IPS Committee recommends reappointment of Brett Marlowe and appoints Marie Reynolds, Troy Surrod to Planning Commission

Chair Christina Walker and the Infrastructure Planning and Sustainability (IPS) Committee on June 11 recommended the reappointment of Brett Marlowe and the appointments of Marie Reynolds and Troy Surrod to three open seats on the City of Tacoma Planning Commission.

The committee interviewed four applicants for three open positions and then deliberated before voting. After discussion the committee voted to recommend the following to full council: reappointment of Brett Marlowe to the environmental/community position for a three-year term effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028; appointment of Marie Reynolds to the architecture/historic preservation/urban design position for the same three-year term; and appointment of Troy Surrod to the District 4 position for a three-year term effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. The committee recorded the motions and each motion carried.

Why it matters: The Planning Commission advises the city on land use, zoning and design matters. Committee members noted that a full and experienced commission will be important as the city implements policies from Home in Tacoma and revisions to the comprehensive plan and zoning. Several council members said the upcoming three-year period will include substantial, technically complex items and they praised applicants for bringing a mix of policy, design, development and neighborhood experience.

What the committee heard: Candidates described local ties and relevant experience. Brett Marlowe, the incumbent, framed her work in sustainability and the built environment and said her experience as a builder and with green-building certifications helped her contribute amendments and practical perspectives to the commission’s work. Marie Reynolds, who holds a master’s degree in community planning from the University of Washington Tacoma and works in permitting and design at Comcast, emphasized civic engagement, experience with permitting issues and interest in stormwater and equitable revitalization. Troy Surrod told the committee he has an urban‑planning background, recent public administration training, and experience on the Transportation Commission; he emphasized transit‑oriented development and infill as priorities for the city center and neighborhoods.

Deliberation and outcome: Committee members compared candidates’ strengths: community engagement, technical planning knowledge, development experience and neighborhood representation from District 4. Council members said they would have liked to appoint more candidates if more seats were available. Chair Walker said staff would notify applicants promptly. The motions to recommend the reappointment and the two appointments passed during the meeting; the clerk will forward the committee recommendations to full council for final action.

Next steps: The clerk’s office will notify the applicants of the committee recommendations. The committee’s recommendations will be transmitted to the full City Council for confirmation; dates for full‑council action were not specified in the meeting record.

Quotes (from interviews and committee discussion): "It's been nothing short of amazing serving the community and the process of home in Tacoma," Brett Marlowe said, describing her service and interest in continuing on the commission. "I have a master's degree in community planning from UW Tacoma… I have extensive experience in community and civic engagement," Marie Reynolds said during her interview. "I bring planning experience from both military and civilian lenses... The urban core of Tacoma continues to be Puget Sound's biggest transit oriented development opportunity," Troy Surrod said, describing priorities for infill and transit‑oriented development.

Ending: The committee recorded its votes and concluded the appointments portion of the agenda; the meeting then continued with a separate presentation on transportation impact fees.