The City of Kirkland received a temporary use permit (TUP) application from SHARE/WHEEL and Holy Spirit Lutheran Church to relocate the homeless encampment known as Tent City 4 to church property beginning January 21. Holy Spirit has already hosted Tent City 4 twice since 2007.
As part of the application process the church will hold a public informational meeting tentatively scheduled for Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the church located at 10021 N.E. 124th Street. City of Kirkland representatives will be present to answer permitting and public safety questions.
City officials will mail residents and property owners within 500 feet of the church property the notice of the application and the notice of the decision of the Kirkland’s Planning Director regarding the permit application.
City zoning regulations provide for temporary uses of land, including homeless encampments, when certain standards are met.
If approved, the encampment may locate within the city for no more than 92 days. The city may not grant a permit at the same location more than once in a 365-day period.
In 2006, the City adopted zoning regulations specific to homeless encampments which require, among other standards, sight-obscuring perimeter fencing (unless the planning director determines there is sufficient vegetation, topographic variation or other site condition such that fencing would not be needed), setbacks from adjoining residential properties and transit service to be located within one-half mile. Additionally, a code of conduct must be imposed on encampment residents, public health inspections must be allowed, and the maximum number of residents is 100.
The zoning regulations provide for an administrative review by the Planning Director per the Kirkland Municipal Code.
For more information, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/tentcity or contact Sean LeRoy, Planning and Community Development Department at 425-587-3225 or sleroy@kirklandwa.gov.
