The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections is recommending the Seattle City Council pass legislation to adopt Mayor Katie Wilson’s plan for “Shelter Acceleration” in the city.
“This bill allows for the expansion of an already authorized use and does not modify where
shelters are allowed or otherwise reduce health and safety standards,” the report (PDF) reads. “It does not modify any other permitting regulations, such as setbacks and screening requirements.”
“Without accelerated action, hundreds of new microshelter units will be delayed,” it concludes.
The council’s Land Use and Sustainability Committee is scheduled to finalize amendments and possibly vote on the bill Wednesday morning.
CHS reported here on the proposal for expanding Tiny House Villages as council members pushed for amendments they say are shaped to help address public safety concerns. One brought to the table by council president and District 3 representative Joy Hollingsworth on behalf of Councilmember Maritza Rivera would restrict larger Tiny House Villages in the city from being placed near parks and schools, putting the proposed emergency shelters in the same category as pot shops and strip clubs.
A joint amendment from Dionne Foster and Debora Juarez would require operators of any of the new, larger villages to develop a public safety plan “with required elements” and authorize a Community Advisory Committee “to advise on public safety plan implementation.”
A separate proposal from Hollingsworth would add a requirement for an operator to enter into a “Good Neighbor Agreement” and “prescribes minimum communication and public safety protocols that must be included in the GNA.”
According to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections recommendation, the mayor’s plan would create more than 500 new beds across the city’s existing Tiny House Villages.
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