Tacoma is looking to expand on the accessory dwelling unit reforms of the Home in Tacoma project by planning for new residential density along the city's transit routes.
Rubén Casas reports on renewed efforts in Tacoma, Washington to ease land use regulations and encourage the development of Missing Middle Housing.
The city's current efforts would "create more housing for more people along more of the city’s transit corridors, many of which still serve areas of the city zoned for single-family homes," writes Casas. The effort to locate new housing development along transit routes will require coordination with the city's transit policies, according to Casas. The article includes a few recommendations for how the city can better integrate its land use and transportation goals.
According to Casas, Tacoma's work builds on the zoning reforms of other cities in recent years and months—including significant innovations in Portland, Oregon in August, 2020; Sacramento, California in January 2021; and nearby Olympia, Washington in December 2020, among other examples.
Tacoma already relaxed regulations on accessory dwelling units in March 2019 with its Home in Tacoma project and approved sweeping regulatory reform later the same year.
FULL STORY: Tacoma’s Missing Middle Housing: Planning for Access, Affordability, and Mobility
Sweeping Residential Zoning Reform Advances in Tacoma
Zoning and land use changes proposed in the Home in Tacoma plan, an element of the One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan, was approved this month by the Tacoma Planning Commission.
Tacoma Plan Would Eliminate Single-Family Zoning in Favor of 'Missing Middle' Housing
If implemented, Home in Tacoma would create new housing categories to encourage more multi-family buildings.
Gainesville Eliminates Single-Family Zoning
Gainesville is the first city in Florida to eliminate exclusionary zoning.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions