The Tacoma City Council approved a resolution Tuesday clearing the way for City Manager Eric Anderson to negotiate an agreement with the town of Ruston to provide its building and land-use planning services.

The agreement would cover not only the Point Ruston mixed-use development, which straddles the boundary between Ruston and Tacoma, but also the rest of Ruston, said Martha Anderson of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Department.

Ruston leaders approved a similar resolution in May stating their desire to have Tacoma provide those services, she said.

Councilwoman Connie Ladenburg cast the only “no” vote, saying she didn’t want Tacoma providing those services for another jurisdiction.

Mayor Bill Baarsma said the idea wasn’t precedent-setting, noting that Tacoma already provides fire protection, water and other services to outside communities.

Jason Hagey, The News Tribune