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Council declines moratorium and asks staff to draft targeted code amendments to bar immigration detention facilities
Summary
After legal review and public comment, council voted 7‑0 to direct staff to return with targeted zoning code amendments — and to hold any public hearing before council — to limit or prohibit immigration detention facilities and similar uses in the city.
Following a staff legal review, the Kirkland City Council directed staff to prepare targeted zoning code amendments intended to prevent immigration detention facilities from being sited in the city.
Planning staff reported that privately operated detention centers are not an allowed use in Kirkland’s current zoning and that a federal government‑operated facility could be treated as a ‘‘government facility’’ under the code. Staff warned the council that federal siting decisions may proceed under federal authorities (including NEPA) and that a moratorium may not change federal rights, but it would delay other planning work. Planning Director Adam Weinstein told council: “Our stated goal is to not have detention centers in Kirkland.”
Deputy Mayor Black proposed language for narrowly targeted code amendments altering the definition of "government facility" to exclude immigration detention facilities and to add a definition for "immigration detention facility," with council holding any required public hearing. Several council members supported moving directly to targeted code amendments rather than a temporary moratorium, noting speed and legal complexity. Councilor Falcone moved for a moratorium but the motion failed; the body then unanimously voted to ask staff to draft targeted code amendments and return to council, with the city council designated to hold the public hearing on any ordinance.
Staff said they will return with draft language and legal analysis on how proposed language would interact with federal law and with recommended enforcement provisions.
Next steps: staff to prepare and return with proposed targeted code amendments and supporting legal analysis; council will hold the public hearing on any proposed ordinance.
