Burien planners begin work to make temporary encampment rules permanent under new state law

Burien Planning Commission members on Jan. 8 received a staff introduction to proposed permanent rules for temporary encampments after the city adopted an interim zoning ordinance Dec. 9 to comply with House Bill 1754.

Senior planner Chase Gatson said the presentation was intended to “bring you up to speed on what happened at the end of the year for the interim zoning ordinance related to this topic and get us ready to follow the normal procedures for adopting permanent provisions.” The state law requires cities to allow temporary encampments on property owned or controlled by religious organizations, and Gatson told the commission the draft ordinance follows the statute while adding local permit and safety conditions.

The nut graf: The draft converts the interim approach into a permanent permitting path that combines a temporary use permit, a memorandum of understanding between the city and the host organization, public notice and a neighborhood meeting, and inspections and conditions tied to public-safety codes. The schedule discussed at the meeting calls for a city council public hearing on the current interim ordinance on Jan. 13 and for the Planning Commission to review draft permanent provisions in coming weeks so the council can adopt rules (or extend the interim ordinance) before the six-month deadline.

Key provisions and standards

Gatson summarized the four encampment types the ordinance addresses: tent encampments (outdoor), temporary small homes (tiny homes or pallet shelters), indoor overnight shelters (for example at houses of worship), and safe-resident vehicle parking. He said the draft mirrors statutory limits for duration and some design standards: tent encampments and safe parking would be allowed up to six months in a calendar year (with a required three-month…