Gig Harbor: Housing Plan
Gig Harbor is nearing completion of its Comprehensive Plan, a 20-year roadmap mandated by Washington State to manage anticipated population growth. Community Development Director Eric Baker presented the draft plan to the City Council on March 24th, outlining strategies for housing development through 2044. The city has experienced significant growth, doubling its population since 2010, particularly in Gig Harbor North. The draft plan identified five key "Centers of Local Importance" as suitable for increased high- and medium-density housing: Gig Harbor North, Finholm, downtown, Kimball, and Westside. These areas, according to Baker, possess the necessary services like transit, shopping, and sidewalks to support denser development and encourage pedestrian activity.
Westside, anchored by the Uptown Gig Harbor shopping center, benefits from existing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Gig Harbor North, home to major employers like St. Anthony’s Hospital and the YMCA, along with large retail stores, is traversed by the Cushman Trail and features pocket parks the city aims to preserve. Downtown serves as a community and cultural hub with pedestrian accessibility and seasonal transit. The Finholm District offers a historic waterfront character with small-scale retail and the Harbor History Museum. Kimball acts as a transportation hub near State Route 16, hosting the Civic Center, a community college campus, a park-and-ride, and a hotel, generating substantial pedestrian traffic.
The draft plan proposed significant increases in allowed density and housing types within these five areas, prioritizing them for infrastructure and service improvements. However, the downtown and Finholm areas are expected to accommodate less growth due to infrastructure limitations and a desire to maintain downtown's historic character, addressed specifically in "The Harbor" section of the plan. This section emphasizes walkability, view preservation, and design standards that complement existing architecture.
While the specific housing types for each area weren't detailed, a chart indicated target housing units for different zones by 2044. A point of contention arose regarding a 13-acre parcel in Gig Harbor North, zoned General Business (B-2), which currently allows six dwelling units per acre. The Comprehensive Plan initially proposed increasing this to 32 units per acre. This area adjoins the single-family neighborhood of Henderson Bay Estates, and dozens of residents voiced strong opposition, citing concerns about traffic strain, lack of pedestrian access, potential crime increase, and lowered property values.
Following extensive public comment at the March 24th meeting, the City Council voted to amend the draft plan. A motion was passed to change the land use designation for the contested parcel to Medium Density Residential (R-2), reducing the target density to 6-12 units per acre. Subsequently, the council unanimously voted to remove the area west of State Route 16, including the 13-acre parcel, from the Gig Harbor North priority area for increased housing and services. These amendments will be incorporated into the final plan slated for adoption on April 14th.
Gig Harbor is mandated to add 892 housing units by 2044 under House Bill 1220, including 567 affordable units for low-income earners. Recognizing the existing housing affordability challenges, where a third of households are cost-burdened and the median home value has soared, the city aims to create a regulatory environment that encourages the construction of more affordable multi-family and "missing middle" housing types. One potential tool under consideration is a multi-family tax exemption (MFTE) program, offering tax breaks to developers who incorporate affordable housing into their projects. The City Council held a study session on the MFTE program in March and will further discuss it at their April 28th meeting.