The City of Tacoma’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Weds., Oct. 5, 2011 at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street, 1st Floor, to discuss an ordinance (No. 28014) adopted by Tacoma City Council on Tues., Aug. 30, 2011 that places a six?month moratorium on the permitting of large scale retail establishments (those with a floor area greater than 65,000 square feet). 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 its regulations and requirements.

City Council referred the moratorium to the Planning Commission to develop findings and recommendations regarding the moratorium. The Planning Commission is seeking public comment addressing, at a minimum, (a.) Is the emergency moratorium needed? (b.) If so, what is the appropriate duration of the moratorium? Please Note: This public hearing is on the need for and duration of the moratorium and not to discuss or review any particular changes to the City’s regulations or requirements relative to large retail uses.

Additional information, including the complete text of the moratorium adopted by City Council, is available from the Community and Economic Development Department, located at 747 Market Street, Room 1036, (253) 591?5365, and on the Planning Division Web site at http://www.cityoftacoma.org/planning (click on “Large Scale Retail Moratorium”). You can testify at the hearing or submit written comments to the City of Tacoma, Planning Commission, 747 Market Street, Room 1036, Tacoma, WA 98402, no later than 5 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 7, 2011 or by facsimile at (253) 591?2002 or via e?mail at planning@cityoftacoma.org .

If you have additional questions, contact Brian Boudet at (253) 573?2389.