Proposed zoning changes would allow Transitional Homeless Housing projects in ALL Burien neighborhoods.
by Staff Writer.
Burien Planning Commission will convene this Thursday, February 15th, at 5:30 pm to discuss the rezoning of the vacant property next to Kennedy High School, as well as all residential zones in Burien. At this meeting, they will be presented with information regarding proposed zoning amendments.
Meetings are open to the public for everyone. Bring your comments and concerns by 5:15 pm if you wish to speak in person for 2 minutes.
Council Chambers, 400 SW 152nd St. Burien
Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 5:30 PM
You can also email planningcommission@burienwa.gov
or view by Zoom.
Planning Commission Agenda – February 15th
Draft of Transitional Housing Zoning Code Amendment
Current zoning code:
- Burien does not allow transitional housing in residential zones.
New Washington State Laws:
- RCW 35.21.683 and RCW 36.70A.070(2)(a)(ii).
- Law says a city shall not prohibit transitional housing or permanent supportive housing in any zones in which residential dwelling units or hotels are allowed.
- Laws are subject to protecting public health and safety.
- Any transitional housing sites are to be owned or managed by public agencies or nonprofit organizations.
Questions:
- How will new locations for transitional housing be chosen?
- Who will determine standards of “public health and safety” in order to best protect the existing residents?
- Why will the city need 1,433 NEW transitional/shelter beds by 2044?
- What entities will benefit from Burien taking responsibility for transitional housing?
- Who will be moving into the new shelters and transitional housing structures? Burien residents or “Regional” – from outside of Burien – residents?
- Who will be managing the oversight of these public agencies?
Kennedy Catholic HS student concerns:
- Student safety
- Drugs, alcohol, weapons, sex offenders prohibited in Tiny Home Village. How will this be enforced, per the Council requirements from Nov. 27th?
- How will open air drug use be addressed OUTSIDE of the Village?
- Who would be living there and for how long?
- Student vehicle and property safety, especially after dark
- Will Kennedy HS provide additional security?
- Cross-country runners run in nearby neighborhoods
- Security of students through the adjacent fencing
- After dark protection for extracurricular activities- student walking to their vehicles
- How much security will Kennedy Catholic HS provide
Main Burien Resident Concerns:
- Consequences of Transitional Housing in multiple Burien neighborhoods
- Property values
- Safety of adjacent neighborhoods and schools
- Transitional shelter/temporary – with unknown requirements – will be allowed within single and multiple-family housing zones.
- What types of facilities or services will be provided?
- What assurances will be given to existing neighbors to keep their families safe?
- What is the data available on how many people are being successfully transitioned to permanent housing?
- Who will be doing government oversight to be sure management is complying with laws?
Come Thursday February 15th. Learn about the rezoning decisions and make your voice heard.
Well there goes you’re property, it states any neighborhood, this is wrong, what is going on with Wa state laws, city laws etc, pretty soon we’ll all just be living next to dumps, tell them No!!
If all of this rezoning takes place, you may as well say goodbye to the Burien that you know and love
Manipulative bullies are hard at work trying to change your city because they really don’t know what they are doing themselves and are trying to make Burien’s real residents, scapegoats.
In my book, if you are a law abiding, tax paying citizen here, you are not responsible for the homeless; many with drug or other addictions. If you want to take them in and help them, that is your business. No one should be able to force you to be responsible.
There is a cult of unreasonable people in Burien that are trying to change your city; don’t let them get away with it!
Yes, there is a group in Burien who are trying to establish a homeless community at the taxpayers’ expense. You will find them attending City Council meetings and everyone should be attending to voice your opposition.
It appears to me that Burien council will do what they have been told to do by the county and the county is told what to do by the Puget Sound Regional Council an unelected group that is told what to demand by iclei: once called International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives but changed it’s name to Local Governments for Sustainability when people were upset that an international, unelected group was making decisions if not demands on what they were to do and pay for in their own neighborhoods!