Woodinville City Council clarifies rules on tent city

By Jessica Delos Reyes
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

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City Manager Pete Rose said the changes basically "strengthen and clarify" land-use rules drawn up in the original ordinance, which was passed Aug. 10.

The original ordinance allows Tent City 4 use of undeveloped park land north of Little Bear Creek on 134th Avenue Northeast, north of 177th Place Northeast, for up to 40 days. The encampment possibly could stay there up to 60 days longer if a temporary-use permit is granted.

Tent City 4 moved to Woodinville on Aug. 14, after a 90-day stay at a Bothell church. The encampment was scheduled to move to private church-owned land in Woodinville, but on Aug. 10 the city bowed to neighborhood concerns with a council decision to move Tent City 4 to city-owned property.

One change approved last night clarifies the terms of the temporary-use-permit exemption. It also changes sections of the Woodinville Municipal Code to address issues of overnight camping, the reservation of park facilities and washing in park facilities. One change to the city code states that, unless there is a valid written agreement, overnight camping without a permit is illegal in a park facility not designated for that purpose.

A second ordinance passed last night reaffirms the city manager's authority to negotiate and execute an agreement for the location of a homeless encampment on city-owned property.

The group that organized Tent City 4 — the Seattle Housing And Resource Effort and the Women's Housing, Equality and Enhancement League (SHARE/WHEEL) — and at least one Woodinville-based church sponsor have until 11 p.m. Friday to agree on the terms of the temporary-use permit.

The changes to the original ordinance also are intended to further insulate the city from legal challenges.

On Aug. 13, Woodinville Business Center No. 1 filed suit in King County Superior Court, alleging that the city approved the encampment without sufficient public notice and that the approval was illegal because no environmental review was conducted.

Jessica Delos Reyes: 206-515-5546 or jdelosreyes@seattletimes.com

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