​Concept

The Centers and Corridors concept builds on the historic land use pattern and supports the development patterns described in the community plans. The key components to enhancing these areas include:

Compact, High-Density Communities

• Establish centers along major transportation corridors that will develop into compact communities. 
• Between centers, overlay the area within ¼ mile on either side of the corridors with a density of 12+ units per acre to create land use patterns and densities that will support transit.

Transportation Options

• Develop pedestrian and bicycle paths throughout the corridor connecting to centers.
• Focus on ensuring connections from residential areas to goods and services for everyday needs.
• Seek ways to serve the corridors with short-interval local transit for shopping and commuter trips, and express service to regional connections such as the Puyallup and Lakewood transit stations.

Target Infrastructure Investments

• Focus infrastructure expenditures to support increased density and transit services within these areas.
• Centers should be the primary recipient of investments while Corridors would be improved with support infrastructure.

History

The four community plans already contain policies directing growth to mixed use centers and along major transportation corridors. The community plans were all adopted at different times and did not have the opportunity to look at the area as a whole. The draft Centers and Corridors framework you are reviewing has considered and built upon the existing policies of the community plans. The map below shows the existing zoning pattern and the area being considered under the draft Centers and Corridors proposal.

Existing Zoning Map with 1/4 Mile Radius Overlay

Land Use Designation

The Towne Center (TCTR) land use designation applies to areas along the major transportation corridors that are characterized as a local focal point of the community, or have a draw that consistently attracts a variety of users. The designation is limited to a walkable boundary. Areas designated as a Towne Center are a high priority for investments.

Towne Centers allow for a variety of high-density multifamily uses, access to goods and services for residents’ everyday needs, and leisure activities. Towne Centers should be a hub for activity and offer a variety of options to residents within walking distance of their residence. Connections to nearby parks and recreation opportunities are a priority.

Center Locations

Land Use Designation

The Corridor (COR) land use designation applies to areas along the major transportation corridors that are not designated Towne Center. This designation is intended to create links between Towne Centers and offer transit-supportive densities and complimentary uses. As opposed to Towne Centers, Corridors allow for more auto-oriented uses and a wider variety of housing densities, and are not as high of a priority for investments. The Corridors should complement and supplement the Centers as areas for more housing and employment opportunities and activities not available in or compatible with Centers.

Corridor Locations

Allowed Uses and Density

Urban Corridor

The Urban Corridor zone promotes transit-supportive residential densities while still allowing a market for auto-reliant and more land-intensive commercial between Centers.  The Urban Corridors should connect Centers and contain supportive uses not available in Centers.

Employment Corridor

The Employment Corridor zone is intended to attract jobs-based industry and offices.  The Employment Corridors are intended to break up areas of residential and commercial with larger employers, particularly on Corridors intended for freight movement, such as Canyon Road East. Job creation in the Employment Corridors should help alleviate the need for residents to travel outside the area.

Neighborhood Corridor

The Neighborhood Corridor zone is intended to help buffer lower density residential neighborhoods from higher intensity areas along the Corridors. Neighborhood Corridors are able to develop at slightly higher densities than typical single-family zones and allow for some neighborhood-scale services and amenities for residents in walking distance.

Mobility

How people get around the Centers and Corridors is a significant part of making these areas successful. The proposal identifies ways to improve the flow of traffic on the major transportation corridors and increase the types of and access to transportation modes through the Corridors. The goals and approach for each type of transportation mode are outlined below:

Pedestrian

Bicycle

Transit

Automobile

Design

The overall look and feel is dictated by design. Each community will influence the design of their Centers and Corridors. The framework identifies general objectives that are important for successful design. The communities will determine the specifics through this process.

Centers

Corridors

Investments

Both public and private investment will be necessary to implement the vision for Centers and Corridors. Centers will be the primary recipients of investments to encourage development, while Corridors will receive investments to create connections and improve movement through the Corridors to the Centers.

Centers

Corridors