[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6078482,"mediaKeyId","2959507-68e16b01c71105e3458eca20037a4df9","parentId",2959507,"title","Council reviews accessory-dwelling-unit code changes; planning commission’s short-term-rental restriction removed before council review","audioSeconds",9267,"startMs",9267000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959507-68e16b01c71105e3458eca20037a4df9&start=9267&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959507-68e16b01c71105e3458eca20037a4df9/thumbnail_9267000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078482/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-reviews-accessory-dwelling-unit-code-changes-planning-commissions-short-term-rental-restriction-removed-before-council-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078482-75a36a63afdd41a6aac36095c612dec6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443052&Signature=cBgKvEy90CMCwGX6FpbivK1P0JGGAEdz2xlZtgeK4oXzp~vEH7bRhAHtpRwhijh6Cw7Ys9jQZtzfW8-YIDG8VmjMfBbaMTE6~Hfh2w-oYq6ECN8lxTy-mvhwozdK1tg2vgCZZ9zopzkU~I6RrixQO5i5cSSY7IRcm2jXRn5JNd58t1Bpx6q992bim5GAuH4llsCX4CctnCbs-WCdooNYrdi5tC0cVfk1LHJAwvVFclDrcnaVjZc0Bo3cURaW9qho~U5pxGKSC6UGaRah4yjcZCtIzGtcwNcqHVmVV4zDWRuj9FyzBoPX~h5Gnp8dlbHZReDYhUSUbQXt5x7t18EVRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gig Harbor, WA","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","Senior planner Jeremy Hammer briefed council on proposed code changes to implement state accessory dwelling unit (ADU) requirements and to replace the city’s older accessory-apartment rules. City Attorney review and planning commission review were completed and the commission held a public hearing before forwarding a recommendation.

Hammer said the draft includes new definitions, amends the land-use table to allow ADUs outright, repeals old accessory-apartment criteria, and sets parking at one space per ADU. The planning commission recommended raising the maximum ADU size from 1,000 square feet to 1,200 square feet and added a prohibition on using new ADUs as short-term rentals; Hammer said the draft also clarifies that ADUs are exempt from underlying-zone density limits.

Council questions focused on compliance with state law and on fiscal and infrastructure impacts. Councilmember Stone asked whether the ordinance brings Gig Harbor into compliance with the state ADU bill; staff replied it does, and that a separate transportation-impact-fee update later this year will address required fee reductions. Hammer said the required transportation-impact-fee reduction for ADUs will be handled through the city’s impact-fee update; impact fees otherwise remain a separate public-works item.

Several council members expressed concern that allowing ADUs to be used as short-term rentals would reduce the stock of long-term housing the city needs. After discussion the council directed staff to remove the short-term-rental prohibition that the planning commission had added and to send a draft ordinance to council that does not preclude future owners from seeking short-term-rental permits under existing rules; in effect the council asked staff to remove the planning commission’s short-term‑rental ban from the draft before the ordinance goes to council for formal action.

Key technical changes identified in the study session included:
• New municipal-code definitions for ADUs and related housing types; owner-occupancy requirement removed (consistent with state law).
• ADUs exempted from the underlying zone density limit (per state statute).
• Maximum ADU size increased to 1,200 square feet (planning commission recommendation).
• Parking standard: one off‑street parking space per ADU (amendment to Chapter 17.72).
• Planning commission had proposed prohibiting STR use of new ADUs; council directed removal of that ban and to proceed without it in the draft ordinance.

Why this matters: The changes implement state law intended to increase housing supply and remove older local restrictions that required owner-occupancy or conditional-use review for accessory apartments. Decisions about parking, unit size and short-term-rental treatment affect how many ADUs are likely to be built and whether they will add long-term housing capacity.

What’s next: Staff will prepare a revised ordinance for council consideration that reflects the council’s direction (including removal of the planning commission’s STR prohibition) and will schedule required hearings and an impact-fee update to address the transportation fee reduction for ADUs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gig Harbor, WA City Council Study Session - March 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senior planner Jeremy Hammer briefed council on proposed code changes to implement state ADU law and replace the city’s older accessory-apartment rules.","taxTitle","Gig Harbor, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",60969,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078485,"Parks commission recommends three names for Harbor Hill playground; council requests naming resolution for council consideration",263,4694000,4957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959507-68e16b01c71105e3458eca20037a4df9&start=4694&end=4957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959507-68e16b01c71105e3458eca20037a4df9/thumbnail_4694000.jpg","/articles/6078485/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Parks-commission-recommends-three-names-for-Harbor-Hill-playground-council-requests-naming-resolution-for-council-consideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078485-122174684a70906be5b4ac78511ea56a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443052&Signature=OZaOtCEdVz7d1vqswi1xM~wJUL-nerdscjyhR4HLsLgceHNbyYPgixtFSdwUwv4PXxv8P~PUrcGtjqBBSoATbFSqDnMOXcJU~an~dhlK-WJdJ3fbqmOYjGCN0vFuS~8f9alvKv9QxDe60zhoc1eXMsiDjjZOTnz0vzi8HM2R82C4pIr0RWUpte0K2I~8bZVvpjnYsYVwIAfTlHf5qECDlKhKsRZX0DyYPDMfTl2LlJ4Gvl3ekCFxrnhmDGcGZOIDLUc0jLKI4ea34RjNxiro0PN6Ai~z1pZJOsjn~F7cf0Fs-2PdlK3WmfY9jNUnSmlLXoPtOUZaOw4I6Uzwg57Zfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks staff and the Parks Commission presented 24 public name submissions for the Phase 1B playground at the Gig Harbor Sports Complex. Jennifer Harrell, parks manager, summarized the commission’s review and said the commission settled on three recommendations for council consideration: a name that references the onsite canoes and local Native heritage (presented as “Canoe Park at Gig Harbor Sports Complex,” with a native-language form for display), “Swiftwater Park” (a nod to local water heritage and nearby Swiftwater Elementary), and “Gertie Park” (a child-friendly name referencing local history and the nearby Galloping Gertie story).

Harrell told council the commission discussed pronunciation and searchability for names with native wording, and generally avoided naming the park for a single private individual without a larger vetting process. She also noted the YMCA facility on site will use a name consistent with its lease and that Phase 2 fields are currently referred to as “Peninsula Light Fields.”

Councilmembers discussed the recommendations and the broader naming process. Councilmember Storzzet and others said they favored names that children would use; Councilmember Rosenberg and others urged creating a clear policy for naming components (fields, stage, courts) and preserving opportunities to honor local donors or longtime volunteers such as Hugh McMillan and Terry Lee in specific elements. Several councilmembers suggested developing a list of subfeatures that could carry commemorative names.

Council requested staff bring a formal naming resolution to the next available council meeting for action on the overall park name and asked parks staff to prepare guidance on what portions of the complex could be named for individuals in future actions.

Why this matters: Park names shape public wayfinding and local identity; the council’s decision will be used in signage, maps and outreach for the sports complex as phases open.

What’s next: Staff will place a naming resolution on the next council agenda and provide the Parks Commission’s recommended names and suggested criteria for naming sub-elements of the complex.","Parks commission forwarded three recommended names for the Phase 1B playground at the Gig Harbor Sports Complex—Canoe Park (with native name), Swiftwater Park, and Gertie Park—and council asked staff to bring a naming resolution to the next council meeting and to develop naming criteria for park components.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078491,"Council backs study of 12-year multifamily tax-exemption for Harbor Hill village area",487,3324000,3811000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959507-68e16b01c71105e3458eca20037a4df9&start=3324&end=3811","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959507-68e16b01c71105e3458eca20037a4df9/thumbnail_3324000.jpg","/articles/6078491/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-backs-study-of-12-year-multifamily-tax-exemption-for-Harbor-Hill-village-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078491-14ea1866efbcc3e1cc60b7b7e0c9b923/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443052&Signature=Hcs41GSlYP8d-5kJwlgGjM~UM8-hTnfuvCn77s7OWGl~QpFsDT8JgBj5m6joBtRF32Aigbw3pfM5qt8SQogZazw2ipuwoeWBLR883datSD7rV7Opri8mfqc5KvHZYYDQ4RFFIFkIKHaYG7LpApZdFI25GyZEtaVCbWG~t6zpYTrQBjd1vetfUoJaA5qzulh2sHf4A--EZrJb~XRsv4RgrLBetlZE8VdqkDsSsf9miHX-jRHl3lpfzu7N-hsrlCi7hVD~rI0b5q9TDvoyixhocd3HE50xnw3H-X-qFhmOY1GQhRcvKoOcZ42DFG-0MQJ1lixGSTpa3zXv~GRvGFk2dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City housing staff asked City Council on March 13 to direct them to study a multifamily tax exemption (MFTE) program and assess applying it to the Village at Harbor Hill. Shay Smiley, housing, health and human services manager, described MFTE as a state-authorized tool to incentivize multifamily development that can help the city meet state housing requirements.

Smiley said the city’s 2023 area median income (AMI) was $106,042 and outlined the MFTE options under state law: an 8‑year MFTE that requires no affordability covenant; a 12‑year MFTE that requires 20% of units to be affordable (low income defined as 80% of AMI, moderate as 115% of AMI); and a 20‑year MFTE that pairs long-term affordability (typically with nonprofit partners) with a 20‑year exemption. “We would recommend a 12‑year MFTE with an affordability requirement and initially require units to target 80%–100% of AMI,” Smiley said.

Staff presented Sumner as a case study where an 8‑year MFTE spurred downtown multifamily projects and the city later revised boundaries and adopted 12‑year incentives for specific areas. Smiley asked whether council wanted staff to pursue a phased rollout beginning with the Village at Harbor Hill in the second or third quarter of 2025 and to prepare boundary-specific tax-shift estimates with the Pierce County assessor.

Council discussion focused on fiscal effects and local benefit. Councilmember Luke asked who pays the foregone taxes and was told the tax burden is shifted across other property owners in the jurisdiction rather than eliminated. “We’re not getting any money from this developer…the taxes get shifted and they still get paid,” Smiley said. Councilmember Storzzet and others framed MFTE as a tool to increase workforce housing that could let teachers, first responders and city staff live in town.

Council signaled support for staff to prepare a detailed analysis for the Village at Harbor Hill, including estimated tax-foregone totals, projected unit counts, and choices about affordability bands; staff said they would return with numbers once a specific boundary was designated. Staff recommended the city pursue the 12‑year option with a requirement that affordable units be at 80%–100% AMI and a phased rollout beginning with Harbor Hill.

Why this matters: MFTE changes how property taxes on new multifamily residential improvements are treated for a defined period. Local adoption can influence where developers build and how much of new housing is affordable. Council’s direction starts a staff process to quantify the local fiscal impact and program design choices.

What’s next: Staff will prepare boundary-specific estimates, a recommended ordinance and a package for council review if the council approves proceeding.","Staff recommended a 12-year MFTE (multifamily tax exemption) focused on affordable rental units; council gave direction to study applying the program to the Village at Harbor Hill and return with estimates and boundary-specific tax-shift numbers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078493,"Gig Harbor council hears debate over grant-funded license-plate cameras; contract to return to council March 24",2886,286000,3172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959507-68e16b01c71105e3458eca20037a4df9&start=286&end=3172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959507-68e16b01c71105e3458eca20037a4df9/thumbnail_286000.jpg","/articles/6078493/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Gig-Harbor-council-hears-debate-over-grant-funded-license-plate-cameras-contract-to-return-to-council-March-24","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078493-e90dec2db3312e87a20f87e0d7714ea7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443052&Signature=DL4DS9sh-InQiI1qDoxo40KTc63lGYU8HUvdL0hZsev~kV~UxAPoMGxDUgYDhFKhHU2f57GmxQASdzFLzqM-2hoUq0pSzU26Z9Cu2UA1Y1lWNUxQ5xwvyghKdzcl~vtXotAsDunD0bxLx4wGtm-Q5GdxC9N0ApiRMNv3Nq~4kb02oT4Oev3yssLPXmvH8Yxhe2WN2M3o~5dQvRxbkEoaDGQG5YgjXqaTEubhQnXTvKfsvuFEuKBM6g8a5l5whyZ4tFD1H7I4h8uiTxwtxZfiPD98LNmIKPx-EyUOE2UrBGz8dtwTmG8Lyzd~fTq0PkPywOaOlTkqsrcgL1D392VHQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gig Harbor Police Chief Brian Busey told the City Council on March 13 that the department received a roughly $33,000 state grant to install 10 automated license-plate reader (ALPR) cameras at traffic choke points and is prepared to move forward with the purchase and first year of service.

The chief said the cameras would capture license plates and the rear image of vehicles and automatically check plates against state and national databases to flag stolen or wanted vehicles. “This technology just captures a record of the license plates and a photo of the make and model of the vehicle,” Chief Busey said.

The department presented the vendor Block (brand name Flock) and invited Kristen McLeod of Block Safety to answer questions. McLeod said the system uses machine learning to sort vehicle attributes and that the vendor stores data on an Amazon Web Services (AWS) government-cloud instance; she said the city controls access to its data. “If it does not align with the community’s values to share with a federal agency, you would not have to share with a federal agency,” McLeod said.

Council members voiced a range of concerns. Councilmember Hennessy questioned data residency and whether Flock could keep backups beyond the 30-day retention the vendor advertises; he asked whether “turning off the system” truly eliminates data. Councilmember Henderson, who identified himself as opposed, said his objection was not to local officers but to the system’s architecture: “The data are out of our control. You could say, yes, turn off the cameras. My question is, are the cameras turned off, or do you just no longer have access to the system?” Henderson said he would prefer “our own internal cameras” whose images remain only on city servers.

City Attorney Daniel Kenny explained contract language and public-records obligations: where a private vendor holds data on the city’s behalf, the contract can require production only when legally required. “On the Flock side, they are not a public agency subject to the Public Records Act, and so it would likely only be something like a subpoena issued by a judge that is valid and signed,” Kenny said. He added that the city “has ownership over all of the data for those 30 days before it is deleted.”

Cost and timing details were provided: the grant covers installation and one year of service; staff said recurring service would be about $30,000 per year (roughly $3,000 per camera per year) and that installation would take about two to two-and-a-half months after a contract is signed. Chief Busey said the grant must be used by June.

After extended comment and questions about public records, federal access, deterring crime and victim safety protections, council gave staff direction to return the vendor contract and proposed implementation plan to the full council for approval. The city clerk said the item will be placed on the March 24 council meeting agenda for a contract vote; staff said installations could follow within about two months after contract execution.

Why this matters: ALPR systems are increasingly common among Washington law enforcement agencies and can produce rapid investigative leads in cases such as stolen vehicles, hit-and-runs and serial thefts. Council members and commenters balanced those public-safety benefits against privacy, third-party data control and federal-subpoena risks.

What’s next: Staff will present a formal contract and implementation package to the March 24 City Council meeting for approval. The police department said it will publish an audit trail and public-facing portal describing queries and access controls if the system is adopted.","Police chief described a $33,000 state grant to install 10 automated license-plate reader (ALPR) cameras at city choke points; council members raised privacy, data-control and federal-subpoena concerns. Staff will bring a vendor contract to council on March 24 for approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews accessory-dwelling-unit code changes; planning commission’s short-term-rental restriction removed before council review

Parks commission recommends three names for Harbor Hill playground; council requests naming resolution for council consideration

Council backs study of 12-year multifamily tax-exemption for Harbor Hill village area

Gig Harbor council hears debate over grant-funded license-plate cameras; contract to return to council March 24