Updates on Pierce County ordinances re: sales tax and “The Village”
Yesterday afternoon, TPCAR’s advocacy team attended the County Council meeting with the .1% sales tax increase and The Village proposals both on the agenda. TPCAR offered public comment in support, per our previous position discussed at GA.
Proposed Ordinances:
No. 2022-81a: An Ordinance of the Pierce County Council Levying an Additional Sales and Use Tax of One-Tenth of One Percent for Housing and Related Services as Authorized by RCW 82.14.530; and Amending Pierce County Code Chapter 4.28, “Sales and Use Tax,” and Section 4.48.020, “Special Revenue Funds.”
No. 2023-5s: An Ordinance of the Pierce County Council Allowing for Shared Housing Villages in the Residential Resource Zone of the Parkland Spanaway-Midland Communities Plan Area of Unincorporated Pierce County by Amending Title 18A of the Pierce County Code, “Development Regulations – Zoning”; Adopting Findings of Fact; and Setting an Effective Date.
No. R2022-163s: A Resolution of the Pierce County Council Authorizing Release of Funding for a Microhome Village Project Pursuant to Provisos to the 2022-2023 Pierce County Biennial Budget.
The final vote count for each of the ordinances was 5/2 in favor, Councilmembers Herrera and Cruver being the two no votes, and 6/1 in favor of the resolution, Councilmember Cruver voted no.
There was a mix of community members who waited patiently for hours for their name to be called to testify. Among those who testified were residents in the Parkland, Spanaway, Midway communities, churches, non-profits, Tacoma Housing Authority and Pierce County Housing Authority, TPCAR and Pierce County Human Services.
Overall, community residents testified in support of the Village concept at a different location. However, residents near the proposed site were not supportive stating concerns about their property values, zoning, safety and contamination of the wetlands.
TPCAR testified in support of the sale tax increase “provided that boundaries are in place to ensure that the generated resources are deployed in an efficient and effective manner.” TPCAR worked with Council member Morrel to include accountability measures and requires into the ordinance to ensure that efficient and effective use of tax dollars.
Council member Cruver acknowledged her constituents with her vote of no on all three.