Planning 2024-05-23 Minutes - Budget Presentation / Public Hearing on Zoning Code Amendments for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) / Tiny Home Village Code

Browse Search

Planning Commission Minutes 5/23/24 Page 4 are a group of emergency housing type of small buildings under 120 sq. ft., which are sleeping rooms permanently attached to the ground. The structures are for unhoused individuals with an external kitchen and bathroom facilities in a cluster run by a non-profit. The Low-Income Housing Institute (LIHI) is the non- profit in Tukwila that provides food, services and support. It helps individuals to move on to transitional housing and to get jobs and benefits. Following is some background information. In 2021, HB 1220 legislated a big change as to how cities and counties could regulate various types of homeless and supportive housing services. That legislature determined that there were too many exclusionary rules among the jurisdictions and determined that anywhere a hotel room is allowed, shelters must be allowed. There should not be a distinction for the temporary dwelling based on how much money someone has or whether they can stay in that location. Also, anywhere residences, homes or apartments are allowed, permanent supportive or transitional housing must be allowed. Therefore, the intent is to discontinue many of those distinctions. Specific regulations were not adopted for THVs at that time, and it was determined that they would be reviewed under the umbrella of emergency housing in general. Now there are two THVs in Tukwila and there are some differences in how they are built and regulated. The code needs to be clear that the city does allow them, with procedures for building them. Director Gierloff said that the distinction in the RCWs that were adopted for emergency shelters were pertaining to indoor facilities. Tent encampments and THVs do not fall under that category in the code. The Department of Commerce provides housing guidance for cities and counties that recommends how to meet the intent of the RCW. They just recently came out with some guidance for emergency housing shelters, so that regulatory environment is still in flux. Therefore, the city held off to better understand how this affects local control. The decision was made to move forward with drafting an ordinance for THVs. The proposed definition for THVs is noted in the May 13, 2024, staff report. For THVs and tent encampments, the different sets of RCWs that would apply to them are for religious organizations with broad discretion and parameters. People will be screened before moving in and once they move in, they will have specific units assigned to them for the duration of their stay, privacy, etc. Some established common-sense regulations include that services onsite are limited to the people being served onsite, with a maximum of 45 units - assuming the site can support that amount. Information was provided on the path forward for hosting a THV; expectations, code of conduct, infrastructure, and entering an agreement with the city. Something to think about: Is there an interest in allowing other organizations other than religious institutions to host THV? th Director Gierloff addressed several questions for the PC that will be helpful in preparation for the June 27 public hearing for THVs. The PC accepted verbal comments from Marta Kidane and Sam Pace.