[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86,98],{"_32":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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6172807,"mediaKeyId","5386686-55cc08df916cfd8f9d61e8e29ecd5a96","parentId",5386686,"title","Council studies multifamily tax‑exemption updates as two large downtown projects seek support","audioSeconds",820,"startMs",2990000,"endMs",3810000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386686-55cc08df916cfd8f9d61e8e29ecd5a96&start=2990&end=3810","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386686-55cc08df916cfd8f9d61e8e29ecd5a96/thumbnail_2990000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6172807/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-studies-multifamily-taxexemption-updates-as-two-large-downtown-projects-seek-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172807-76df04f8b4fed55a329cfe631b2cd69e/orig.mp4?Expires=1769813606&Signature=oIz9-Xm9WlMxC0sEXOrOucvCt4U-cjh1V74R566VTdH0BNf9ONJNlFnBqe~pZDcF5Ev1Xwm7hBHLoVEmDmy3RyuBzsY3KH3B-laeOk25h410JXMaps3-GOFTaEU3ocSpB1DQAKvk96Zl-79xv4p1D~hbMoS0pNjlE~m7n27rvPLQHolk6CtOywEmv3p5lgjEav0aef8lVWx194rRUFQXZtK-TPFYbH8nIWO8u-2Xj62aExMRXZen74eKMtF8C01eDNcLy~XjREelFe9wCuR-eBnrH911i7vhJ8rJqFEoMXjh1xflexXAaEPEI4L42~sJKm8uUNLxMHMmovciJ-kcaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lakewood City, WA","date","2025-07-15T07:46:52.273Z","article","City planning staff and economic development managers reviewed Lakewood’s multifamily tax‑exemption (MFTE) program at the July 14 study session and explained recent code updates, program benefits and two pending large projects that developers say rely on the exemption to proceed.

Why it matters: the MFTE is a long‑used municipal incentive that exempts incremental property taxes for a set period to encourage multifamily development in targeted areas. Staff told council that the program spurs private investment, increases housing supply near transit and, over the long run, expands the taxable base while also offering longer exemptions when projects include affordable units.

Director of Planning and Public Works Jeff Remag summarized the 2023 code updates (Ordinance adoption noted in the packet) that aligned the program with state requirements and local goals. Key changes cited in the packet include: exclusion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) from eligibility, an increase in applicant notice from 90 to 120 days, the addition of a 12‑year exemption option available when projects meet specified affordability thresholds (staff described the threshold as a percentage of affordable units at a specified AMI level), annual compliance reviews for 8‑ and 12‑year contracts, administrative eligibility approval with a resolution returning to council, and a minimum project size of 15 units.

Remag and Economic Development Manager Becky Nooty presented two projects referenced in the packet. Springbrook 2 is described as a 76‑unit project with an estimated development cost of about $25 million. Alliance was described as a 309‑unit project with land and construction costs in the tens of millions (packet figures: land roughly $9 million; planning and engineering about $5 million; construction around $69 million). Staff also showed a sample economic‑impact estimate from a comparable study (cited as a sample example from Tacoma) that projected roughly $5.5 million in annual economic output for a modeled project.

Councilmembers probed program goals. Councilmember Francietta urged that the city needs predictable tools that also help meet state and regional requirements for affordable housing bands; he and others said the MFTE tends to encourage market‑rate development and said the city should use complementary incentives for lower‑income bands. Several councilmembers noted that code updates since 2023 have increased developer interest: staff said seven MFTE projects were approved in the program’s first 20 years and five additional projects have come forward since the 2023 changes.

Staff said the MFTE is primarily an economic development and housing‑production tool: it helps expensive projects “pencil” given current capital costs and financing requirements, but it is not a stand‑alone affordable‑housing subsidy. Staff described examples of affordability tradeoffs: a hypothetical $95 million project with a 12‑year MFTE might forego about $12 million in taxes (roughly 20% of that project’s value over the exemption period) while producing a stream of several million dollars in reduced rents for qualifying affordable units over the same period.

Staff recommended continuing to use the MFTE in targeted Residential Target Areas (RTAs) to support growth near transit, while councilmembers asked staff for additional analyses comparing projects that used MFTE vs. those that proceeded without it and for more detail on how the program contributes to meeting the city’s housing targets (staff cited an estimated need of roughly 500 net new units per year to meet local goals). Council did not take action; staff said conditional approvals for the Alliance and Springbrook 2 projects are tentatively scheduled for the next regular council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting of July 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City planning staff and economic development managers reviewed Lakewood’s multifamily tax‑exemption program on July 14, showing code updates, financial examples and two large downtown projects that developers say need the exemption to proceed.","taxTitle","Lakewood, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",3978,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6172809,"Lakewood police report year‑to‑date crime declines; department outlines park safety, fireworks response",831,625000,1456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386686-55cc08df916cfd8f9d61e8e29ecd5a96&start=625&end=1456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386686-55cc08df916cfd8f9d61e8e29ecd5a96/thumbnail_625000.jpg","/articles/6172809/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/Lakewood-police-report-yeartodate-crime-declines-department-outlines-park-safety-fireworks-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172809-1ac65866cea435d8a03aad27430d7264/orig.mp4?Expires=1769813606&Signature=IFJShvRNeMGvJ~g0FXwMKrGJWNuOSA90AgsSERVL6F6LBEGjMyfwoccX8ZhQslPVv92R1uTiK63oDmn7viaxQVkFF6CsV2BLmicFdvTluQUGhwFX-g1ePur0heqMe7OpIhgxcl~e3v4C8F6YiYxavpl7HFM1iR~jAmnuwBnVu5x8k96YA9lB-aRfDrUvfnH2kXG~p4B9hGM8BqFjul6trRob5F0IJ31HrdlCWzOBbXvvtAJAUJXCp6jWObcNT1h1HVRzbaITBQ2S3IAvw8DrFD9RD4xDpv3bvq0zdzQyfjpkG2pQ3IHzcsVVXCIWQ~fOTeDRxR0PVDgEvbnKFmVq5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lakewood Police Chief Patrick Smith told the City Council on July 14 that year‑to‑date calls for service are roughly flat with last year while arrests and targeted enforcement have risen and most crime categories have decreased.

Why it matters: the report showed measurable reductions in several violent and property crime categories, while the department described concrete operational changes — including a summer parks enforcement plan — after a mass‑shooting incident in a park earlier in the year.

Smith said officers have handled about 24,840 calls for service so far this year. Arrests are up about 8.1% overall; felony arrests are down about 6.9% (largely owing to changes in state law reclassification), gross misdemeanor arrests were up about 93.8%, misdemeanor arrests were up about 7.9% and warrant arrests were up about 16.1%.

On reported crime counts, Smith said crimes against persons were down 13.7% overall year‑to‑date: aggravated assaults down about 12.7%, simple assaults down about 12%. The city recorded no homicides so far this year. Robberies were down 33.3% and sex crimes were down about 19.1%. On property crime, most categories declined; larceny was the exception, up about 8% (Smith attributed some of the larceny activity to concentrated issues in Lakewood Town Center). Motor‑vehicle theft showed a major decline from 2023 (Smith cited a roughly 59.0% reduction). Shots fired incidents were down about 44.6%.

Councilmember Garcelo asked how to communicate reduced crime trends to residents who still perceive crime as a top concern. Smith said the department posts regular updates online, maintains a visible officer presence (including two officers assigned daily to the Lakewood Town Center) and encouraged council members to bring statistics when engaging neighbors.

Smith described changes to park policing after a mass shooting that injured seven people earlier in the period. He said the department instituted a summer plan that assigns officers to parks on weekends and hot days, coordinates with the parks department, removes illegally parked vehicles and enforces park closing times. Smith said those parks assignments are covered through overtime rather than by reducing other patrol services.

On fireworks, Smith explained the department tracks calls for service for July 3–5 each year because fireworks are legal in the city for the holiday timeframe. Many fireworks calls are canceled before officers arrive; the department recommended online reporting for non‑urgent complaints during the allowed period. Smith said he did not recall any fireworks‑related injuries reported to the police department during the tracked period; fire‑department medical contacts would provide injury data.

No formal council action was taken; the report was presented for council information and discussion.","The police chief told council arrests and enforcement are up while most crime categories are down year‑to‑date. The department described a summer parks plan after a recent mass‑shooting incident and explained how fireworks calls are tracked during the July 3–5 period.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6172811,"Lakewood staff previews 2026 lodging-tax grant schedule; council questions 3% capital set‑aside",520,120000,640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386686-55cc08df916cfd8f9d61e8e29ecd5a96&start=120&end=640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386686-55cc08df916cfd8f9d61e8e29ecd5a96/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6172811/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/Lakewood-staff-previews-2026-lodging-tax-grant-schedule-council-questions-3-capital-setaside","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172811-6703b6967f4339e80b7ea0932d08dc7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1769813606&Signature=m~zGjwjFzs2Hzi9DWHynyRj~wBG5Je3EI1NRuNNhkuQuxUKoaNb7qFTJlFXSyGM8iDTG1lMrGv8O0UfI4j42jcIY-c7dkSdQR1QYm3Fk8Sj-x5SGgis0-HtW36w~EpXQTsT8VZaGawwzL18Zi10rGJaPgSwAYON25cPFhKfuuirT91s6AtPGxoNnnNhBkSAz9NaafsNtZjS~HVOGTD05~9FOj2dGINbHXrfJNHZhZDxd7QRevJHRzaR-YJz~PPtWhJngdexZEX3jNBpptK7s6UALQ0PsEhf8-pM98dKl7nhrqY01AscBr1GUIbf3Lmou97n7XfclvA6ZbRdY~D4bag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Lakewood City Council on July 14 that the 2026 lodging‑tax grant application period opens July 28 and that roughly $4.1 million will likely be available for next year’s awards. Interim City Manager Todd Cross said the city collects 7% lodging tax; by local policy 4% is set aside for tourism uses and 3% is restricted for capital, though all revenue could be used for capital if council so chooses.

Why it matters: the lodging tax funds events, attractions and capital projects that can drive visitor spending and growth in hotel revenue. Council discussion focused on whether the long‑standing 4%/3% split should remain and on ensuring the committee can give council direct policy input.

Cross reviewed the application timeline: applications open July 28; an August 15 notice and an August 18 application deadline; compilation and forwarding to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee on Sept. 8; applicant presentations Sept. 19; council adoption planned Nov. 17; and contracts effective January 2026. Cross said the city has a committed capital lease payment to the McGavig Center that reduces available funds by $101,850 annually, with the last payment due June 2026.

Cross estimated approximately $4.1 million will be available for 2026 awards. Of that, about $3.0 million would be restricted to capital uses under the council’s current policy and $1.1 million would be unrestricted for tourism uses. He noted the 3% capital set‑aside is a council‑adopted policy, not a state requirement, and can be changed through a code amendment.

Councilmember Brandstatter asked that a joint meeting with the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee be rescheduled so council can hear committee members’ perspectives in person. Councilmember Marcel asked whether any local attraction currently serves 1 million visitors per year; staff said the barn and a potential downtown park were examples used in past discussions but that the 3% restriction came from the city council’s adopted funding guidelines.

Staff said it will work with the city clerk to schedule a joint meeting with the advisory committee before applications are due if council requests that. No formal council motion or vote took place at the study session.

The lodging‑tax application schedule and available‑fund estimate will be part of the November adoption and the contracts coming in January 2026.","City staff outlined the schedule and funding available for 2026 lodging-tax grants and reminded council that a self‑imposed 3% capital set‑aside can be changed by council vote. Councilmembers asked to reschedule a joint meeting with the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to discuss policy and uses of funds.",{"_32":99,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":100,"_40":101,"_42":102,"_44":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6172802,"Council hears staff proposal to extend and raise public‑defense contract as caseload limits tighten",727,5573000,6300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386686-55cc08df916cfd8f9d61e8e29ecd5a96&start=5573&end=6300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386686-55cc08df916cfd8f9d61e8e29ecd5a96/thumbnail_5573000.jpg","/articles/6172802/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-hears-staff-proposal-to-extend-and-raise-publicdefense-contract-as-caseload-limits-tighten","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172802-b1ece4fcb6db25a1bd8ec37e55a4b458/orig.mp4?Expires=1769813606&Signature=ctsVP-qo4veq8hMMzfWdRoNY4yDbs4qh4m27itEIbsTY4k3odPCe3pjaX~DJDiMaYYcnjdVqRkJhdBFZeMSK84O5SM9NmSlUvjA8KMcTjxLI2V4R6Jm0ZNMmD39mptzFnybP2Gfd2I2NBfNklPb~s0NbcRTY10d6AucWXQiIBUcETZC4nAifNNu31dwtohI4~mNJJ5gA6OMzunMruHoy6~01IMuWV07ah~HEGjkjgcP0LdZpirfNysDFRzTpDnxAjmMVvnHrfdZWQdLpzSpmnZ3hczY7ergK4kKKdaevXrBHTKOYxu4wfTG6pjF9DpCOmRr-dgdLLH50vM2a5upCcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a proposed contract amendment for public‑defense services on July 14 that would extend the Pacific Point Defense contract by one year and raise compensation to cover additional attorneys and support staff needed under updated indigent‑defense standards.

Why it matters: professional standards and a recent Washington State Supreme Court interim order mean lower recommended caseload limits for public defenders over a phased implementation window. Staff said that will increase the number of attorneys and support staff a city must fund to meet standards; failing to plan for those changes could disrupt public‑defense coverage.

Michael Vargas summarized the background: Lakewood’s contract with Pacific Point Defense (PPD, formerly Horwath Law) began in 2021 and currently terminates Dec. 31, 2025. Two amendments have already been approved since. In March 2024 the Washington State Bar Association released updated indigent‑defense standards that reduced recommended misdemeanor caseloads (the Bar initially set a target around 120 misdemeanor cases per attorney after phased implementation). The Washington State Supreme Court issued an interim order in June 2025 that lengthened the implementation timeline, directing phased annual caseload reductions with a 10‑year window to reach the new limit by Jan. 1, 2036.

To align budgeting with those changes and the city’s biennial budget cycle, staff proposed extending the contract to Dec. 31, 2026, and increasing annual contract compensation to roughly $890,000 for 2025 and about $1,180,000 for 2026. Staff said those amounts reflect adding attorney full‑time equivalents (about 5 FTE attorneys in 2025 and about 6 FTE in 2026 in the proposal) and additional support staffing to meet support‑staff ratios specified by the professional standards.

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the jump in contract cost, how attorney and support staff counts were calculated, and whether calendar or court scheduling changes could reduce the need for more defenders. Vargas and other staff said municipalities face regional competition for public‑defense attorneys, that support staff ratios are specified in the standards, and that the Supreme Court’s interim order provides a phased implementation window but will nonetheless increase costs over time.

No formal council vote occurred at the study session. Staff said they expect to return with final contract documents and budget details in time for the biennial budget cycle; staff also noted exploring coordination with the municipal court on calendaring and diversion options to manage systemwide workload.","City staff asked council to extend the Pacific Point (public defense) contract through 2026 and to raise compensation to cover added attorneys and support staff needed to meet new indigent‑defense standards. Staff said statewide changes to recommended misdemeanor caseload limits will increase costs over time.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council studies multifamily tax‑exemption updates as two large downtown projects seek support

Lakewood police report year‑to‑date crime declines; department outlines park safety, fireworks response

Lakewood staff previews 2026 lodging-tax grant schedule; council questions 3% capital set‑aside

Council hears staff proposal to extend and raise public‑defense contract as caseload limits tighten