A. 
The Growth Management Act (“GMA”) requires Tacoma to make adequate provisions for existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community. This chapter designates areas where affordable housing is a high priority due to one or more factors, including a risk of involuntary displacement of current residents, or a deficit in affordable housing supply to adequately meet the community’s or future housing needs, and where the City’s growth vision creates opportunities to meet housing goals. By designating affordable housing target areas, the City can prioritize and target inclusionary zoning and other actions to effectively meet the community’s housing needs.
(Ord. 28511 Ex. B, 2018-05-15)
A. 
The following incentives and standards are applicable within designated affordable housing target areas:
1. 
The inclusionary housing requirement and a range of housing incentives set forth in Tacoma Municipal Code (“TMC”) 1.39, Affordable Housing Incentives and Bonuses Administrative Code.
(Ord. 28511 Ex. B, 2018-05-15)
A. 
Criteria. Following a public hearing, the City Council may, in its sole discretion, designate one or more affordable housing target areas. Each designated area must meet the following criteria, as determined by the City Council:
1. 
The target area has a demonstrated affordable housing need, such as a current deficiency of affordable housing supply to meet community demand; a risk of involuntary displacement due to increasing housing costs; or projected future need for housing affordability to serve planned residential growth.
2. 
The target area is designated for substantial residential or mixed-use development, has ample development capacity to accommodate growth, benefits from market conditions conducive to high-density development, and provisions are in place to ensure that growth will be consistent with the community’s vision for the area, will be served by adequate infrastructure and services, and will benefit from transportation options and neighborhood amenities.
3. 
The City shall provide for increased development capacity and other incentives to promote the construction and offset the cost of affordable housing development, consistent with RCW 36.70A.540, which establishes the legal basis for affordable housing incentives and requirements.
B. 
Designated affordable housing inclusionary areas. The proposed “affordable housing target areas” are included herein:
Target Area
Future Land Use Designation
Development incentives
Effective Date
Tacoma Mall Neighborhood Subarea: Madison District Inclusionary Housing Pilot Area
Regional Growth Center
Maximum height increase; Financial incentives
May 27, 2018
(Ord. 28511 Ex. B, 2018-05-15)