission to be added to this year’s code use amendments review, now in progress.
The measures instead will be moved to the Planning Commission’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulatory Code Amendment docket.
The shipping containers measure was initially adopted for further review June 8. The electric fence proposal was adopted Nov. 30, calling for a consideration of expansion limited to zoning in downtown, commercial and mixed-use districts.
For now, electric fences are prohibited except for sites zoned industrial or by variance in other districts. Alternate use of shipping containers is limited to industrial districts or for temporary uses in other areas.
The code amendment review process generally takes a year, with the 2023 process starting now.
In a memo sent to other council members April 7, Kristina Walker, who heads the Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability Committee, concurred with the Planning Commission in moving the items to next year’s agenda.
She wrote that “the (Planning) Commission concluded that due to the complexity and significant impacts of both issues, as well as the extensive community engagement that would be needed, it would be difficult to incorporate them into the 2022 Amendment process, which was already well under way. The Commission felt it more feasible for these issues be addressed through the 2023 Amendment process, which has begun and is slated for completion in June 2023.”
The memo also suggested that “Evaluating shipping containers as innovative housing options should be considered with Home in Tacoma Phase II.”
Under terms of the review, the commission will consider how use of the containers can work “as innovative housing solutions and also allowing shipping containers for storage specifically in commercial districts.” The city’s action memo tied to Tuesday’s council agenda also directs that the review “of development standards should ensure that shipping containers for residential use provide value-added accommodations and are safe to live in.”
As for the electric fences, while it acknowledged the sense of urgency from businesses seeking the option as a way to combat thefts and criminal activity on properties, “there are great concerns about equity, health, and safety regarding expansion of electric fences into areas outside of industrial zones that must be properly addressed,” the memo stated.
The action memo states that “the Commission’s review should include, but not be limited to: compatibility of the design and installation of electric fences with the surrounding environment, costs to businesses of permitting and installation of electric fences, site-by-site decisions or district-wide permissions, the applicability of conditional use permits, and the applicability of areas where commercial uses are present or allowed.”
Debbie Cockrell has been with The News Tribune since 2009. She reports on business and development, local and regional issues.
