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CONSERVING A UNIQUELY TACOMAquality of life with transfer of developmental rightsBy Ian Morrison, Forterra Pierce County Trustee14In 1873, the Northern Pacific Railroad announced thatTacoma’s Commencement Bay would be the terminus oftheir transcontinental line instead of Seattle. Tacoma wassoon declared the “City of Destiny,” due in part to its senseof boundless opportunity and abundant natural resources.Since then, Tacoma has continually fused its ecology,geography and economy to define a vibrant, eclecticcommunity. There is a unique sense of place clearlyreflected in the city’s energetic neighborhoods.Today in Tacoma’s mixed-use neighborhoods like Proctorand South Tacoma, people are experiencing how walkableurban communities can better connect residents with thenatural environment. Families can find great deals on localPuyallup Valley produce at one of Tacoma’s neighborhoodfarmers markets. Tacoma’s waterfront promenade connectsour industrial heritage with Point Defiance Park’s untouchedshorelines. It often comes alive with runners, children andneighbors seeking to be recharged by the Puget Sound.Tacoma constantly reveals new ways to connect with thenatural environment that defines what it means to live inthe Pacific Northwest.As a proud Tacoma native, I believe our civic mission isto ensure these qualities endure for the next generation.Working in partnership with Forterra, Tacoma recently madesteps to further protect the elements that make our regiongreat with the creation of a Transfer of Development Rights(TDR) program that will help conserve private farms, forests,habitat and landmarks sites.This September, the Tacoma City Council voted unanimouslyto adopt a TDR program. The effort was led by MayorMarilyn Strickland and Councilmembers Ryan Mello, JakeFey, David Boe and Lauren Walker, all of whom playedcritical leadership roles in this success. Tacoma is the firstPierce County city to implement a TDR program. In doingso, the City took an important step to foster the sense ofFORTERRA.ORGinterconnection between the daily urban experience andthe Puget Sound natural environment.Tacoma’s TDR program is an innovative, market-based policythat allows for increased targeted urban development withinthe City’s 16 mixed-use centers by conserving importantprivate farm and timber lands, in-city habitat corridors ordesignated Tacoma landmark sites.Tacoma will work with individual landowners, who willsell the rights to build on their farm or timber landsthrough voluntary transactions. A conservation easementprotects these TDR “sending sites” in perpetuity fromfuture development. In exchange, Tacoma will facilitatea market for developers to purchase TDRs. Those TDRsallow development of additional retail and office space orresidential units within the mixed-use centers where boththe infrastructure and community support smarter growth.Perhaps most important is the promotion of regionalconservation goals. The natural wonders that define thePuget Sound do not stop at county borders. Tacoma’s TDRprogram is not limited solely to sending sites within thecity. Instead, it is part of a broad regional TDR marketplacethat includes Pierce, Snohomish and King Counties. Doingso recognizes the Puget Sound region’s interconnectivity;this spirit of regionalism inspires me. Preserving threatenedPuyallup Valley farm land or eastern Snohomish Countyforest land both greatly contribute to our quality of life. I amproud that Tacoma recognizes that successful Puget Soundconservation does not have to be a zero sum game.With this new TDR policy in place, Tacoma continues itstradition of supporting the vibrant balance of ecology,geography and economy. The TDR program can be animportant tool to foster conservation of critical lands forfuture generations while supporting smart, livable growthwithin our neighborhoods.I am confident we will see the benefits from the regionalTDR market that Forterra is working to establish. With thisPuget Sound network of cooperating cities, counties anddevelopers, we will soon see how TDRs can help conserveworking farms in Sumner while allowing greater densityin Tacoma’s mixed-use neighborhoods to ensure futuregenerations have the same opportunities to experience thelands that defines our region. Achieving this will truly unitethe City of Destiny’s history with its tomorrow.A Tacoma native, Ian Morrison is a Forterra PierceCounty Trustee and former City of Tacoma PlanningCommissioner. He is an associate at McCullough HillLeary, a Seattle land use and real estate law firm.City scape of Tacoma. Photo by Erica Simek.