120 new apartment units near South Tacoma mega

A new proposed development not far from the mega-warehouse set for South Tacoma could bring 120 apartments, according to early preliminary plans.

The project is up for a critical areas verification review to determine "the presence or absence of critical areas and their buffers," according to an updated land-use notice posted by the City of Tacoma.

Critical areas, according to the city's website, include wetlands, streams, habitat conservation areas, aquifer recharge areas and "geologically hazardous areas," among others.

The site address for the initial review is listed as 5206 S. Mason Ave.

The notice added, "This verification does not permit development. Separate land use and development permits will be required for possible future multi-family residential development."

Page 1 of land use Mason Street apartments Tacoma

Contributed to DocumentCloud by Debbie Cockrell (The News Tribune) • View document or read text

Earlier in the week, a land-use notice described a six-building apartment project for the 4.44-acre property, a collection of parcels near the corner of South 52nd and South Tyler streets and near South Mason Avenue.

Bridge Industrial's warehouse complex planned on an approximately 150-acre property at 5024 S. Madison St. is just east of the location.

Shanta Frantz, who is part of the city's Land Use and Zoning team, explained via email that a technical glitch sent out an incorrect initial public notice description. Frantz clarified "that this application is only for the critical areas verification request. The rest of the description (apartment plans provided in the earlier land use notice) is what the developer may apply for in the future, depending on the outcome of the critical area verification decision."

The apartment plans initially call for six buildings that would include five, three-story apartment buildings and a leasing office.

It noted that redevelopment of the six parcels would include removal of the existing residences "and structures within the eastern parcels and construction of five apartment buildings, access roads, parking facilities, stormwater infrastructure and associated infrastructure across the subject property."

The project could be proposed via the Residential Infill Pilot Program 2.0 if an application is submitted, Frantz noted.

City of Tacoma's website describes the infill pilot program as promoting "innovative residential infill while ensuring that such infill demonstrates high quality building and site design that is responsive to and harmonious with neighborhood patterns and character."

Maria Lee, media representative for the city, confirmed the land-use notice was regarding the critical area verification, "which means no development is being approved at this time," she wrote via email.

She said the review "allows the City to review the applicant's critical area reports and confirm location of critical areas on the property."

She added that "upon completion of this process, the applicant intends to apply for the necessary permits to construct a total of 120 units in 6 buildings, also to include parking and necessary infrastructure."

There are no renderings for the site filed with the city, according to Lee.

The developer "will need to apply for a Conditional Use Permit under the Residential Infill Program and at that time we will have more information," Lee noted.

Part of the property at one time was home to a local welding specialty business, according to a records search.

The parcels listed for the project sold to DPS LLC, with a Tacoma address, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with five of the parcels purchased for $1.5 million in August 2021 and a sixth parcel purchased for $275,000 about a month later, according to county records.

An initial pre-application for the project was filed with the city in January 2022, according to related records tied to the current land-use filing.

An attorney listed as the contact in the LLC's annual reporting documents filed with the state did not respond to a request for comment.

A written decision on the critical areas review will be issued "after staff members have completed their reviews and the City has received public comments," according to Lee.

The project's comment period runs until 5 p.m. June 20. The proposal is listed online at wspdsmap.cityoftacoma.org/website/PDS/LandUse/. Use the permit number (LU23-0080) in the search field on the right-hand side of the map.

Comments for LU23-0080 can be mailed to Shanta Frantz, senior planner, 747 Market St., Room 345, Tacoma, WA 98402, or call 253-260-0769, or email [email protected].