Council Legislation

Proposed Ordinance No. 2022-36

Title: An Ordinance of the Pierce County Council Adopting Interim Land Use Regulations and Official Controls Pursuant to Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.70A.390; Adopting Amendments to Pierce County Code Chapter 18.25, "Definitions," and Title 18A, "Development Regulations – Zoning," to Authorize Safe Parking Facilities for the Homeless; Authorizing a Pilot Program; Requesting the Department of Planning and Public Works Conduct an Analysis of the Adopted Interim Regulations; Requesting the Department Complete the Necessary Environmental Review and Provide a Recommendation for Permanent Safe Parking Regulations for the Planning Commission to Consider by a Date Certain; Setting an Effective Date; and Adopting Findings of Fact.

Effective: July 1, 2022

Status: Passed

Sponsors: Councilmembers Ryan Mello, Marty Campbell, Jani Hitchen, Derek Young

Final votes

May 24, 2022
Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye


Documents
Additional legislative records are available below Collapse All  Expand All
 

Public Comments

Name Date Comment
Sheila Wynn 5/7/22 9:14 PM I could not download expanded files for exhibits or the Ordinance for Safe Parking. In the case of RV's, please consider a septic pumper visit for sites with RV'S, or that all RV's must be in working condition in order to make a trip to the dump station to dump their grey and black water tanks. Also, potable water for those staying at these sites is another consideration to be made. Please keep the health of everyone and sanitation in mind not just garbage pick up and a port a potty. I really think there are more health details that should be considered, which might be in the exhibits?
Jeanne Archie 5/12/22 8:11 PM I support the request for evaluation and agree with comments submitted by Sheila Wynn with the ask to ensure the health and safety of everyone is included in the assesment.
David Heye 5/15/22 10:17 AM I am all for helping the homeless people in Pierce and King counties however the current proposal in front of the Pierce County Council is a very bad idea from the very beginning. Apparently, the PC Counci has not learned from Seattle's mistakes in 2019 and 2020. Seattle set up 2 Safe Parking Lots, one in Interbay and another on the north side of the ship canal in the Ballard. They even towed in some of the broken-down RV's. Everything was FREE. Since the people living there had "No Skin in the Game", within a couple of weeks both Lots were a trash heap with Drug Dealing and Garbage that Seattle ended up closing both of them down. The current Safe Lots sponsored by Churches work because they set rules, No Drugs and No Alcohol. Churches can set these rules but the County can't because the ACLU will sue the county for infringing on these people's "rights". If the PCC does create these lots, I have 2 requirements to hopefully make them work better than Seattle's before I would support them. 1) Each parked vehicle should be charged $5 per week for parking there. (they can afford drugs and alcohol). This will help cover "some" of the costs and will also give those people some "Skin in the Game". As long as you give things away for FREE, it has been shown in studies that people don't appreciate them and really don't care. You also teach people to expect FREE things more and more. 2) I would also propose that any of these "Safe Lots" must be set up within 2 blocks of a Pierce County Council member's or the County Executives home. This way the County Representatives have some "Skin in the Game" and have to deal directly with their decision and their neighbors. Thank you very much for listening and thank you for your service. Best of luck.
Cynthia Hackett 5/18/22 4:20 PM My name is Cynthia Hackett and I am a constituent, a member of the Safe Sites for All organization which is part of the Tacoma/Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness, and a volunteer with the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation Safe Parking Site. I support the proposal with the following considerations. We have direct experience of the positive impact of a well-managed Safe Parking Site on the lives of our guests, the health and safety of our church property and the health and safety of our South Tacoma neighborhood. Our corner of the community is cleaner, experiencing less misbehavior and is providing a safe and sanitary location where people living in their vehicles can park overnight. To park in any of the existing Safe Parking sites - or future sites managed by the Tacoma/Pierce County Safe Parking organization - guests must engage with resources that will help them move forward into more permanent housing. Safe Parking is intended to be a temporary stepping stone not a permanent "housing" option. Expanding the program with additional well-managed sites that provide overnight parking, basic sanitation including access to trash and recycling bins and a connection to supportive services can be life-changing for those living in their vehicles. Well-managed Safe Parking is cost effective and human effective. Organizations providing Safe Parking sites need to be able to provide this service without undue financial impact beyond basic expenses: Porta Potty, handwashing station, sanitary supplies and trash and recycle disposal. Requiring sites to get permits will require additional funding that is often not available. Washington HB 1754 encourages using a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) rather than permitting. This is an affordable and doable way to make sure an organization will agree to manage a Safe Parking site within the guidelines of the Ordinance. Thank you for considering my comments
Sue Ann & Eddie Hamilton 5/19/22 6:42 PM Re: Ordinance 2022-36 -- Adoption of Interim Land Use Regulations, Safe Parking for Homeless and etc... Cc: Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammier Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place. Proverbs 27:8 The term sojourner includes a variety of people; native and non-native. While some may be attached to a household others are transient. The “rights" of all are vulnerable — …like a bird wandering from its nest. For this reason sojourners, like the poor, orphans and widows fall under the special protection of God and are to be treated as equals under the law. Those who are able to own a home or pay rent have a responsibility toward those who, for a variety of reasons, cannot do either. One’s circumstance in this world is a product of divine Providence. Many are uneasy in their present condition and given to change. All are appointed a place fit and comfortable. Many, however, are unsettled, loving to wander, go abroad; not caring to stay in one place for long. Needlessly, they remove themselves from their own work and care; meddling in that which is not fit nor belonging to them. They are always wavering, without rest; going nowhere. It is unsafe. A man’s home is his security, fit and comfortable, but when he quits it he makes himself an easy prey. His responsibilities, to himself and others, are neglected. His work is left undone. Absalom fled his home as a fugitive, losing his life - 2 Samuel 14. The prodigal son - Luke 15 - came to his senses, returning home. Over many decades government has replaced home and family — the appointed place to be fit and comfortable. Over many decades government has failed to find a solution. Admittedly, homelessness continues to increase despite government's expensive efforts. The solution, we believe, is rooted in the family, as families are better suited to handle the more intimate elements involved in providing a fit and comfortable environment for relatives. Government would do better to develop policies that encourage and support families willing to take in and care for needful relatives. Understandably, there will be situations where this may not be possible. Religious organizations and non-profits can fill the gaps. Over time the majority of homeless will be able to return home, stabilize and become self-sufficient. The homeless population along with crime and other negatives would decrease at least to a manageable level. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. 1 Corinthians 7:24 We mentioned in the first paragraph …equal under the law. Ordinance 2022-36 does not meet that standard. Interim regulations represent convenience and expediency which avoids the due diligence necessary to create good legislation and further circumvent public involvement frustrating trust in government. Homelessness is not a special group. They are citizens and are responsible to graciously accept and do their part to help themselves with the measured assistance of their fellow citizens offered in good faith. Only in this way is the principle of equal under the law truly implemented and can be fully realized. Then, after much prayer and study, we agree with the Executive and in conjunction with his veto of Ordinance 2022-24, we cannot support Ordinance 2022-36. We urge your NO VOTE when it comes before you for consideration. Sue Ann & Eddie Hamilton 7510 208th St Ct E Spanaway, WA 98387 253.846.8615 hamilbe5@comcast.net
Tamaya Tereshkova 5/22/22 11:05 AM Herman Melville said, " Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, the well-warmed and the well-fed." As the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation have direct experience of the positive impact of a well-managed Safe Parking Site on the lives of those in need of Safe Parking, the health and safety of our church property and the health and safety of our South Tacoma neighborhood, it behooves others in the community to consider these direct experiences of this program. Our corner of the community is cleaner, experiencing less misbehavior and is providing a safe and sanitary location where people living in their vehicles can park overnight. To park in any of the existing Safe Parking sites - or future sites managed by the Tacoma/Pierce County Safe Parking organization - guests must engage with resources that will help them move forward into more permanent housing. Safe Parking is intended to be a temporary stepping stone not a permanent "housing" option. Expanding the program with additional well-managed sites that provide overnight parking, basic sanitation including access to trash and recycling bins and a connection to supportive services can be life-changing for those living in their vehicles. Well-managed Safe Parking is cost effective and human effective. Organizations providing Safe Parking sites need to be able to provide this service without undue financial impact beyond basic expenses: Porta Potty, handwashing station, sanitary supplies, and trash and recycle disposal. Requiring sites to get permits will require additional funding that is often not available. Washington HB 1754 encourages using a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) rather than permitting. This is an affordable and doable way to make sure an organization will agree to manage a Safe Parking site within the guidelines of the Ordinance. Thank you for your support of Safe Parking and for considering my comments. Sincerely, Jim Fohrman 4302 80th Ave W U.P. WA 98466 jimandtamaya@gmail.com
Libby Ball 5/23/22 7:21 PM I am a constituent and a staff member of Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation. The congregation has direct experience of the positive impact of a well-managed Safe Parking Site on the lives of our guests, the health and safety of our church property, and of our South Tacoma neighborhood. Providing a safe overnight parking location for individuals who are living in their cars is an important component of transitioning those individuals to stable housing, and one important part of providing stable housing for all Pierce County housing insecure individuals. Guests in the Safe Parking program are able and required to participate in programs to support their move to stable housing. Safe Parking is one step in a process, not a permanent solution. It is a cost-effective part of the process to support individuals experiencing houselessness. Organizations providing Safe Parking sites need to be able to provide this service without undue financial impact beyond basic expenses: porta-potty, handwashing station, sanitary supplies, and trash and recycle disposal. Requiring sites to get permits will require additional funding that is often not available. Washington HB 1754 encourages using a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) rather than permitting. This is an affordable and doable way to make sure an organization will agree to manage a Safe Parking site within the guidelines of the Ordinance. Thank you for your support of Safe Parking and for considering my comments.
Libby Ball 5/23/22 7:21 PM I am a constituent and a staff member of Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation. The congregation has direct experience of the positive impact of a well-managed Safe Parking Site on the lives of our guests, the health and safety of our church property, and of our South Tacoma neighborhood. Providing a safe overnight parking location for individuals who are living in their cars is an important component of transitioning those individuals to stable housing, and one important part of providing stable housing for all Pierce County housing insecure individuals. Guests in the Safe Parking program are able and required to participate in programs to support their move to stable housing. Safe Parking is one step in a process, not a permanent solution. It is a cost-effective part of the process to support individuals experiencing houselessness. Organizations providing Safe Parking sites need to be able to provide this service without undue financial impact beyond basic expenses: porta-potty, handwashing station, sanitary supplies, and trash and recycle disposal. Requiring sites to get permits will require additional funding that is often not available. Washington HB 1754 encourages using a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) rather than permitting. This is an affordable and doable way to make sure an organization will agree to manage a Safe Parking site within the guidelines of the Ordinance. Thank you for your support of Safe Parking and for considering my comments.
sheila e whybrow 5/23/22 8:27 PM Dear Council Member Mello My name is Sheila Whybrow. I live in Lakewood, and I am a member of the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Our church has operated a Safe Parking site for two years. Our building sits at the crossroads of a residential area and a business area. We have direct experience of the positive impact of a well-managed Safe Parking Site on the lives of our guests, the health and safety of our church property and the health and safety of our South Tacoma neighborhood. While providing a safe place for the unhoused to park overnight, we have seen a dramatic decrease in the use of areas around our building for illegal and unsanitary activities. Our guests have applied to and been screened by the Tacoma/Pierce County Safe Parking organization – guests must engage with resources that will help them move forward into more permanent housing. Safe Parking is intended to be a temporary means toward finding a more permanent housing solution. We took care to inform and educate our neighbors in the homes adjacent to our building, who have come to support the program. Safe Parking is cost-effective and life-changing. I have been thanked by our guests many times while doing my volunteer shift on our property. Our parking lot offers a degree of stability and a safe harbor. Organizations providing Safe Parking sites need to be able to provide this service without undue financial impact beyond basic expenses: Porta-Potty, handwashing station, sanitary supplies, and trash and recycling disposal. Requiring sites to get permits will require additional funding that is often not available. Washington HB 1754 encourages using a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) rather than permitting. This is an affordable and doable way to make sure an organization will agree to manage a Safe Parking site within the guidelines of the Ordinance. Thank you for your support of Safe Parking and for considering my comments. Sincerely, Sheila Whybrow