Proposed changes to Tacoma’s single-family housing zones irks neighbors
Aug 10, 2015, 9:03 AM | Updated: 9:47 am
The Tacoma Housing Authority hopes its new minimum wage of $32 an hour will help their own employees afford to live there. (Photo: City of Tacoma)
(Photo: City of Tacoma)
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s proposal to loosen restrictions in the city’s single-family housing zones drew so much criticism, he had to drop his plans. Now, the city of Tacoma is proposing similar changes.
According to The Tacoma News Tribune, the city wants to change the land-use code to allow developers to build or convert homes to duplexes or triplexes and detached mother-in-law dwellings in single-family neighborhoods. The plan would also allow for duplexes on corner lots.
Related: Seattle’s problems will spill from its borders
The Tribune reports the city’s proposal is based on the work of the Affordable Housing Policy Advisory Group.
An advisory group member told the Tribune another idea would encourage builders to include affordable housing in larger multifamily developments in exchange for bigger buildings. It’s one of the recommendations under consideration by the city’s planning commission.
Critics, like members of the North Slope Historic District, are worried about preserving homes in single-family neighborhoods, according to the Tribune. The group is petitioning the potential changes.
Historic Tacoma is concerned about how rezoning would affect preservation in the city.
“A developer could buy a $250,000 bungalow, tear it down, and build three townhouses on the lot to sell upward of $300,000 each,” the organization said in a statement. “The proposed up-zone would put a bullseye on less expensive, small, older houses, the very ones that are most affordable for families.”
Tacoma’s historic preservation officer told the Tribune the proposal won’t negatively impact the city’s architectural heritage. The historic districts have enough protections to prevent demolition of structures.
