Tacoma's Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee will hear virtual staff briefings on the city's Renewable Natural Gas Facility and its Right-of-Way Design Manual on Wednesday.

The Right-of-Way Design Manual governs how streets, sidewalks, stormwater systems, street lighting, and landscaping are built within Tacoma's public right-of-way. It applies to city projects and private development alike, meaning any homeowner or developer building within the right-of-way must follow its standards.

The city updated seven chapters of the manual in October 2025, covering street design, permitting, stormwater, water plans, and tree management, according to the city's Public Works website. Several other chapters on street lighting, traffic signalization, and channelization have not been revised since 2016 or 2018.

Brennan Kidd, assistant division manager in Public Works Transportation, and Chris Johnson, manager of Planning and Development Services, will present Wednesday's update. Both led the 2024–2025 revision process, which included public comment and review by the Tacoma Permit Advisory Group in June 2024.

The city has not publicly released the memorandum attached to Agenda Item 26-0534. Whether Wednesday's briefing concerns further amendments, a new update cycle, or adoption of remaining chapters is not clear from available records.

No staff memo or presentation materials have been posted for Agenda Item 26-0533. Four Environmental Services staff members will present: Matt Torrey, P.E., engineer; Teresa Peterson, engineer; Dominic Greco, business services manager; and Nathan Crain, senior business services analyst.

For context, the Tacoma City Council on Tuesday, June 23, adopted Resolution RES41943, awarding a $1,005,289 contract to Clean Energy for preventive maintenance of compressed natural gas fueling station equipment. That contract, funded from the Solid Waste Fund, could total $1,105,818 over five years with optional renewals. Whether that fueling station is connected to Wednesday's agenda item has not been confirmed.

Residents can submit written comments to [email protected] at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Virtual attendees can join via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/87829056704 (passcode: 614650) and raise their hand by pressing *9 on phone. Residents needing accommodations should call the City Clerk's Office at 253-591-5505 at least 24 hours in advance.

The committee's next scheduled meeting is July 22, when it will take up stormwater discharge permits on tribal land and a PFAS treatment evaluation.