Burien City Council passes temporary ordinance for religious groups to set up homeless encampments
Burien City Council passes ordinance for religious groups to set up encampments
Burien City Council passed an interim zoning ordinance outlining guidance and restrictions for religious organizations hosting homeless encampments on property they own or control in the city.
BURIEN, Wash. - Burien City Council passed an interim zoning ordinance outlining guidance and restrictions for religious organizations hosting homeless encampments on property they own or control in the city.
This ordinance would require temporary use permits with the possibility of waiving fees for temporary encampments for the unhoused.
It also limits one temporary encampment per 1,000-foot radius and comes with safety requirements addressing size, electrical heating and more that would undergo inspections.
While this interim zoning ordinance passed, Councilmember Hugo Garcia was the sole abstaining vote.
"Christmas is in two weeks and I kept picturing baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph coming up and [The City of Burien] checking a tent to make sure it's fireproof," said Councilmember Garcia.
Burien mayor talks Supreme Court decision
In a 6-3 decision, the high court reversed a ruling by a San Francisco-based appeals court that found outdoor sleeping bans amount to cruel and unusual punishment.
Councilmember Garcia says he supports spaces that are safe, but he is concerned the restrictions of this ordinance could get in the way of religious groups helping in Burien.
"In times of need it may be more challenging for our churches to jump through hoops to provide help to somebody," said Councilmember Garcia.
A temporary encampment was set up at Oasis Home Church in Burien until February 2024. The City of Burien demanded the church apply for a temporary use permit, but the church filed a lawsuit against the city this summer, alleging the city's ordinances went against their constitutional religious rights.
Burien City Attorney Garmon Newsom spoke with FOX 13 off camera and denied the urgency of this ordinance was tied to the lawsuit which he says is still pending.\
Newsom says this ordinance helps the city get into compliance with federal and state laws when it comes to religious groups having the right to set up shelter for homeless people.
A public hearing for this interim zoning ordinance is scheduled for January 13, 2025.
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