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UPDATED 03/13/10  We just won a major victory when the City Hearing Examiner threw out the developer’s application to put houses on the golf course. But it’s complicated, and it’s not over.

The Examiner has full authority over routine land use issues. The developer requested approval of a site plan, a preliminary plat, some variances and some exemptions, and the Hearing Examiner denied every last one of them. But it’s not over because the developer and the owners have appealed to Superior Court. SaveNETacoma has intervened in this appeal to make the case that the denials should be upheld.

And there is big issue remaining with City Council.  The developer also applied for a rezone modification to remove the current requirement that the golf course must remain a golf course or open space. Without this rezone modification the development is stopped dead. Only the City Council can approve or disapprove rezone modifications. The Hearing Examiner’s job, in this case, is to make a recommendation to the City Council, and he recommended the rezone modification be denied. But the developer and the owners appealed that recommendation. Again, we intervened. Both sides will argue this issue at the City Council meeting April 13th. A big turnout is important to show the City Council we want them to keep the golf course as a golf course or open space.

But all decisions can be appealed. If, or better when, the City Council votes against the developer and owners, we expect them to appeal to Superior Court. We plan to intervene again in this appeal, or, if we lose, to appeal on our own. Either way, we are headed for Superior Court.

In football terms, we’re in the red zone but we haven’t scored.

We need your attendance at the City Council meeting on April 13, and we need your continued financial support. 

 
Updated 10/17/09 -  The hearing before the City of Tacoma Hearing Examiner is complete.  The Examiner will review the information presented by the City, the Applicant and SaveNETacoma Attorney and Citizens, making a recommendation to the City Council to either allow the rezone and application or reject the rezone and application.  We expect a decision in November or December of this year.  The final vote will go before the newly elected City Council.  It is very important we elect council members who support our cause.  It is our expectation the Examiner will decide the NE Tacoma major design element is the golf course and it's open space and make a recommendation to save our community and our neighborhood.
 
Update 05/04/2009 - The City of Tacoma has released the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.  We have 45-days to make public comments
 
Update 02/05/2009 - Superior Court Judge Russell Hartman has granted the City of Tacoma's motion for summary judgement.  The North Shore Concomitant Zoning Agreement (CZA) and The Open Space Taxation Agreement  (OSTA) are binding and enforceable by the City of Tacoma. - HURRAY! - 
 
As we expected Save NE Tacoma members were not allowed to join the action as third party beneficiaries.  It is our orginzations belief the neighborhoods and homes around the course were built and developed as a "golf course" community, therefore we as a community are parties to the CZA and OSTA.  We will be asking the judge to review the decision based on this fact and will appeal if needed.
 
A request may be presented to the Tacoma City Council allowing the owners and developer to remove our open space and develop the course.  It is our intention to hold the City and it's elected officials accountable to the CZA and OSTA agreements signed by prior councilmembers. 
This is where we need you help -
 
WHAT CAN EACH OF US DO -
1.  Make sure you have signed up for email notifications from Save NE Tacoma 
2.  Be prepared to voice your concerns and opinions to City Officials  
3.  We will need voices in upcoming City Council meetings and during public forums,
 we ask that you show your support and join us.
5.  We should not contact council members at this time - hold your opinions until public forum or open comment periods. 
6.  We encourage you to make comments regarding the current plan 
- see the update from 9/3/08 for details -
7.  Make contributions to our legal fees. 
 
We have won 2/3 of this battle and need to see this through the end. 
 
Update 10/25/08 - Thanks to everyone's quick action the city planning departmented acknowledged the error in notification process and the recommended changes to the PRDs will be reviewed and prepared in early 2009.  Public comment can still be made to the city regarding changes to PRD and the overall comprehensive plan.  SaveNETacoma members will be meeting again with city officials to offer recomendations to the plan as they pertain to NE Tacoma and our community.
 
Updates 9/3/08 - A Public Hearing was held by the City of Tacoma Planning Commission.  In the hearing changes to the City Comprehensive Plan were reviewed.  These changes will be presented to the City Council in October to be placed into law.  Public comment was taken at this hearing and public comment is open until Friday September 12, 2008. 
 
 
 
 
Update 10/25/08 - Still in progress. Rumors around Sound Built Homes and their finacial situation continue to circulate and have not stopped this process. 
 
Update 6/27/08:  The City estimates the Determination of Significance to be completed by January of 2009. 
 
Update 6/2/08 - City of Tacoma's Determination of Significance is estimated to be completed by the end of this summer.
At that time there will be a 30 day Public Comment Period
 
Update 5/19/08 - Tacoma Hearing Examiner, Wick Dufford upheld the City of Tacoma's request for a Determination of Significance (DS) with regards to Northshore Investors' application.  This ruling supports the cities request that supplemental studies will be required for aesthetics and zoning of the golf course. The developer will not be allowed to submit their own studies and must rely on outside sources.  
GREAT NEWS FOR SAVENETACOMA!
 
 
 
 
 
- Save NE Tacoma Members allowed to join Declaritory Judgement -
 
Update 10/25/08 - City of Tacoma and SaveNETacoma Legal team continue to prepare for court hearing.
 
Update 6/27/08  -  Court date set for January 21, 2009.
 
Update 5/16/08 - Judge Hartman has allowed Save NE Tacoma Board Members to join the City in the Declaritory Judgement - Trial set for January 2009
 
Update 4/18/08 - Motion was heard by Judge Hartman.  Ruling will be
announced May 2, 2008.  Declaritory Judgement hearing scheduled for October 2008.
 
Updated 4/14/08 - Judge Russell Hartman will hear our motion to join the City of Tacoma lawsuit.  The motion will be read on Friday April 18th in Kitsap County.  The Declaritory Judgement Hearing will be in October or September of 2008 in King County
 
Updated 2/14/08- On the advice of legal council SaveNETacoma has filed to join the City Tacoma in this lawsuit
 
 
The City of Tacoma has filed a lawsuit against the developers behind a plan to turn the North Shore Golf Course into an 860-unit mix of houses and townhouses.

The city argues that two agreements from 1979 and 1981 restricting the use of the golf course remain valid, despite claims to the contrary by the Northshore Investors. The lawsuit asks for a ruling declaring the course off-limits to development without the city's consent, and ordering the developers to stop denying they are bound by the restrictions.