Do you want to have a say in how the city regulates land use in the downtown, and in commercial and industrial areas? Now is your chance to speak up. The Tacoma Planning Commission is encouraging public input as it approaches a Wednesday public hearing to address proposed changes to the Land Use Regulatory Code, Title 13 of the Tacoma Municipal Code.
Questions raised by architects, engineers, property owners and others prompted the commission to re-examine the way the Municipal Code is worded. The proposed amendments are intended to make the code easier for everyone to understand and use.

The Growth Management Act requires that development regulations are consistent with the comprehensive plan. Title 13 of the code contains development regulations and zoning designations to implement the comprehensive plan. The code also contains regulations and procedures to control land use, platting, shorelines, environment, open space, critical areas and historic preservation.

The proposed changes modify design standards in the downtown area for rooftop screening and windows. Similar changes are proposed for the in commercial districts. Other changes in the downtown area include modifying requirements for street trees, first- floor uses, driveways and setback areas. One amendment under consideration proposes modifying Building Design Standards for commercial districts in order to eliminate inconsistencies and provide clarifying language.

In addition, another amendment suggests reformatting the Landscaping Standards Section of the code into three tables corresponding with residential, commercial/mixed-use and industrial zoning districts. Currently this information currently is presented in one large comprehensive table. These proposed revisions will modify buffer areas, as well as provide credits for retaining existing vegetation, a bonus for use of native plants and new exemptions from landscaping requirements.

The proposed revisions will modify buffer areas, provide credits for retaining existing vegetation, provide a bonus for use of native plants and provide new exemptions from landscaping requirements.

The final opportunity for in-person comment to the commission will be during the public hearing , 5 p.m., June 2 in the Council Chambers, first floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St.