Is the emergency moratorium needed for Large Scale Retail?

Is the emergency moratorium needed for Large Scale Retail?
Let the Planning Commission know what you think October 5th

On October 5, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. the Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing regarding the current moratorium on large scale retail establishments adopted by the City Council. The hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers on the 1st Floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market Street). Please see the attached public notice.

At the City Council meeting on August 30, 2011, Ordinance No. 28014 was adopted, which put in place an emergency moratorium on the permitting of large scale retail establishments (those with a floor area greater than 65,000 square feet). The moratorium applies Citywide and was enacted for a duration of six months (until February 28, 2012). As stated in the ordinance, the purpose of the moratorium is to allow the City time to evaluate the impacts of these kinds of uses and consider potential changes to the applicable regulations and requirements.

As required, the moratorium has been referred to the Planning Commission to develop findings and recommendations for submittal to the City Council regarding the emergency moratorium. The Planning Commission is seeking public comment to assist them in formulating those findings and recommendations, particularly related to:

· Is the emergency moratorium needed?

· If so, what is the appropriate duration of the moratorium?

You are invited to come and testify at the hearing or provide written comments using the return address below no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, October 7, 2011, or by facsimile at (253) 591-2002 or via e-mail at planning@cityoftacoma.org.

If you have additional questions please feel free to contact Brian Boudet, Urban Planner, at (253) 573-2389.

Additional information, including the complete text of the moratorium ordinance adopted by the City Council, is available from the Community and Economic Development Department at the address below, and on the Planning Division website (www.cityoftacoma.org/planning - click on “Large Scale Retail Moratorium”)

Past, Present & Future of the Foss Waterway

Past, Present & Future of the Foss Waterway
September 27^th-29th
Esplanade Condominiums Retail Space (SW corner)
1515 Dock Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

The Foss Waterway Development Authority has partnered with Merritt Arch to revisit the master redevelopment strategy of the waterway to address current and future needs. The incorporation of public feedback is an important step in facilitating this process. 90-minute Workshop Sessions have been arranged to brainstorm & discuss the past, present & future of the Foss Waterway have been arranged over 3-days September 27th-29^th , 8am-9pm at the Esplanade Condominiums Retail Space.

A dedicated workshop has been set aside for the AIA-SWW members September 27^th, 4-5:30pm, other options are the public workshops:

Public Workshops:
September 27^th, 6-7:30pm
September 28^th, 7-8:30pm
September 29^th, 4-5:30pm

Additional sessions have been arranged for various organizations over the 3-days. Whether or not you live or work on the Foss, your input is valuable. Pre-meetings can be arranged to discuss the details of the strategic plan as well.

Contact:
Carly Snapp
csnapp@merrittarch.com
253-383-5300

Sketch & Swap

Sketch & Swap
September 27, 6PM

Get together and sketch with us.

Depending on the weather, we will either be at the Chinese Reconciliation Park on Ruston Way (nice weather) or at the Hotel Murano lounge (bad weather). Please RSVP to aiasww.elg@gmail.com so we can email you the day of to identify which location.

Conversations RE: Tacoma lecture - Policy, Politics & Paralysis: How to turn ideas into action

Converstations RE: Tacoma 3^rd Annual Lecture Series kicks-off September 15th
www.retacoma.com

This year's series kicks-off September 15th with the hope to inform, educate and encourage public engagement with urban design issues. This years 3-lecture series examines how idea's become reality in Tacoma, how small development can stimulate a neighborhood and what charateristics draw developers to communities.

Policy, Politics & Paralysis:
How to turn ideas into action

September 15, 2011, 6:30-8pm
UWT, Keystone Building, Carwein Auditorium

Learn how public policy & policy-makers have shaped Tacoma's urban landscape, and how you can get involved in the City's future landscape. This session will provide historical context of city governance in relation to urban design, how Tacoma city government actually works, and how to get involved in a proactive, rather than reactive, manner.

Speakers:
Bill Baarsma, former mayor and long-time public administration professor, University of Puget Sound; and expert on Tacoma's governance, policy & process since the 1950's
Mark Pendras, Assistant Professor of Urban Studies, UWT
Susan Cruise, citizen activist, Scenic Tacoma
Moderator: Peter Callaghan, columnist, Tacoma News Tribune

click for lecture #1 tickets $7.50
click for 3-lecture series tickets $20

additional information about the other lectures in the series at www.retacoma.com

Next ELG Meeting

Next ELG Meeting
We hope you can join us to discuss upcoming events.
Date: Tuesday, September 13th
Time: Noon
Place: Tully’s Coffee - 764 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402-3710

Update from previous meetings:
ELG will not be sponsoring a rebuilding together house next year due to lack of interest
there was also no response to the other event ideas that were presented earlier this summer

Public Art Plan for the Prairie Line Trail

Open House
Come learn more about the public art plan for the Prairie Line Trail

Tuesday, September 13^th 9:30 – 11:00am
Rain City Café 744 Market
Brewed coffee and snacks provided.

The team of Todd Bressi and Thoughtbarn (Lucy Begg and Robert Gay) will be back in Tacoma to share their thoughts and observations about the public art plan they are charged with developing for the Prairie Line Trail. Come to this informal session to learn more about it and share your thoughts and vision for this exciting new development in our downtown.

This project is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Learn more about the project:

http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/entertainment/arts-feature/2011/09/Tacoma-Public-Art-In-Depth-along-the-prairie-line-trail/

http://tacomaarts.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/art-and-history-connect-on-the-prairie-line-trail/

">Amy McBride, Tacoma Arts Administrator
City of Tacoma Community & Economic Development Dept.
747 Market #900
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-591-5192
www.tacomaculture.org

Seattle Bungalow Fair & Home Tour

Historic Seattle's Annual Bungalow Fair & Home Tour

September 24th and 25th

Town Hall Seattle at Eighth Avenue and Seneca Street on First Hill.

The Bungalow Fair continues to be the premier event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and Historic Seattle's most popular yearly offering. Town Hall Seattle once again provides a warm and inviting setting for a show and sale of antiques and new work by some of the nation's leading designers and craftspeople.

Members of Historic Seattle (see membership question below) By pre-registration only:

Fair Admission: $8

Lecture tickets (each) : $8

Bungalow Fair Weekend Pass: $35 general public; $25 members; $15 students

Please note: this price is only available until 4pm on the Wednesday prior to the Fair weekend. After this date pay at the door at the general public price.

General Public and members on day of the event

Fair Admission: $10

Lecture tickets (each) $10

Students with valid identification

Fair Admission: $5.

Lecture tickets (each) $5

for more information visit

http://www.historicseattle.org/events/bungalow.aspx