Shoreline City Council to continue discussion on temporary encampments

Camp United We Stand in a backyard encampment
Photo by Brad Lancaster

By Diane Hettrick

The Shoreline City Council will continue what has become a contentious discussion on tent city encampments in the city.

The issue of encampments was originally brought forward by staff, who wanted to make the permitting process less bureaucratic for the churches who host the tent cities.

The proposal quickly became entangled with a proposal by residents Brad and Kim Lancaster, who have been lobbying the city council to make backyard camps legal.

The Lancasters got involved when they rescued the small United We Stand tent city when they had a four month gap between church placements. The Lancasters moved them into their back yard.

The Council has been considering enacting a 20 foot set back for camps at any location - that is, the camp would have to be 20 feet from the property lines. Some claim that would make all but three churches ineligible as hosts. Under the 20 foot set back, the Planning Director would have the option to waive the requirement on a case by case basis.

Residents packed the Council meeting where this was previously discussed and testified overwhelmingly against backyard encampments, with or without setbacks.

Homeless professionals are also opposed to back yard camps, saying that individual homeowners do not have the knowledge and resources available to take care of tent cities. They feel it leaves the campers too vulnerable.

Shoreline City Council Meetings
Monday February 27, 2017 – Special Meeting 5:45 p.m. with - Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff.

Monday, February 27, 2017 – Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Agenda Highlights

• Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract in an Amount not to exceed $94,268 with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for Wastewater Code and Engineering Development Manual Review and Development and Financial Policy Review and Recommendations
• Motion to Appoint a Member to the Shoreline Landmarks and Heritage Commission
• Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract in the Amount of $344,121 with Trinity Contractors Inc. for Construction of the Interurban/Burke-Gilman Connectors Project
• Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract in the Amount of $100,000 with EarthCorps to Provide Repair and Maintenance for Shoreline Parks and Surface Water Facilities
• Motion to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract in the Amount of $183,687 with Perteet Inc. for Construction Management Services for the Meridian Avenue N and 15th Avenue NE Pavement Preservation Projects
• Adoption of Res. No. 402 – Amending the Personnel Policies
• Continued Discussion of Ord. No. 762 – Amending SMC for Temporary Encampments
• Discussion and Update of the 147th/148th Non-Motorized Bridge and Preferred Alternative

Link to full Agenda
Comment on Agenda items

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