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Council adopts ordinance updating rules for emergency and supportive housing
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 1147 to amend municipal code provisions to accommodate emergency shelters, transitional and supportive housing and certain religious-hosted programs while establishing local standards and review processes.
The council approved Ordinance 1147, which amends Title 19 of the Medical Lake Municipal Code to incorporate state-required accommodations for emergency shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and certain religious organization-hosted housing activities. Staff said the ordinance creates local development and operational standards so these housing types have clear rules and location standards.
Sam explained the amendments are driven by state law and intended to preserve as much local control as possible through development standards and conditional-use review. One councilmember described the statewide approach as "offensive" in tone but said she would vote to approve the ordinance under protest; another member recorded a formal opposed vote (Councilmember Ray Abbott). The ordinance passed after debate and a motion to approve.
Staff said the ordinance provides clarity for property owners and service providers and will be coupled with legislative outreach to state representatives where the council wants changes to state law.
