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Medical Lake council reviews comprehensive plan Part 2 and new municipal rules for specialized housing
Summary
Council and planning staff reviewed Part 2 of the comprehensive plan and a set of municipal-code amendments aimed at implementing state RCW requirements for specialized and affordable housing; councilors pressed staff about limits of local authority and neighborhood impacts.
City planning staff presented Part 2 of Medical Lake’s draft Comprehensive Plan and proposed municipal-code amendments for specialized housing at the May 5 council meeting.
Robert Chicken, who introduced the draft, said maps were not yet complete because an external transportation consultant has delayed mapping; staff will finalize maps before Planning Commission review. Chicken described the code changes as aimed at satisfying state Growth Management Act/RCW requirements while preserving City ability to require site‑specific MOUs covering security, sanitation and operational hours.
Council discussion turned to specialized housing language. One council member questioned whether adopting the draft would limit the city’s discretion and said, “I don’t want a low income housing next to my home,” emphasizing concerns about siting and services. The member also cited research they reviewed saying substance use and mental‑health disorders are significant factors in homelessness and urged the council to address these underlying problems in parallel with housing policy.
Staff responded that state law constrains some local options but that MOUs and case‑by‑case review can allow council and neighbors to require site controls and service commitments. Council members said they want the city to retain the ability to require neighborhood‑specific safeguards and to present the draft ordinance for formal action in a future meeting after Planning Commission review.
What’s next: Staff will complete maps, send the draft to Planning Commission for public hearing and return proposed ordinance language to council (expected at a future regular meeting) for formal consideration.
