The new CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber has written a three-page letter to the City of Tacoma’s Planning Commission as it considers whether Tacoma needs a moratorium on large-scale retail stores.
The Chamber posted a copy of the letter online last week, where at least two Tacomans already have weighed in.
The letter fleshes out the argument CEO Tom Pierson began making about a month ago in comments to The News Tribune. His remarks came two days after the moratorium was enacted and on the day when Walmart confirmed its plans to open a store on Elks property on South 23rd Street and Union Avenue.
“This is the third moratorium in seven weeks that the City Council has put in place. What does this tell our business community in terms of whether we’re open for business?” Pierson said Aug. 31.
In the letter, Pierson encourages the Planning Commission to remember that its task isn’t to focus on one development, but on whether existing city and state laws are adequate. The letter then describes the details developers must address when considering a project. Finally it again criticizes the City Council’s use of an “emergency moratorium.”
“These layers upon layers of regulations have existed for years with constant updating. The City has seen successful developments and businesses operating that now contribute to the local economy. The idea that yet another ‘emergency’ moratorium is necessary to address an existing legal land use is unimaginative at best,” Pierson wrote.
The public comment period for the Planning Commission ended Friday, but that’s not the last time the public can weigh in.
The commission is scheduled to make its recommendation to the City Council on the moratorium on Oct. 19, according to a draft timeline prepared by city staff members.
The council then will have a public hearing on the commission’s recommendations Oct. 25, then make a final decision Nov. 1.
Kathleen Cooper: 253-597-8546
kathleen.cooper@thenewsribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/business
Twitter: @KCooperTNT
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