Development News for Tacoma, Washington

Health Impact Assessment Highlights Disparities and Recommends Improvements for PAC-AV Sub-Area Plan

The Planning Commission received an update on the Pacific Avenue (PAC-AV) sub-area plan's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a Health Impact Assessment (HIA). The HIA, conducted by the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, identified health disparities within the PAC-AV study area, including higher rates of people of color, lower English proficiency, poverty, disability, and lack of vehicle ownership compared to Pierce County overall. These disparities correlate with higher emergency room visits for asthma, increased cancer rates, higher mortality, and poor birth outcomes. The HIA assessed the walking and biking experience, noting issues with sidewalk quality, safety, and urban heat islands due to low tree canopy. It also evaluated preventive health infrastructure and services, highlighting limited access to primary care, mental health providers, and pharmacies, exacerbated by transportation barriers and insurance affordability. The HIA provided 42 recommendations, prioritizing 15, including implementing Vision Zero countermeasures, developing anti-displacement strategies, defining preventive health infrastructure as public benefit use, using local income indexes for affordable housing, reducing pollution exposure by locating sensitive uses away from roadways, and exploring expanded Medicaid non-emergency benefits. Commissioners discussed the impact of the Fred Meyer closure on food and pharmacy access, the need for equitable service distribution, and the importance of activating side streets. Staff also presented a roadmap for the sub-area plan process through the end of the year, including public release in August and a public hearing in September, and assigned 'homework' to commissioners to review three land use alternatives and reference materials on zoning districts and building typologies. Discussions also touched on the potential for an employment district in Fern Hill, with a need for further consultation with economic development agencies to assess marketability.