APPLYING HEALTH-IN-ALL-POLICIES IN COMPREHENSIVE PLANS TO ...

APPLYING HEALTH-IN-ALL-POLICIES IN COMPREHENSIVE PLANS TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF HEALTH

Introduction Health starts where we live, work, learn and play. “Health-in-All-Policies” is a systematic approach to address the social, economic and environmental factors affecting health and quality of life. Health professionals apply this approach to create healthy communities by collaborating with planners and other stakeholders to integrate health across all comprehensive planning policy areas/elements. This approach is supported by both the Countywide Planning Polices for Pierce County, WA (2014), and the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health (2016). The Health and Well-being element contains a policy (HW-2) which recommends that “The County and each municipality in the County shall incorporate provisions addressing health and well-being into appropriate regional, countywide, and local planning and decision making process”. The Board of Health deliberates a resolution which recommends, among others, that their own agencies and other decision-makers at all levels of local and state government consider health in all existing and future policies, including potential unintended impacts on specific communities burdened by health inequities. Healthy Communities are livable, viable and equitable man-made environments founded on a balanced foundation of “environment (planet), economy (prosperity) and society (people)”.

Source: Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. (2013): Healthy Community Planning Toolbox.

This document provides a wide range of policiesi local jurisdictions in Pierce County apply to improve the social, economic and environmental conditions of neighborhoods and places. If health-promoted policies are implemented over time, the health of the communities will be improved as their root causes of health and health disparities are being addressed.

http://www.tpchd.org/environment/planning-healthy-communities/healthy-community-planning-toolbox/

Applying HiAP in Comprehensive Plans September, 2016

Policies Upholding “People: Equity”

People and Health

“People” refer to a society or a community comprising healthy, informed and engaged individuals, families and communities where human capital and community cohesion are fostered through public participation in local activities and support systems, and socio-economic diversity is valued by providing fair access and equal opportunities to key services (including health, education, transport, housing and recreation).

Research evidence indicates that a socially-connected place and an inclusive community providing fair access to a wide range of affordable housing and community safety nets for everyone can reduce many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, depression. Mixing diverse land uses in a compact built environment can encourage the use of alternative transportation, improve air quality and promote social interaction (Lawrence Frank, et al (2006)ii; Hugh Barton (2009)iii; Project for Public Spaceiv; New Castle Countyv). Affordable housing is seen as a determinant of mental health. Improvements in housing can promote general and mental health, while making housing affordable can address homelessness, reduce involuntary displacement, and improve mental well-being (Corporation for Supportive Housing (2014)vi; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2011)vii; America’s Essential Hospitals (2014)viii). A safe and pleasant pedestrian environment offers both physical and mental health benefits, such as reducing injuries and rate of obesity, and improving social interaction (Smart Growth Americaix; Todd Litman, (2016)x). Green spaces can also foster social interaction and promote social support.

“People” policies aim to improve the social conditions, community ties, sense of place and community, human capital, education, health and wellness, safety and crime prevention in your community.

Auburn:

1. Core Plan Land Use Policy #15: Employ Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) when designing communities and development proposals.

2. Housing Element Policy H-2: Through integrated planning for land use, parks and recreation, transportation, housing, and jobs, support active living and healthy eating opportunities.

3. Health Impact Assessment Healthy Food Policy #3: Increase distribution of community gardens: identify city properties and work with community groups to identify additional properties in underserved areas that can be used for community gardens, install gardens, promote gardens to local residents.


Bonney Lake:

1. Policy CD-3.5: Ensure that there is a sufficient supply of housing affordable to all income levels by maintaining supply of housing that is currently affordable median-income, low income and very low income households and working to increase the supply of housing affordable to households within Bonney Lake make eighty percent of the Pierce County Median Income, by 668 housing units.

2. Policy CD-4.5: Allow community gardening and “urban” agriculture in a residentially zoned areas and open spaces provide that that uses do not impact the function and values of environmentally critical areas.

3. Policy CFS-15.3: Promote opportunities that bring people together to help them build connections to each other, their peers, their neighbors, and the greater community in order to achieve a sense of belonging among all Bonney Lake plateau residents.

Buckley:

1. Goal 1.1. Buckley should provide a healthy and productive environment for its citizens and preserve its small town character. Policy 1.1.1: Buckley should preserve its small town character through the following:

Concentrate retail development near the historic downtown center of the city and near the SR 410 corridor.

Focus pedestrian and bicycling trails and sidewalks between commercial and residential developments to encourage non-motorized access.

Encourage mixed use developments in commercial zones. Policy 1.8.4: Any residential development containing more than four dwelling units shall provide

recreational facilities or appropriate and usable park land on or near the development.

2. "Sense of Place" is called "small town character" and is Number One in our vision statement. It is generally discussed throughout the plan. Policy 2.4.1: Developers should provide connections to adjoining neighborhoods, access to trails,

healthy food choices, gathering places, and also provide pedestrian and bike paths for their

development.

Policy 3.5.1: The city’s “small-town attributes” include at least the following: walkability across

town, walkability to food, pharmacy, and businesses, residential porches facing street fronts,

and large picture windows in businesses along Main Street. Providing pedestrian connections

should be required as part of all development because these connections will promote

pedestrian traffic to the business community.

Policy 3.5.3: Consider the city’s “small-town attributes” in the design and of and review of how businesses function. Site plan reviews should include a review of vehicle and pedestrian flow, pedestrian and/or open space amenities, vegetative screens around parking lots, storefront windows along the street, and buildings closer to the highway separated by only two rows of parking.

3. Goal 2.3. Promote creation of affordable housing options throughout the city for all segments of the population. Policy 2.3.1: Encourage development of a range of low income and senior housing opportunities convenient to services. Policy 2.3.2: The city should enable affordable housing in new developments by offering incentives, such as density bonuses and economic incentives.


Policy 2.3.3: Affordable housing should be treated the same as other housing types and be allowed in market-rate housing areas.

Fife: 1. Land Use Goal # 15: Become a more sustainable community with regard to universal

responsibility, interconnectedness, health, wellness of our people, our culture and our planet. 2. Parks and Greenway Goal 4: Provide a varied, interesting and evolving menu of recreational

activities, healthy lifestyles and cultural events that accommodate a spectrum of ages, interests and abilities and promote Fife’s identity and brand as a livable city. Policy 4.2: Emphasize service provision to children, teens, senior citizens, people with disabilities and other population groups with limited access to market-based recreation options. Policy 4.3: Promote and expand special events and recreational programming to enhance community identity, community activity and environmental education; incorporate the diversity of community festivals, events, movies in parks, community gardens, historical interpretation and other cultural activities into the brand of park and recreation services.

Fircrest:

1. Policy LU1.6: The city should support opportunities for shops, services, recreation and access to healthy food sources within walking or bicycling distance of homes, work places and other gathering places.

2. Policy CC1.1: Continue to provide community gathering places in recreation facilities and park sites throughout the city and encourage development of new community gathering places, especially in underserved areas of the community.

3. Policy CC1.2: Preserve, develop and enhance informal community gathering places, such as plazas, mixed use centers that include local cafes and coffee shops with comfortable outdoor seating, and spaces within parks. This can be accomplished by: • Requiring/providing seating opportunities with multi-seasonal amenities, such as canopies or

other cover from the elements and heating during periods of cooler temperatures; • Encouraging installation of art or water features; • Installing outdoor plantings and other landscape features • Providing visual access to sites; • Providing for active uses in the space; and • Promoting partnerships and implementing incentives where appropriate to create public

places, such as plazas in combination with outdoor cafes. 4. Policy CC1.5: Incorporate and provide opportunities for art in and around public buildings and

facilities. Encourage additional opportunities throughout the city for art as design elements or features of new development, as well as placement of significant art.

5. Policy CC2.2: Encourage and support a wide variety of community festivals or events, such as Fircrest Fun Days, the community Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Derby Days, reflecting the diversity, heritage and cultural traditions of the Fircrest community.

6. Policy CC2.3: Facilitate the continued development and support of a diverse set of inter-generational recreational and cultural programs and organizations that celebrate Fircrest’s heritage and cultural diversity, such as visual and performing arts, and an active parks and recreation program.

7. Policy CC2.4: Facilitate the development of a farmers’ market, community gardens and school gardens that increase residents’ access to fresh produce and other healthy food, support local and regional agriculture, and increase community interaction.


8. Policy CC3.1: Identify and establish distinctive gateways or entryways into the city, support neighborhood efforts to identify and maintain unique neighborhood entryways, and emphasize these locations with design elements, such as landscaping, signage, art or monuments.

9. Policy CC3.2: Encourage schools, religious facilities and other public or semi-public buildings to locate and design unique facilities to serve as community landmarks and to foster a sense of place.

10. Policy CC5.2: Ensure that complete street designs result in active urban streets, accessible public spaces, and safe and convenient linkages for all users, especially within the Mildred Street and 19th Street corridors and along Regents Boulevard.

11. Policy CC9.1: Encourage preservation, restoration, and appropriate adaptive reuse of historic properties to serve as tangible reminders of the area’s history and cultural roots.

12. Policy CC9.2: Incorporate features, such as interpretive signage and other elements reflecting original historic designs into park projects, transportation projects and buildings on historic sites, when feasible, as a means of commemorating past events, persons of note and city history.

Gig Harbor:

1. Policy 2.3.3: Housing Choice: a) Expand residential districts and code definitions to allow a broad choice of housing types,

locations and tenures.

b) Provide housing opportunities for varied types and ages of households to include single-

parent and two-parent families, individuals and the elderly.

c) To the extent appropriate, recognize social area specializations by household and age group

and provide public services which reflect the areas needs.

2. Goal 6.4: Maintain a "no net loss" policy toward affordable housing units. Policy 6.4.1: Discourage demolitions--Discourage demolition of existing smaller houses which

have a reasonable potential for being salvaged.

a) Consider fee waivers for building permits to renovate or repair existing houses. b) Consider high demolition permit fees with the proceeds applying toward other affordable housing programs in the Gig Harbor area. c) Support "existing use" tax assessment as opposed to taxation based upon speculative highest and best use. Policy 6.4.2. Mitigate effects of gentrification--Compensate market "sell up" of units (i.e., gentrification) with a corresponding supply of land available for affordable replacement units. a) Solicit the help of local real estate community to identify the number of units which sell for more than 30% of their previous purchase price or value. b) Assure that there is sufficient land area zoned for affordable-type development to compensate for loss of affordable units and for account for projected need. Policy 6.4.3: Monitor and assess the success in allocating the countywide housing needs to accommodate the 20-year population in conjunction with the County process established. a) In 2020, fund a housing needs assessment in coordination with the local housing authority that includes the following:

Analysis of housing needs for City residents based on age and special needs.

An estimate of housing needs by income groups.

Policy recommendations to increase rental affordability.


This assessment will provide additional information regarding housing needs for the 2023 Major Periodic Review of the Comprehensive Plan. b) Support the development and ongoing operations of supportive housing with appropriate services for people with special needs throughout the county and region.

3. Goal 6.5: Preserve Gig Harbor as a place to live for people of all occupations, incomes and abilities--To ensure adequate provisions of existing and projected housing needs for all economic segments of the community, a variety of housing types, sizes and values should be available. Housing should accommodate for each income group, individuals, single parents, small and large families as well as disabled individuals and seniors. Furthermore special housing accommodations should be allowed and encouraged for general needs. Policy 6.5.1: Accommodate group housing--Develop standards for senior citizen, foster care facilities, and group housing arrangements as permitted uses in designated zones. a) Consider defining maximum family size of unrelated individuals sharing a housing unit according to the ability of the structure to accommodate more persons:

Are there sufficient numbers of bedrooms to avoid overcrowding.

Is there adequate parking to meet the needs of licensed drivers within the facility. b) Redefine density standards to allow for higher numbers of single room occupancy units (SRO's) and increased numbers of beds in senior or group housing complexes. Policy 6.5.2: Encourage accessory units--Provide incentives to single family homeowners to build accessory units on their property, e.g, reduction or waiver of city fees. Policy 6.5.3: Address the relationship between employment and housing. The adopted 2030 total employment target for Gig Harbor according to the Pierce County 2014 Buildable Lands Report is 9,954. Our 2010 total employment estimate is 9,155 and from development currently underway 500 estimated jobs will be added bringing us to just under 200 jobs short of our 2030 goal. The Economic Development Element has further information on the relationship between employment and housing. Policy 6.5.4: Allow the transfer of City owned property for affordable housing needs Appropriate properties owned by the City of Gig Harbor should be considered to address affordable housing needs.

4. Goal 6.6: Support county-wide fair share housing allocations. Policy 6.6.1: Require fair share housing in new subdivisions or housing developments--Require new subdivisions or developments to provide a "fair-share" allocation of affordable housing within the subdivision or residential developments. a) Develop a per-lot formula which identifies the number of required affordable units within a subdivision or housing project. b) Assure that impact fees are assessed to encourage affordable housing rather than hinder it. Policy 6.6.2: Allow flexible zoning standards--Consider flexible zoning standards which encourage innovative development of affordable housing units including the following:

Housing units above or connected to commercial shops.

Allowances for Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing.

Studio apartments.

Accessory apartments.

Parks for full sized and "efficiency" sized manufactured housing units. Policy 6.6.3: Encourage conversions--Encourage the redevelopment of abandoned or blighted structures which could be converted to quality low-income or affordable housing.


Policy 6.6.4: Partner with affordable housing organizations--Partner with organizations capable of long-term consistent coordination of housing planning, design, development, funding, and housing management to help meet the affordable housing gap. Policy 6.6.5: Meet County-wide fair share affordable housing allocation--The City, in working with private and public entities, should satisfy the county-wide goal of 25% of our allocated growth with permanent affordable housing units by 2030. Policy 6.6.6. Inclusionary Housing Program--Implement an inclusionary housing program that incentivizes producing and preserving affordable housing in Gig Harbor, in alignment with the adopted goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. The inclusionary housing program, at a minimum, should include incentives for the following:

Tax relief for the inclusion of low-income housing units in mixed use or residential developments as allowed by state law.

Site appropriate incentives for accessory dwelling units in existing neighborhoods.

Allow higher density housing, including cottage housing, in preferred areas. Preferred areas include adopted CoLIs, and transition zones between higher intensity uses and single family development.

Additional incentives should include fee waivers from development or permitting costs, expedited permit review, and/or parking reductions.

Puyallup:

1. LU-7.4: Promote access to healthy food through urban agriculture activities including farmers markets, farmstands, community supported agriculture (CSA) drop‐off sites, community gardens, pea patches, school gardens, home gardens, and urban farms. a. Encourage the establishment of community gardens through use of vacant lots, or other opportunities where appropriate such as open space within new plats or on existing public lands. b. Identify opportunities and develop standards for urban agriculture allowances within residential neighborhoods. c. Support efforts to protect rural farmland and local access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

2. LU-14.3: Promote small‐scale neighborhood commercial activity areas within neighborhoods that encourage walkability and provide opportunities for employment and community interaction.

3. H-5.1: Establish market incentives to encourage private sector establishment of affordable housing to all people who work and desire to live in the City.

4. H-6.1: Encourage and support the development of emergency, transitional and permanent housing with appropriate on‐site services for persons with special needs.

5. CC-1.4: Promote the development of commercial uses that are visually attractive, compatible with the character of the community and natural environment, and which retain their own distinct sense of place.

6. CC-1.7: Outreach to residents to determine neighborhood identity in order to work towards the possible development of a Neighborhood Identity Plan or Placemaking Strategy.

7. DT-9.1: Coordinate with Main Street Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Valley Arts and other organizations in actively promoting downtown businesses, culture and other points of interest.

8. DT-9.2: Assist Main Street Association and other organizations to promote special events, including Farmer's Market, Meeker Days Festival and Daffodil Parade in the downtown.


Roy: 1. Policy CC2.1: Provide community gathering places in recreation facilities and park sites

throughout the city and encourage development of new community gathering places, especially in underserved areas of the community.

2. Policy CC2.2: Develop and enhance informal community gathering places such as plazas in mixed use centers that include local cafes and coffee shops with comfortable outdoor seating. This can be accomplished by: • Providing seating opportunities with multi-seasonal amenities, such as canopies or other cover

from the elements and heating during periods of cooler temperatures; • Encouraging installation of art or water features; • Installing outdoor plantings and other landscape features • Providing visual access to sites; • Providing for active uses in the space; and • Promoting partnerships and implementing incentives where appropriate to create public

places, such as plazas in combination with outdoor cafes. 3. Policy CC2.4: Incorporate and provide opportunities for art in and around public buildings and

facilities. Encourage additional opportunities throughout the city for art as design elements or features of new development, as well as placement of significant art.

4. Policy CC3.2: Encourage and support a wide variety of community festivals or events, such as the Hometown Heroes Community Day and Cleanup, Junior Rodeo, Pioneer Rodeos, 4th of July Parade with community potluck, and Christmas Tree Lighting and Open House, reflecting the heritage and cultural traditions of the Roy community.

5. Policy CC3.3: Facilitate the development of a farmers’ market, community gardens and school gardens that increase residents’ access to fresh produce and other healthy food, support local and regional agriculture, and increase community interaction.

6. Policy CC4.1: Identify and establish distinctive gateways or entryways into the city, support neighborhood efforts to identify and maintain unique neighborhood entryways, and emphasize these locations with design elements, such as landscaping, signage, art or monuments.

7. Policy CC6.1: Promote the conversion of SR507, originally designed primarily to move motor vehicles quickly, to a complete street that supports safe and convenient access for all users within a uniquely designed corridor that is visually differentiated from portions of this highway that are located outside of the Roy city limits.

8. Policy CC6.2: Ensure that complete street designs result in an active urban street, accessible public spaces such as a Town Commons, and safe and convenient linkages for all users along SR507.

9. Policy CC10.1: Encourage preservation, restoration, and appropriate adaptive reuse of historic properties to serve as tangible reminders of the area’s history and cultural roots.

10. Policy CC10.2: Incorporate features, such as interpretive signage and other elements reflecting original historic designs into park projects, transportation projects and buildings on historic sites, when feasible, as a means of commemorating past events, persons of note and city history.

11. Policy H2.1: Support and encourage innovative and creative responses, through the use of appropriate incentives, to meet Roy’s needs for housing affordability and diversity for a variety of household sizes, incomes, types and ages.

12. Policy H3.4: Encourage the development of housing affordable to low-to-moderate income households in a manner that reflects Roy’s unique demographic characteristics, comprehensive plan vision and policies, development and infrastructure capacity, location and proximity to job centers, local workforce, and access to transportation -- consistent with CPP AH3.2.1.


13. Policy H3.5: Achieve a minimum of 25 percent of the Pierce County 2030 growth population allocation for Roy through affordable housing, consistent with CPP AH-3.3.

14. Policy H3.8: Provide incentives to developers and builders of affordable housing for moderate- and low-income households -- consistent with CPP AH5.4.

15. Policy LU2.2: The mix of housing within the community should include single detached and attached dwellings, live-work units, multi-family dwellings, including townhomes and units located within vertical mixed use buildings, accessory dwelling units, residential care facilities for those who are unable to maintain independent living arrangements, and other innovative housing that is compatible with the type, scale and character of surrounding residential development.

Ruston: 1. CC-12: Homes should provide living space as the dominate feature of the street elevation. Front

porches, dormers, stonework/masonry, arbors, and architectural features should orient homes toward the street instead of garages. Garages should be accessed from alleys.

2. CC-13: Celebrate city history and small-town culture through public art, photos, plaques, festivals, celebrations and educational opportunities.

3. CC-16: Create an excellent pedestrian experience through the use of safely defined walkways, landscaping, architecture, and art. Pedestrian connections are important and should be required between all uses, encouraging a more walkable and healthful community.

4. CC-17: Promote consistency in design and support Ruston’s “sense of place” with the use of coordinated fixtures including: street lights; bollards; street signs (vertical lettering); pedestrian crossings; trash receptacles; manhole covers; and benches.

5. CC-18: Promote a “sense of place” for Ruston with the use of art, signage displaying historical information, and park and trail maps throughout the city.

6. CC-25: Ensure civic buildings and gathering places are prominently visible in character and location – unique from the vernacular architecture (i.e. additional building height or unique architecture) and fit – in with Ruston’s small-town character.

7. TR-8: Neighborhood Centers, including Prominent Parcels are important to Ruston’s sustainability and vitality and should be given high priority when funding improvements.

8. CC-15: Seek new locations for community gathering places such as a community garden. Explore the use of city parks and underdeveloped rights-of-ways.

9. TR-2: New development should occur in a fashion that utilizes the existing grid pattern of right-of-ways in Ruston. Development along the existing grid pattern will help maintain a walkable and enjoyable small-town environment as well as provide safe and efficient vehicle circulation.

10. TR-9: Street performance measures for the city should incorporate additional variables including assessment of enjoyable walkability and adequacy of bicycle facilities including bike lanes and bike parking to gauge the overall quality of service for Ruston’s streets.

11. TR-10: Street Typologies will be used as a set of best practices to support and guide the coordinated upgrade of the city’s streets including key pedestrian, bicycle, and on-street parking enhancements by both the City of Ruston and private development.

12. TR-11: Non-motorized and motorized modes of transportation are inclusive and not fundamentally separate. A street for cars is not fundamentally different from the street for other users. All streets should be “complete streets” and non-motorized improvements are considered requirements, not amenities. Therefore, funding for multi-modal improvements should be included in ‘mainstream’ transportation.


13. CC-23: Encourage low-impact infill development such accessory dwelling units by simplifying the permitting process. Provide architectural examples of accessory dwelling units that show good integration with the existing neighborhood.

14. CC-20: Support community-building events such as festivals and block parties by allowing temporary street closures.

15. HO-2: Provide flexibility in the city’s form based code to encourage a variety of housing types. 16. HO-4: Encourage transit-oriented developments in Ruston on appropriate sites as a means to

provide more affordable housing options. 17. HO-5: Retain and improve older housing stock when possible through private and public

opportunities. The volume of older homes offers more affordable options and is an important resource to Ruston’s neighborhoods. The mature housing stock contributes to the unique character and vibrancy of Ruston.

18. HO-7: Coordinate with and offer assistance to agencies that provide programs and services to needy households, special needs populations, and the homeless in Ruston.

19. HO-8: Achieve more affordable housing options in Ruston mainly through multifamily, accessory dwelling and live-work units.

20. HO-9: Consider density bonuses for new developments that include affordable housing. Steilacoom: 1. Policy QL 1.1: The Town should continue to promote a wide diversity of community activities,

educational opportunities, and cultural events suitable for all age levels. Examples include the Fourth of July celebration, concert in the park series, Town Clean Up, and various holiday activities.

2. Policy QL 4.1: The Town shall support public safety education for all its citizens. The Town shall cooperate with other agencies and organizations, including the Steilacoom Historical School District, to provide public safety education on a broad variety of topics including: CPR, first aid, bicycle safety training, emergency preparedness, fire prevention programs, home crime prevention, block watch programs, "Safe Place" and similar programs.

3. Policy QL 6.3: The Town shall continue its support for the Steilacoom Farmer’s Market, and encourage community access to agricultural, farmland, and aquatic uses that facilitate the production of fresh and minimally processed healthy foods.

Sumner:

1. Family and Human Services Element: Goal 4. Support programs and services that promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Policy 4.1: Promote and encourage the location of a grocery store in the central business

district.

2. Housing Element: Goal 2. Provide a range of housing types for all life stages and economic segments of the Sumner community. Policy 2.1: Strive to meet the City's fair share of housing needs by planning that 25% of the

growth population allocation is satisfied through affordable housing.

3. Community Character Element: Goal 1. Maintain and enrich Sumner's quality of life encompassed in its friendly, small town atmosphere. Policy 1.5: Encourage in the community a continuous commitment to maintaining Sumner's

character and quality of place, including land conservation and stewardship, wise management

of streetscapes and public viewsheds, property maintenance, and historic preservation.


Tacoma:

1. Policy UF–1.3: Promote the development of compact, complete and connected neighborhoods where residents have easy, convenient access to many of the places and services they use daily including grocery stores, restaurants, schools and parks, that support a variety of transportation options, and which are characterized by a vibrant mix of commercial and residential uses within an easy walk of home.

2. Policy DD–14.10: Design civic spaces to include public art and to highlight the culture of neighborhoods and diverse communities and enable and encourage opportunities for engagement by the community.

3. Policy DD–13.9: Encourage the adaptive reuse of historic community structures, such as meeting halls and places of worship, for arts, cultural, and community uses that continue their role as anchors for community and culture.

4. Policy DD–10.3: Encourage farmer's and neighborhood markets, including development of permanent structure markets and dedicated spaces for neighborhood markets, in all neighborhoods, to provide improved access to healthy foods and destinations in neighborhoods for people to meet.

5. Policy H–2.1: Foster inclusive communities, overcome disparities in access to community assets, and enhance housing choice for people in protected classes throughout the city by coordinating plans and investments with fair housing policies.

University Place:

1. Policy CC1A: Provide community gathering places in recreation facilities, parks and public plazas throughout the City and encourage development of new culturally sensitive community gathering places, especially in underserved areas of the community.

2. Policy CC2B: Encourage and support a wide variety of community festivals or events, such as Duck Daze, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Concerts in the Park, reflecting the diversity, heritage and cultural traditions of the University Place community.

3. Policy CC2C: Facilitate the continued development and support of a diverse set of inter-generational recreational and cultural programs and organizations that celebrate University Place’s heritage and cultural diversity, such as: • Visual, literary and performing arts; • An active parks and recreation program; and • The University Place Historical Society.

4. Policy CC2D: Facilitate the development of farmers’ markets, community gardens and school gardens that increase residents’ access to fresh produce and other healthy food, support local and regional agriculture, and increase community interaction.

5. Policy CC5E: Design and create trails, urban linear parks, sidewalks, bikeways and paths to increase physical activity and connectivity for people by providing safe, direct or convenient links between the following: • Residential neighborhoods; • Schools; • Parks, open spaces, greenbelts and recreation facilities; • Employment centers; • Shopping and service destinations; • Civic buildings and spaces; and • The Chambers Creek Properties, including the Chambers Bay Golf Course. Chambers Creek

Canyon, and the Puget Sound shoreline.


6. Policy HS3G: University Place should meet its affordable and moderate-income housing needs goal by utilizing a range of strategies that will result in the preservation of existing, and production of new, affordable and moderate-income housing that is safe, adequate and healthy -- consistent with CPP AH5. These include: • Supporting the use of techniques to preserve existing affordable and moderate-income

housing stock such as repair, maintenance, and/or rehabilitation and redevelopment in order to extend the useful life of existing affordable housing units -- consistent with CPP AH5.1.

• Seeking and securing state funds such as the Housing Trust Fund, and federal subsidy funds such as Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, and other sources to implement housing preservation programs -- consistent with CPP AH5.1.1.

• Promoting the use of reasonable measures and innovative techniques (e.g., clustering, accessory dwelling units, cottage housing, small lot developments and mixed use) to stimulate new higher density affordable and moderate-income housing stock on mixed-use- and residentially-zoned vacant and underutilized parcels -- consistent with CPP AH5.2, while ensuring compatibility with University Place’s character.

• Promoting affordable housing and ensure access to services and jobs by considering the availability and proximity of public transportation, governmental and commercial services necessary to support residents’ needs -- consistent with CPP AH5.3.

Policies Upholding “Prosperity: the Economy”

Prosperity and Health

“Prosperity” reflects a thriving and resilient economy built on a community’s diverse productive base with a wide range of capital assets (including human, cultural, natural and manufactured assets, such as building infrastructure), knowledge and institutions (such as businesses and other organizations) that contribute to economic activities and producing goods and services. Income and education are two major root factors barring people from achieving their maximum

potential, quality of life and good health. Research evidence concludes that poverty and poor health

are inextricably linked. Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of poor health. Poverty increases

the chances of poor health. People in a neighborhood with 6% more poverty than another can

expect to live for one less year (Urban Institute (2015)xi; Marmot M. (2002)xii; David A. Kindig,

(2012)xiii). Creating a vibrant economy, strengthening our workforce, and encouraging a positive

formal and informal learning environment can address health disparities, and improve physical and

social wellness. This will eventually help reduce the cost of health care and other social services.


“Economic” policies aim to improve the economic, market and working conditions, economic

activities, income and wages, property values, and attract workforce and local businesses.

Auburn:

1. Core Plan Land Use Policy #6: Develop downtown Auburn into a safe, walkable community, that as attractive public plazas and buildings, and an engaging streetscape through planning, regulation, and capital improvements.

2. Land Use Element Policy #LU-15: Home occupations, bed and breakfasts, day cares, and other appropriate uses should be encouraged as viable accessory uses.

3. Economic Development Element Policy #ED-19: Support workforce development programs to help all Auburn residents find stable, well-paying employment in a wide range of industries.

Bonney Lake:

1. Policy CD-2.5: Allow home occupations in Bonney Lake residences, if impacts are mitigated and the business does not alter residential character of the neighborhood.

2. Policy EV-1.1: Recruit business enterprises that will provide residents with employment wages at or above county median income levels.

3. Policy EV-1.2: Encourage institutions of higher education to create online or satellite educational and training programs that are readily available to Bonney Lake citizens, or within reasonable commuting distance.

Buckley:

1. Goal 3.1: Promote, develop, and enhance a strong and sustainable economic climate. Policy 3.1.1: Focus on the health of existing businesses through public awareness campaigns and

local business promotions.

Policy 3.1.2: The city’s regulations should provide the following to enhance sustainable economic development:

Economic disincentives for vacant buildings.

Overlay district design standards for each commercial area, one for east/west-bound SR 410, one for the area adjacent to northeast-bound SR 410, and one for the historic district.

Procedures that are as streamlined as possible and still follow state requirements. Policy 3.1.4: The city should provide brochures that highlight its landmarks, parks, businesses, and other places of interest. Policy 3.1.5: A park kiosk should be placed in a plaza near Main Street for business owners to use. Policy 3.2.5: Support installation of signs at our three city entrances that advertise the types of businesses that are available. Policy 3.2.6: Partner with the business community to assist in the development and maintenance of signs for businesses within the Main Street downtown core. Policy 3.2.8: The city should pave, sign, and advertise public parking areas for business activities. Policy 3.3.1: Improve business signs at the end of the SR 410 corridor and at the intersection of SR 410 and Main Street.


Policy 3.3.2: The city should use marketing themes such as trains, logging, farming, and/or elk in art, architecture, and amenities at parks. Policy 3.3.4: Maps of local points of interest in and around Buckley should be available for business owners to hand out; the maps should contain business advertisements and locations. Policy 3.5.3: Consider the city’s “small-town attributes” in the design and of and review of how businesses function. Site plan reviews should include a review of vehicle and pedestrian flow, pedestrian and/or open space amenities, vegetative screens around parking lots, storefront windows along the street, and buildings closer to the highway separated by only two rows of parking. Policy 4.1.3: Enhance business vitality through storefront visibility and transparency and by allowing commercial activity to spill out onto the sidewalk. New construction should have large picture windows to show off merchandise inside. Policy 6.3.4: Use the foothills trail, particularly between Main Street and Ryan Road, as a Center of Local Importance (CoLI) to provide businesses, residential uses, recreational activities, and public services. Policy 6.5.3: The city should work with groups such as the Chamber of Commerce to ensure trail routes and park configurations enhance the local business atmosphere. Policy 3.2.1: Home-based businesses should be encouraged when they are compatible with

residential neighborhood character.

Policy 3.4.1: Jobs and businesses that are compatible with the community should be identified

and programs developed to attract these jobs and/or programs to Buckley.

Fife:

1. Economic Development Goal: Improve the local economy meeting the needs of local residents and businesses and providing for a sustainable tax base.

Policy 1: Strategically coordinate economic development planning efforts and establish partnerships with other economic development organizations.

Implementation 1.1 Work with other public agencies and private interests, including the Economic Development Board (EDB), Port of Tacoma, Chamber of Commerce, Washington State Departments, and others to coordinate resources, programs, promotions, information tools, and other materials to recruit and successfully locate new business interests in Fife.

2. Land Use Goal 6: Conserve Agricultural Land. Policy 6.1: Maintain agricultural regulatory requirements and provisions for the purpose of supporting the continued agricultural activities in the Fife Urban Growth Area.

3. Land Use Goal 4: Provide for a wholesome neighborhood-like atmosphere in residential areas and provide recreational opportunities for residents.

Policy 4.6: Allow home occupations in residences provided that the uses do not adversely affect the residential character of the neighborhood. Fircrest:

1. Policy LU6.1: Fircrest should encourage development of new businesses and expansion of existing businesses to help meet the retail and service needs of Fircrest’s residents. New businesses should be recruited to the City to expand and diversify the City’s employment base.

2. Policy LU8.1: The city should support incubator or start-up small-scale light industrial uses in appropriate locations within the Commercial Mixed Use areas. Support activities pursued by individuals that fit under the maker movement umbrella in appropriate locations while ensuring


that sensitive land uses located in close proximity to such businesses are protected from potential impacts.

3. Policy LU14.1: Foster a supportive environment for business startups, small businesses, and locally owned businesses to help them continue to prosper.

4. Policy LU14.3: Promote economic activity and employment growth that creates widely shared prosperity and sustains a diversity of family wage jobs for Fircrest’s residents.

5. Policy LU14.7: Concentrate economic growth in Fircrest’s Commercial Mixed Use District in a manner that is coordinated with economic growth and infrastructure development within the adjacent University Place Regional Growth Center, Tacoma’s James Center Mixed Use Center and Tacoma Community College in order to strengthen the local and regional economy and promote economic opportunity.

Gig Harbor:

1. Policy 7.1.1: Job Creation-- a) Help create employment opportunities within the local economy, particularly for residents

who now commute across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to work. Participate with other public

agencies and private interests in marketing projects, labor force training programs, and other

efforts to attract new businesses to Pierce County and Gig Harbor Peninsula area.

b) Determine reasonable jobs-to-housing balance by coordinating land use and development

policies to help achieve the designated balance of adequate affordable housing near

employment centers.

c) Encourage the redevelopment of declining commercial areas through a variety of incentives

such as reduced fees for permits or utility connections and the consideration of waivers from

land use performance standards, as appropriate.

d) Meet the 2030 employment target allocation established by the Pierce County Buildable

Lands Report for Gig Harbor (shown in Table 1) of 9,954 jobs.

2. Policy 7.2.1: Small Business Development-- Encourage local business development opportunities, particularly for small start-up business concerns which may be owned by or employ local residents. Promote the local use of special small business financing and management assistance programs. Help identify facilities which may be used for small business start-ups including older structures which may be suitably reused for business purposes.

3. Policy 7.2.3: Financial Programs--Help local private groups structure special improvement districts including parking and business improvement authorities, local improvement districts, or other programs necessary to the effective revitalization of older business and commercial areas of the city. Participate in special public/private ventures when such ventures provide public benefits and are appropriate to the long-range goals of the city.

4. Policy 7.2.5: Home Based Occupations and Businesses--Provide reasonable guidelines and standards for the siting of home-based businesses (home occupations) in residential neighborhoods. Insure that home-based businesses do not alter or impact the residential character of neighborhoods.

Puyallup:

1. LU-14.1: Allow and maintain performance standards for small‐scale “home‐based” businesses (home occupations) in residential areas provided they do not detract from the residential character of the area.


2. LU-26.2: Encourage and provide for the marketing of local agricultural products through such avenues as the Puyallup Farms Market and roadside stands.

3. ED-1.2: Coordinate with the Economic Development Board of Pierce County and the Pierce County Economic Development Department on any retention visits to Puyallup companies, as well as on all joint business recruitment projects.

4. ED-1.3: Support and assist the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce, the Puyallup Main Street Association and other entities on efforts to support local commerce and business opportunities.

Roy: 1. Policy LU3.2: Roy should encourage development of new businesses and expansion of existing

businesses to help meet the retail and service needs of Roy’s residents. New businesses should be recruited to the City to expand and diversify the City’s employment base.

2. Policy LU3.6: The visual appearance of commercial areas should be improved through public and private measures for beautification, implementation of design strategies, maintenance, and streetscape improvements. Commercial and mixed use buildings should conform to Western Design Overlay standards and other design guidelines to encourage architectural consistency and compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods. Where commercial rehabilitation, development, or redevelopment occurs on a property with historic significance, it should be sensitive to the historic fabric of any buildings, the site and the surrounding area. New larger-scale commercial and mixed use development should incorporate landscaping, seating, and other pedestrian-supportive amenities to provide pleasant and comfortable resting, socializing, and picnicking areas for employees and shoppers.

Ruston:

1. EV-3: Encourage programs, in conjunction with other public, quasi-public and private entities in order to attract appropriate businesses and industries, particularly those that diversity the economic base and/or provide family-wage jobs; fostering a supportive environment for business startups, small businesses, and locally owned businesses to help them continue to prosper.

2. HO-8: Achieve more affordable housing options in Ruston mainly through multifamily, accessory dwelling and live-work units.

3. LU-13: Encourage affordable housing in appropriate areas where there is convenient pedestrian access to local stores and services. Affordable housing development should not distract from established small-town atmosphere of the community or block defined scenic view corridors.

4. LU-9: Development should provide for adequate infrastructure including telecommunication facilities and multi-modal linkages to support the concept of live-work units and “live, work, play” in Ruston.

5. CC-21: Help preserve Ruston’s small-town character by encouraging cottage industries or live-work units where employees work from home offices or shops.

6. EV Goal: To provide the opportunity for the Point Defiance farmers’ market to expand up onto Winnifred Street. Winnifred Street could be closed allowing vendor booths to be located in the median park and also within the on-street parallel parking spaces. This would provide a continuous farmers’ market extending from 51st Street down to Point Defiance Park.

7. LU-6: Provide opportunities for shops, services, recreation, and access to healthy food sources within walking or bicycling distance of homes, workplaces and other gathering places.


Steilacoom: 1. Policy QL 6.3 The Town shall continue its support for the Steilacoom Farmer’s Market, and

encourage community access to agricultural, farmland, and aquatic uses that facilitate the

production of fresh and minimally processed healthy foods

2. Policy Econ 1.5. Home occupations that are consistent with the character of adjoining properties

and neighborhoods shall be permitted.

3. Policy Econ 2.6. The Town shall support efforts to assist small and start -up businesses.

Sumner:

1. Economic Development Element: Goal 4. Encourage small businesses as a vital part of the City's economic framework. Policy 4.1: Allow for home occupations within residential zones consistent with the residential

character.

2. Economic Development Element: Policy 5.10: Work with downtown stakeholders and the

Sumner Downtown Association to develop and implement a detailed downtown "Main Street"-

based revitalization strategy addressing organization, design, economic restructuring and

promotion.

3. Economic Development Element: Subpolicy 13.4: Seek innovative ways to support agriculture

through business development, buy local programs, and flexible zoning.

Tacoma:

1. Policy EC–2.2: Encourage investment in, and alignment of, public efforts to reduce racial, gender, ethnic and disability-related disparities in income and employment opportunity.

2. Policy EC–2.8: Encourage educational institutions and related organizations to develop programs that prepare veterans of all levels to successfully transition into the civilian workforce.

3. Policy EC–1.8: Encourage the establishment and expansion of commercial businesses that produce goods locally, increase local spending and provide needed goods and services to local residents and businesses in Tacoma.

4. Policy EC–1.9: Encourage the development of specialty businesses that reflect the diverse ethnic and cultural groups of the Tacoma community.

5. Policy EC–5.3: Maintain and enhance the social and cultural amenities of the City (such as attractive public spaces, historic building inventory, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and art galleries) to help attract creative, artistic, skilled, and innovative people (the creative class) to the Tacoma community.

University Place:

1. Policy LU8F: Encourage development of new businesses and expansion of existing businesses. The City should work with the private sector, Chamber of Commerce and others to identify issues and opportunities for providing a supportive environment for small business.

2. Policy LU8G: Recruit new businesses to the City to expand and diversify the City’s employment base including living wage jobs. Plan ahead to support changes in employment opportunities as the economy changes.

3. Policy LU8I: Support the City’s Economic Development Strategic Action Plan, which provides a framework of actions designed to stimulate economic development over seven year periods.

4. Policy LU8K: Allow small-scale “home-based” businesses (home occupations) in residential areas provided they do not detract from the residential character of the area.


5. Policy LU9C: Support incubator and small-scale light industrial uses in appropriate locations within the City’s Regional Growth Center. Support activities pursued by individuals that fit under the maker movement umbrella in appropriate locations while ensuring that sensitive land uses located in close proximity to such businesses are protected from potential impacts.

Policies Upholding “Planet: the Natural Environment”

Planet and Health

Planet refers to the natural environment comprising land, water, atmosphere and their natural resources, including ecological systems (living and non-living) that enable people and prosperity to exist. Clean air, water and land support viable natural systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and climate change impacts. A healthy environment can reduce many chronic diseases, including heart (cardiac) and lung (respiratory) diseases. Contact with nature improves both physical and mental health (Cornell University Department of

Design and Environmental Analysisxiv; University of Minnesota (2014)xv; The National Academies

Press (2002)xvi). Access to natural areas and open spaces can enhance tranquility, and relieve anxiety

and depression. Health studies have shown that contact with nature — with plants, animals,

pleasing landscapes, and wilderness — offers a range of medical benefits, including lower blood

pressure and cholesterol levels, enhanced survival after a heart attack, and more rapid recovery

from surgery. In children with attention disorders and in teens with behavioral disorders, contact

with nature has resulted in significant improvement.

“Environmental” policies aim to improve air, water, land, and natural resources by reducing traffic, greenhouse gas effects and climate impacts.

Auburn:

1 Core Plan Land Use Policy #5: Identify commercial, residential and recreational destinations that should be joined by paths and trails with the overall goal of creating a citywide non-motorized transportation network that is fully connected.


2 Core Plan Capital Facilities Policy #10: Sustainable development practices will be incorporated into capital facility project design and construction. The City will support and implement efforts to promote climate action objectives by using low impact development techniques, energy and water conservation measures, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

3 Core Plan Transportation Policy #5: Create a pedestrian and bicycle network linking neighborhoods, activity centers, and popular destinations, and promote walkable, bike-able connections to transit service.

Bonney Lake:

1. Policy ES-7.6: Promote the preservation of native vegetation and mature trees, revegetation, and appropriate landscaping to improve air and water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.

2. Policy CM-7.4: Establish an integrated transportation system with connectivity to the regional transportation system and to the local street networks in adjacent communities, which safely and conveniently accommodates all users: motorists, pedestrians, bicyclist, and transit riders.

3. Policy CFS-6.14: Where possible, use trails to link parks, open spaces, schools, community facilities, sidewalks (see Mobility Element), and other agencies’ trials, such as the Pierce County Foothills Trail.

Buckley:

1. Goal 6.3: Park trails and connections. Trails should link recreation areas, neighborhoods, schools, commercial areas, civic areas, historical areas, and other destinations and serve all citizens. Policy 1.1.5: The city should identify open space corridors within and between urban growth areas, including lands useful for recreation, wildlife habitat, trails, and connection of critical areas. Policy 1.5.2: Development in the city should promote livability through the following:

Developers should provide connections to pedestrian trails and/or sidewalks;

Development should limit stress factors such as noise, traffic, and damage to existing ecology. Policy 1.6.4: Plazas and open space should be provided to link trails with commercial areas. Policy 1.7.2: The city may require additional land for improvements to roadways, pedestrian walkways, trails, and access to open space areas. Policy 1.8.2: Coordinate park activities with economic development activities to develop a coherent plan that links parks and trails to economic development. Policy 1.8.6: Connect parks, schools, recreation areas, and open spaces through trails and sidewalks. Policy 6.1.1: The city should develop land along the White River as a waterfront trail with areas of park amenities to enhance and display the city’s wildlife corridors, trails, urban forest, and regional utilities. Signs discussing the wildlife, wetlands, soils, flora, and fauna should be placed for citizens to appreciate the natural world within their city. Policy 6.3.1: The city should connect Buckley’s trails with surrounding regional trails. The city should promote a connected and coordinated open space system to recreation areas by way of trails, paths, and other travel corridors that separate vehicular and non-vehicular transportation where feasible.

2. Goal 2.6: Encourage open space dedication and green building techniques in new construction. Policy 2.6.1: Encourage using green buildings by increasing lot coverage minimums or providing economic incentives.


Fife: 1. Land Use GOAL 15: Become a more sustainable community with regard to universal

responsibility, interconnectedness, health, wellness of our people, our culture and our planet." Policy 15.1: Reduce the impact of climate change globally and locally by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other climate-changing greenhouse gases (GHG) in Fife. Policy 15.3: Encourage more compact development and “complete streets” to provide options for residents and businesses to reduce the City’s need for fossil fuels and provide opportunities for non-motorized modes of transportation to improve public health and safety, and provide for multiple environmental benefits.

Policy 15.4: Encourage low-impact development techniques that can reduce the consumption of

resources, increase rates of material reuse, recycling, preserve existing soils and vegetation to

improve public health and safety, and provide for multiple environmental benefits.

2. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Goal 1: Acquire and develop a high-quality, diversified system

of parks, recreation facilities and greenways that is attractive and safe and provides equitable

access to all residents.

Policy 1.1: Proactively seek parkland identified within this Plan, in both developed and

undeveloped areas, to address gaps in the geographic distribution of parkland and secure

suitable locations for new parks and greenways to serve future residents.

3. Parks, Recreation and Open Space Goal 3: Develop a high-quality system of shared-use trails that connect recreational facilities with developed neighborhoods and business centers in coordination with the City’s system of sidewalks and bicycle facilities.

Policy 3.3 Expand the system of off-street trails by utilizing greenways, parks, utility corridors and critical areas as appropriate.

4. Transportation Goal 5: Maintain an environmentally sustainable transportation system, addressing sensitive habitat corridors, and air quality requirements.

Policy 5.1: Ensure that the City's development regulations preserve existing habitat corridors values and functions and require enhancement of disrupted habitat corridors. Fircrest:

1. Policy LU10.1: The city should support development of green infrastructure in order to improve the capacity of, and complement the services provided by, the city’s natural systems as future land use becomes more intense to accommodate growth. Recognize green infrastructure as a capital/public asset. Support efforts to preserve, enhance and expand the community’s inventory of green infrastructure, including but not limited to: • Natural areas, such as critical areas and portions of public lands that are monitored and

maintained by citizen stewards; • Community gardens; • Rain gardens and other natural stormwater management facilities; and • Native habitat areas.

2. Policy LU11.8: In accordance with EPA Phase II Western Washington Municipal Stormwater Permit directives, the city shall require Low Impact Development (LID) in areas where soils and geology support it.

3. Policy CC5.4: Design and create trails, urban linear parks, sidewalks, bikeways and paths to increase physical activity and connectivity for people by providing safe, direct or convenient links between the following: • Residential neighborhoods;


• Schools; • Parks, open spaces, greenbelts and recreation facilities; • Employment centers; • Shopping and service destinations; and • Civic buildings and spaces.

4. Policy T1.1: Create a transportation network that includes vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle and transit components located throughout the City -- and connecting to adjacent communities -- to provide for the safe, efficient, convenient and reliable movement of people, goods and services.

5. Policy T1.2: Develop and implement complete street design standards to provide safe and convenient access for all modes of transportation, which will support pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and motorists, thereby increasing capacity, increasing safety, and improving street aesthetics and walkability. Include amenities in street designs, including trees and other landscaping, street lights, benches and waste receptacles to add to the pedestrian experience and further calm traffic.

6. Policy T1.3: Employ Context-Sensitive Design techniques in transportation projects that take into consideration aesthetics, historical and cultural elements, the environment, and other aspects of community character, while ensuring safety and accessibility.

7. Policy T2.2: Design and build complete streets with facilities for all modes of transportation. Connect residential neighborhoods to commercial mixed use areas and public transit with sidewalks, paths and bike lanes to provide greater access to transportation choices for those who do not drive and those who have limited mobility resources.

8. Policy T3.2: Protect the quality of life in residential neighborhoods by monitoring traffic volumes and developing comprehensive, integrated and cost-effective traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements in residential areas. Such improvements may include sidewalks and pathways to connect to schools, parks, and transit stops. Additional improvements may include signage, bicycle facility and street improvements that include traffic calming design elements.

9. Policy T3.6: Use traffic circles, landscaped medians, pedestrian bump-outs and other traffic calming measures to reduce speeds and increase safety. Where appropriate, design these facilities to provide pedestrian refuge areas that reduce pedestrian crossing distances, reduce conflict points and enhance streetscape landscaping. Use other traffic calming measures that offer pedestrian protection such as on-street parking, or increase driver awareness of pedestrians through the use of textured pavement and signage.

10. Policy T4.2: Seek opportunities to obtain private easements or use existing public rights-of-way or public easements to develop alternative routes or improved linkages between residential areas or from residential to parks and commercial mixed use areas. Work with property owners to create well-lighted pedestrian paths in established areas with poor connections. New pathways should tie into a network of walking trails and help improve pedestrian facility connectivity, thereby encouraging physical activity and overall health and well-being.

11. Policy T5.1: Use transit as a way to provide for access, circulation and mobility needs in Fircrest. Work with Pierce Transit to support the provision of local transit service on Major, Secondary, and Collector Arterials providing feeder service to residential areas and connections to adjacent jurisdictions. Local transit service should be expanded to serve the entire community including underserved neighborhoods and those individuals with special needs.

12. Policy T6.1: Require sidewalk facilities on all new and substantially redeveloped public streets to enhance public safety. Ensure the provision of sidewalks in close proximity to schools to offer protection for children who walk to and from school. Assign high priority to projects that provide linkages to transit or complete planned pedestrian facilities or trails. Provide pedestrian facilities on non-arterial streets to supplement principal pedestrian facilities located on arterials.


Ensure that crosswalks, signing, and pedestrian-activated signals conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

13. Policy T6.2: Develop a system of bicycle routes that connects neighborhoods and is coordinated with surrounding jurisdictions to allow people to conveniently travel between and within neighborhoods and local parks, commercial mixed use areas and regional facilities. Consider the recommendations of the Town of Fircrest Comprehensive Bikeway Plan when updating bicycle route system facilities. Coordinate the planning, design, and construction of these facilities with adjacent jurisdictions to ensure consistency with regional plans. Base the design and type of bicycle facilities on the design standards for the functional classification of the roadway.

14. Policy T6.3: Require that during the project review process for new development or redevelopment: • Projects are consistent with applicable pedestrian and bicycle plans, master plans and

development standards; • Planned facilities include required frontage and crossing improvements consistent with

applicable pedestrian and bicycle plans; • On-site bicycle trails and pedestrian facilities have formal, direct and safe connections

between buildings and subdivisions and the general circulation system; • New subdivisions and short plats include, consistent with state law, the required pedestrian

facilities (frontage and off-site improvements) that assure safe walking conditions for students who walk to and from school;

• Construction and implementation of other multi-use trails and trail crossings, as described in the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan, are coordinated with project review; and

• Safety and security considerations for pedestrians and bicyclists are factored into the review of development proposals.

15. Policy T12.1: Enhance strategies that improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The City should build complete streets with sidewalks and bike lanes, coordinate with transit agencies, and build green streets to improve air and water quality. The City should support the development of infrastructure to encourage the use of electric and low emission vehicles by including electric vehicle charging stations in new and substantially redeveloped public facilities. As electric and low emission vehicle technology advances, the City should revise its regulations to encourage use of this technology.

16. Policy T12.2: Adopt design standards to improve water quality and create more appealing streetscapes. Emphasize the use of landscaping elements in street improvement projects that help curb stormwater runoff – bioswales, planters, rain gardens, and street trees – and that are mutually beneficial for mobility and ecology. Design these green elements to be deterrents of crashes and injuries and contribute to a more comfortable and visually interesting environment for all users. When designing complete streets, include trees and other plants to clean runoff and manage stormwater at the site. Use traffic-calming elements like traffic circles, chicanes, islands, and curb extensions to provide site opportunities for bioswales, street trees, and rain gardens.

17. Policy T13.1: Identify gaps in bike lanes and sidewalks and opportunities for pathway and trail connections between neighborhoods and to parks and schools to encourage greater pedestrian facility use and reduce reliance on automobiles. Support the construction of improvements to trail systems to provide connections between parks and neighborhoods for walkers and cyclists.

18. Policy T13.2: Design, build and maintain bike lanes, sidewalks, paths and trails to expand opportunities for walking and biking to improve individual and community health. Provide transportation facilities that are walkable and bicycle friendly to improve economic and living conditions so that businesses and skilled workers are attracted to the community.


19. Policy T13.3: Concentrate population and employment growth along the Mildred and 19th Street corridors and other areas served by transit routes to reduce environmental impacts associated with growth and the construction of additional infrastructure. Integrate transportation and land use planning to meet environmental goals by reducing the impacts of the transportation system such as contaminated storm water run-off, greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution and energy consumption.

Gig Harbor:

1. Goal 5.1: Respect the Natural Environment-- Maintain a harmonious relationship between the natural environment and proposed future urban development. Develop, implement and enforce exacting performance and development standards governing possible developments within land or soil areas which are subject to moderate and severe hazards. Policy 5.1.1: Tributary Drainage-- Protect perennial streams, ponds, springs, marshes, swamps, wet spots, bogs and other surface tributary collection areas from land use developments or alterations which would tend to alter natural drainage capabilities, contaminate surface water run-off or spoil the natural setting. Policy 5.1.2: Stream and drainage corridors-- Enforce buffer zones along the banks of perennial streams, creeks and other tributary drainage systems to allow for the free flow of storm run-off and to protect run-off water quality. Policy 5.1.3: Floodplains-- Protect alluvial soils, tidal pools, retention ponds and other

floodplains or flooded areas from land use developments which would alter the pattern or

capacity of the floodway, or which would interfere with the natural drainage process.

Policy 5.1.4: Dams and beaches-- Enforce control zones and exacting performance standards

governing land use developments around retention pond dams, and along the tidal beaches to

protect against possible damage due to dam breaches, severe storms and other natural hazards

or failures.

Policy 5.1.5: Impermeable soils-- Protect soils with extremely poor permeability from land use

developments which could contaminate surface water run-off, contaminate ground water

supplies, erode or silt natural drainage channels, overflow natural drainage systems and

otherwise increase natural hazards.

Policy 5.1.12: Wetlands--Preserve, protect, and/or restore wetlands associated with the city’s

shorelines to achieve no net loss of wetland area and wetland functions.

Policy 5.1.13: Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas--Protect, maintain and enhance fish

and wildlife conservation areas within their natural geographic distribution so as to avoid the

creation of subpopulations.

Policy 5.1.14: Functions of shoreline vegetation--Conserve or restore shoreline vegetation where

new development and/or uses are proposed in order to maintain shoreline ecological functions

and processes provided by native vegetation.

2. Goal 5.2 Conserve Natural Resources and Activities-- Conserve and protect natural areas within the environment to provide a continuing place for wildlife which are representative of the area's ecological heritage. Protect harbor, agricultural and timber production activities which produce a valued natural and economic product, and which reflect the area's historical origins. Enforce exacting performance standards governing possible land use developments on lands or sites which may be planned to include wildlife.


Policy 5.2.2: Agricultural resources-- Although agricultural lands of long-term commercial

significance have not been identified within the City's urban growth area, those rural lands

outside of the UGA should not be considered for inclusion into the 20-urban growth area. Those

rural lands in the Crescent Valley area should not be considered for any urban services until the

year 2010.

Policy 5.2.6: Wetland wildlife habitat-- Protect lands, soils or other wetland areas which have

prime wildlife habitat characteristics. Promote use of site retention ponds, natural drainage

methods and other site improvements which conserve or increase wetland habitats. Incorporate

or implement the standards adopted in the Washington State Administrative Guidelines for the

identification and protection of critical wildlife habitat, as appropriate.

Policy 5.2.7: Woodland wildlife habitat-- Protect lands, soils or other wooded areas which have prime woodland habitat characteristics. Promote use of buffer zones, common areas, trails and paths, and other innovative concepts which conserve or increase woodland habitats. Incorporate or implement the standards adopted in the Washington State Administrative Guidelines for the identification and protection of critical wildlife habitat, as appropriate.

3. Goal 11.3 Through the City's permit process, require when possible, new development to support and enhance the pedestrian environment to promote healthy lifestyles and active commercial areas. Policies 11.3.1: Require pedestrian friendly design features (including but not limited to

placement of new buildings, on-site walkways, and pedestrian scale site features) on new

developments to promote active healthy lifestyles wihtin the community.

Policy 11.3.2: Require non-residential developments to provide common areas (such as town

squares, plazas, or pocket parks) proportional to size of the development and the impact on

existing park infrastucture to serve the recreational needs of employees and customers.

Encourage these spaces to be used as the focus of commercial and civic buildings.

Puyallup:

1. LU-35: Promote and encourage new development to minimize impervious coverage, native vegetation loss, and stormwater runoff, and make low impact development (LID) the preferred and commonly used approach to site development.

2. NE-3.5: Conserve and protect environmentally critical areas from loss or degradation. Maintain as open space hazardous areas and significant areas of steep slopes, undeveloped shorelines and wetlands.

3. NE-6.6: Locate public facilities outside of the 100-year floodplain unless needed to serve development within areas characterized by urban development or because efficiencies from locating near existing public facilities already within the 100-year floodplain would clearly outweigh the risk of damage to the facility.

4. NE-6.11 Limit impervious surfaces citywide to reduce the possibility of flooding, to protect the environment, and to allow for groundwater recharge as appropriate for the specific needs of particular neighborhoods and urban centers.

5. NE 10.8 Recognize trees as a green infrastructure. Design city capital improvement projects to preserve existing trees and integrate new trees and other vegetation to the maximum extent possible. Design city capital projects in a manner which will promote diverse, sustainable tree plantings that will balance the need to protect other city infrastructure with healthy tree canopy. Strive to integrate innovative vegetation demonstration projects in city capital projects.


6. NE-11.6 Address Puyallup’s contribution to climate change by, at a minimum, committing to comply with state initiatives and directives regarding climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gases.

7. NE-11.7 Include analysis of climate change impacts when conducting environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

8. NE-11.8 Promote the reduction of greenhouse gases by encouraging conservation, the use of alternative energy sources and reducing vehicles miles traveled by increasing alternatives to driving alone. Consider the implementation of a complete streets ordinance to ensure city capital projects will integrate and promote multi-modal transportation options to the extent feasible.

9. T-4.3 Develop a comprehensive active transportation circulation plan and implementation program to enhance community access and promote healthy lifestyles.

10. P-4.2 Promote the development of a non-motorized circulation system providing access to park and recreation facilities.

11. P-4.7 Promote a network of off-street trails using natural open space areas, parks, utility corridors, and other features. This network can be supplemented with on-street connections where needed to create a system of trail loops throughout the city.

Roy: 1. Policy CC6.3: Design and create trails, urban linear parks, sidewalks, bikeways and paths to

increase physical activity and connectivity for people by providing safe, direct or convenient links between the following: • Residential neighborhoods; • Schools; • Parks, open spaces, greenbelts and recreation facilities; • Employment centers; • Shopping and service destinations; and • Civic buildings and spaces.

2. Policy P1.6: A community-wide trail system should be developed that serves the recreational needs of pedestrians and bicyclists as well as the need for local transportation alternatives to the automobile. The trail system should incorporate links to all neighborhood parks and other recreational facilities.

3. Policy P1.8: To ensure walkability and accessibility, the city should support the provision of convenient access to a park with a play structure, an open space area, or a trail within ½ mile of all residents.

4. Policy LU8.8: The city should encourage Low Impact Development (LID) in areas where soils and geology support it.

5. Policy T1.2: Develop and implement Complete Street design standards to provide safe and convenient access for all modes of transportation including private motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, and transit (when it becomes available in the community), thereby increasing capacity, increasing safety, and improving street aesthetics and walkability. Include amenities in street designs, including trees and other landscaping, street lights, benches and waste receptacles to add to the pedestrian experience and further calm traffic.

6. Policy T3.6: Use landscaped medians, pedestrian bump-outs, roundabouts and other traffic calming measures to reduce speeds and increase safety. Where appropriate, design these facilities to provide pedestrian refuge areas that reduce pedestrian crossing distances, reduce conflict points and enhance streetscape landscaping. Use other traffic calming measures that offer pedestrian protection such as on-street parking, or increase driver awareness of pedestrians through the use of textured pavement and signage.


Ruston:

1. TR-1: Support Sound Transit in planning and realizing an extension of light rail service to Ruston and the Destination Point Defiance area when updating Transportation Plans for Ruston; Tacoma; and Metro Parks Tacoma.

2. LU-26: Require public and private open space suitable for active and passive recreation such as plazas, parks, trails, natural areas, rooftop gardens, private patios, verandas, and porches be integrated into the design of all new development. When physical open space cannot be provided the city may consider a fee in-lieu of. Funds would be used to acquire or improve existing or future recreational opportunities.

3. LU-27: Actively seek opportunities to secure and improve open space for the purposes of providing recreational opportunities to the Ruston community.

4. LU-28: Work with Metro Tacoma Parks and the City of Tacoma to provide recreational opportunities within city boundaries and connections to Tacoma’s recreational facilities and Point Defiance Park.

5. LU-4: Encourage sustainable development of both public and private lands and right-of-way in Ruston through the use of techniques, such as green building and green infrastructure.

6. LU-5: Encourage infill development on suitable vacant parcels and redevelopment of underutilized parcels. Ensure that height, bulk, and design of infill and redevelopment projects are compatible with their surroundings.

Steilacoom:

1. Policy QL 5.11 The Town shall strive to meet State mandates on climate change, the reduction of greenhouse gases, and support for alternative energy sources.

2. Policy LU 1.5. The Town shall encourage physical activity through the installation of walking paths, sidewalks, and bicycle paths in residential neighborhoods.

3. Policy PROS 2.8. The Town will seek to establish a contiguous trail system throughout Town.

Sumner:

1. Environmental Element. Policy 2.2: Minimize the potential for loss of life and damage to public and private investments resulting from flooding along the White (Stuck) and Puyallup Rivers.

2. Environmental Element. Policy 3: Protect and enhance unique, valuable, and critical plant and wildlife habitat and promote bio-diversity.

3. Parks and Open Space Element. Policy 2.2: Adopt an urban forestry program to encourage the preservation and planting of trees on public and private property.

Tacoma:

1. Policy DD–12.1: Ensure that new building and site development practices promote environmental health and ecosystem services, such as pollutant reduction, carbon sequestration, air cooling, water filtration, or reduction of stormwater runoff.

2. Policy DD–11.2: Limit development in or near areas prone to natural hazards where practicable, using the most current hazard and climate change‐related information and maps.

3. Policy EN–1.3: Consider the impacts of climate change and the risks to the city’s environmental assets in all phases of planning, programming and investing.

4. Policy EN–1.6: Direct development activities away from critical natural features such as steep slope areas and unstable soils, wooded areas, shorelines, aquatic lands and other unique and high value natural areas when planning for growth.


5. Policy EN–1.25: Develop management plans for each of the City’s watersheds. Evaluate the current conditions of the watersheds in Tacoma and use the findings to inform decisions about future land use, stormwater planning and urban forest and open space management

6. Policy EN-4.29: Strive to achieve a citywide tree canopy cover of 30 per cent by the year 2030 (“30-by-30”).

University Place:

1. Policy EN3K: Protect and enhance the natural green and wooded character of University Place. Retain an abundance of mature trees and a healthy understory to maintain community identity and contribute to a healthy environment by cleaning the air, producing oxygen, reducing surface water run-off, providing wildlife habitat, absorbing sound and masking noise, and reducing energy costs through shading and windbreak functions.

2. Policy EN3L: Encourage preservation of significant trees and planting of new trees in locations that allow normal growth patterns, support energy conservation and complement view access, light, privacy and safety needs. Plant deciduous trees where summer shade, winter solar gain, and seasonal change will be beneficial or desired. Plant evergreen trees where year-around beauty, visual screening and noise buffering are desired. Require street trees along all new and substantially modified arterial, collector and local streets.

3. Policy LU10C: Develop a system of distinctively designed pedestrian, jogging, and bicycle trails throughout the City that will connect to regional trail systems. Support additional recreational trails and pedestrian linkages between existing parks and other areas of the City to enhance public enjoyment of natural features and benefit transportation mobility and circulation.

4. Policy LU10E: Identify and preserve wildlife habitat, historical, unique geological and archeological resources as open space and natural areas. Ensure that environmental safeguards are in place and enforced. Provide educational materials to the community that foster respect for and encourage preservation of open space and natural areas that possess inherent value to the community.

5. Policy TR6A: Require sidewalk facilities on all new and substantially redeveloped public streets to enhance public safety. Ensure the provision of sidewalks in close proximity to schools to offer protection for children who walk to and from school. Assign high priority to projects that provide access to the City’s Regional Growth Center, provide linkages to transit, and complete planned pedestrian facilities or trails. Provide pedestrian facilities on non-arterial streets to supplement principal pedestrian facilities located on arterials. Ensure that crosswalks, signing, and pedestrian-activated signals conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

6. Policy TR12A: Enhance strategies that improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The City should continue to build complete streets with sidewalks and bike lanes, coordinate with transit agencies, and build green streets to improve air and water quality. The City should develop infrastructure to encourage the use of electric and low emission vehicles by including electric vehicle charging stations in new and substantially redeveloped public facilities. As electric and low emission vehicle technology advances, the City should revise its regulations to encourage use of this technology.

i Sample policies are extracted from the 2015 adopted comprehensive plan updates of 13 local jurisdictions who received Tacoma-Pierce County Health Departments’ Healthy Communities Award in 2016. ii Lawrence Frank, et al (2006). Many Pathways from Land Use to Health: Associations between Neighborhood Walkability and

Active Transportation, Body Mass Index, and Air Quality.


iiiHugh Barton (2009). Land Use Planning and Health and Well-being.

iv Project for Public Space. What if we built our communities around places?

v New Castle County. Healthy Communities and Placemaking.

vi Corporation for Supportive Housing (2014). Housing is the Best Medicine.

vii Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2011). Housing and Health.

viii America’s Essential Hospitals (2014). The Social Determinants of Health: Homelessness and Unemployment.

ix Smart Growth America. Complete Streets Promote Good Health.

x Todd Litman. (2016). If Health Matters: Integrating Public Health Objectives in Transportation Planning.

xi Urban Institute (2015). How are Income and Wealth Linked to Health and Longevity?

xii Marmot M. (2002). The Influence of Income on Health.

xiii David A. Kindig. (2012). The Link Between Income and Health.

xiv Cornell University Department of Design and Environmental Analysis. How Natural and Built Environments Impact Human

Health. xv

University of Minnesota (2014). How Does Nature Impact Our Wellbeing? xvi

The National Academies Press (2002). Human Health and the Environment in Southeast US: Human Health and the Natural Environment.

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