On November 27, 2023, the Burien City Council voted to accept the money and pallets from King County to build a temporary pallet village on the Seattle City Light property.
As of yet, the Seattle City Property is not in a position to be leased as the current zoning code prohibits transitional housing to be built on that property. On February 15, 2024, the Planning Commission met to discuss and hear public comments on the City’s proposed amendment to the current zoning. At this meeting, there was also discussed that the current zoning code is not in compliance with Washington State law (RCW 35A.21.430) which states that “a code city shall not prohibit transitional housing or permanent supportive housing in any zones in which residential dwelling units or hotels are allowed.”
A Planning Commission meeting was held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. There was a public hearing concerning the Zoning Code Amendments related to the Temporary Emergency Housing Village from Burien City Council. You can find the agenda here.
At the February 28 meeting, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed zoning amendment. There were Kennedy Catholic current parents and students and alumni and local neighbors who gave comment, as well as our Vice Principal of Student Affairs, Katy Burns. At the end of the public hearing, the Planning Commission deliberated and discussed the amendments and decided to pass an amendment to the City Council’s amendment that more concretely defined where and how a temporary pallet village could exist in Burien. One of the main points of the revision is that the temporary pallet villages will only be allowed on properties up to two acres and 1000 feet from a school. The proposed Seattle City Light lot is 4 acres. If the City Council approves the version sent to them by the Planning Commission, a temporary pallet home village next to Kennedy Catholic will not happen.
Burien City Council is set to “Discuss the Establishment of City Codes regarding Homeless Services” at their meeting April 1 at 7pm, Burien City Hall. At this time, they will review the amendments sent back from the Planning Commission. Public comment is welcome.
