Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
06/30/09: Holy Spirit Lutheran Church (10021 NE 124th St) and SHARE/WHEEL have submitted a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) application to the City's Planning & Community Development Department to establish the homeless encampment known at Tent City 4 (TC4) on church property. The application seeks to have the encampment locate on church property beginning August 1 through October 31, 2009.
As part of the application process, the church must hold an informational meeting on July 9, 7 p.m.
Zoning Regulations
The City of Kirkland Zoning Code regulates the use of land, including temporary uses. A Temporary Use Permit (TUP) allows a use to be conducted, on a short-term basis, which would not otherwise be allowed in the zone in which it is located. Temporary uses may include homeless encampments, community festivals and fresh vegetable stands. A TUP is an administrative permit that is decided by the Planning Director (Director).
Following receipt of the TUP application, the City will mail a Notice of Application to property owners within 500 feet of the church property and residents or tenants adjacent to the property. The Notice will be mailed within 14 days before the Director’s decision is made and will be published in the Seattle Times at least seven days prior to the Director’s decision. The same property owners will receive a Notice of Decision four days following the decision. There is a 21 day appeal period following the decision. Appeals may be filed with King County Superior Court.
Homeless Encampment Standards
In 2006, the City adopted regulations specific to homeless encampments. The amendments require that a “Managing Agency” and “Sponsor” be identified on the TUP application. The Managing Agency and Sponsor may be the same entity. The maximum stay allowed per code is 92 days.
The Managing Agency for TC4 is SHARE/WHEEL, a combined advocacy agency of the Seattle-Housing and Resource Effort (SHARE) and the Women’s Housing Equality and Enhancement League (WHEEL). The Managing Agency is responsible for organizing and managing the homeless encampment.
As the Sponsor, Holy Spirit will be responsible for providing basic services and support of the TC4 residents and liaison with the community. The City’s code requires that the host (Holy Spirit) hold a public meeting at least 14 days prior to the encampment locating in the City. The meeting was held on September 17.
City representatives will attend the public meeting to answer questions about the permitting process and public safety.
The following standards must be met in order for the homeless encampment TUP application to be approved:
- The TUP application must include a local church or other community-based organization as a sponsor or managing agency.
- The encampment shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from the property line of abutting properties containing residential uses.
- Sight-obscuring fencing is required around the perimeter of the encampment unless the Planning Director determines there is sufficient vegetation or other site conditions that could function as fencing.
- Exterior lighting must be directed downward and contained within the homeless encampment.
- The maximum number of residents is 100.
- Five parking spaces must be provided.
- A transportation plan is required and must include transit services.
- The encampment must be located within ½ mile of transit service.
- Children under 18 years of age are not allowed. If a child under 18 attempts to stay, the managing agency shall immediately contact Child Protective Services.
- No animals are permitted, except for service animals.|
- A code of conduct is required to be enforced by the Managing Agency and must have, at a minimum, the following requirements:
- No drugs or alcohol
- No weapons
- No violence
- No open flames
- No loitering in the surrounding neighborhood
- Quiet hours
- The Managing Agency must comply with Washington State and City codes concerning, but not limited to, drinking water connections, human waste, solid waste disposal, electrical systems, and fire-resistant materials.
- The Managing Agency shall take reasonable and legal steps to obtain verifiable identification from prospective residents and use the identification to obtain sex offender and warrant checks from the appropriate agency.
- The Managing Agency must also comply with all requirements imposed by the Kirkland Police Department related to identified sex offenders or prospective residents that have arrest warrants.
- The Managing Agency must allow the City and/or Public Health Seattle-King County to conduct daily inspections to ensure compliance with the homeless encampment standards.
Public Safety
The Kirkland Police Department (KPD) has the duty to minimize impacts when large scale events occur within the City. If the TUP is approved and the encampment relocates to Kirkland, the KPD, as it has done with previous TC4 encampments, will conduct daily area checks and checks in the encampment. Officers will familiarize themselves with TC4 residents, particularly the encampment’s security team. TC4 has a Code of Conduct that, in the City’s experience, has been effectively and efficiently enforced. Residents found to violate the Code of Conduct are ejected from the encampment.
Persons wanting to enter the encampment and current residents are required to provide valid identification. Sex offender and arrest warrant checks are conducted on persons wanting to enter the encampment. KPD is contacted when a resident is expelled from the encampment or when someone is denied entry to the encampment.
As it has with previous TC4 encampments, the City will assign an Inspector from the Fire & Building Department to conduct regular inspections of the encampment to ensure compliance with the TUP conditions of approval.
Contact Information
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 10021 NE 124th Street, Kirkland, WA
425-823-2727
http://www.hslckirkland.org
City of Kirkland Planning & Community Development Department
123 5th Avenue, Kirkland, WA
425-587-3225
http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/Planning.htm
Previous TC4 Encampments in Kirkland
- Kirkland Congregational Church, 106 5th Avenue, February – May, 2005,* February-May, 2008
- Lake Washington United Methodist Church, 7525 132nd Avenue NE, May– August 2005.*
- Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, November, 2008-February, 2009
*Note: These encampments were approved under previous zoning regulations. New regulations for homeless encampments were adopted in February, 2006. Email
tentcity@ci.kirkland.wa.us , if you wish more information about previous TC4 encampments in the City of Kirkland.
LINKS
• TUP Permit Application Process flowchart
• Kirkland Zoning Code
• A Regional Coalition For Housing (ARCH)
• Committee to End Homelessness in King County
• Eastside Human Services Forum (425-587-3324), "The Face of Homelessness in East King County" - a plan to end homelessness.