THURSDAY: Public Hearing for Downtown Gig Harbor Building Height Amendment

The City of Gig Harbor Planning Commission is holding an open house and public hearing to solicit community feedback on the City-sponsored zoning code text amendments.

Local residents are encouraged to attend the meeting on Thursday, March 21, at the Gig Harbor Council Chambers at 5 p.m. to provide feedback at the open house and hearing or in writing.

The Planning Commission is considering recommending increases to the maximum building height in the City’s downtown area in order to allow flat-roof, two-story buildings in the City’s downtown. 

Under the Commission’s initial proposal, all buildings would be allowed to be 27 feet high as measured from the building footprint.

The current regulations allow building height to be between 16 and 27 feet—depending on the topography and roof type. Zoning districts under consideration for this height increase are the Downtown Business (DB) zoning district and the Waterfront Commercial (WC) zoning district that abuts the DB district.

According to Senior Planner Lindsey Sehmel, the recommendation is part of the Harbor Vision Statement to upgrade and enhance the downtown area while preserving its historical characteristics.

Schedule of Events

• 5 p.m. Introduction to Amendments
• 5:20 p.m. Open House
• 5:40 p.m. Q&A
• 6 p.m. Public Hearing and Testimony

Commenting:

All persons will have an opportunity to present their oral comments at the public hearing. Those wishing to submit written comments may do so at the hearing or by submitting them to the Planning Commission via the Planning Department at the address below, or by email at kesterj@cityofgigharbor.net or by fax at 253-858-6408.  All written comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2013.

The complete text of the proposed amendments are available for public review Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Planning Department, located at 3510 Grandview Street in Gig Harbor, 253-851-6170.