Richland council adopts six‑month moratorium on siting secure community transition facilities

Richland staff and council members approved a six‑month moratorium on siting less restrictive alternative facilities that would house people civilly committed as ‘‘*** violent predators,’’ saying the pause will allow regional coordination and public engagement.

City planning staff presenter Shishel framed the issue under state law, telling the council that essential public facilities are listed in the Washington Administrative Code and that ‘‘cities cannot preclude essential public facilities.’’ He described secure community transition facilities as residential, supervised placements for people conditionally released from secure confinement and said cities can adopt reasonable siting standards so long as they do not amount to a preclusion.

Shishel recommended the moratorium to give the city and the region time to discuss whether new local rules are needed and said there are no pending applications in Richland: "So it's a proactive conversation," he said, adding the council would hold a public hearing on April 7 at 7 p.m.

Council member Meyer said he supported the moratorium while acknowledging the need for transitional housing, and called for stronger coordination with state agencies after recent controversy in Kennewick: "I'll start out by saying I support this moratorium, despite the fact that I recognize the need for transitional housing ... the moratorium is a good idea for a couple of reasons," Meyer said.

City Manager Amundsen and other council members said a regional approach and additional research would be useful; no city applicants for this use are known at this time. Mayor Richardson moved to adopt the resolution and the motion passed on a voice vote.

The moratorium directs staff to convene public discussion and to return to council with options; a public hearing is planned for April 7 at 7 p.m., and the pause will last up to six months while the city studies potential zoning or procedural changes.