Court of Appeals hears challenge to Tacoma Rescue Mission's land-use vesting after title dispute

The Washington Court of Appeals, Division 2, heard oral argument in an appeal over whether a proposed Tacoma Rescue Mission (TRM) homeless-housing project vested under Pierce County law after a dispute about the property's title and the completeness of the land-use application.

In opening argument, David Brickland, counsel for appellant Spanaway Concerned Citizens, said the project "is a good idea for housing for the homeless in a bad location" but argued it did not vest during the relevant six-week window because the application was incomplete and the deed showed an exclusion inserted by interlineation that was never initialed or notarized. Brickland told the panel that the applicant failed to secure subscription by every owner and that the project may be inconsistent with the county's comprehensive…