By Martin Barrett.
The Burien City Council passed a new homeless ordinance at the December 9, 2024 meeting. The ordinance allows religious organizations to host campers on their property for up to 6 months per year.
Ordinance No. 842 – Interim Zoning for Religious Organizations Hosting the Unhoused and related amendments to BMC 19.75, Temporary Use Permits.
City Attorney Garmon Newsom began by citing the US Constitution’s First Amendment, giving freedom of religious expression and forbidding the government from interfering in that right.
Ordinance No. 842, responds to State law HB 1754, which prevents municipalities from placing excessive or unnecessary burdens on religious organizations. “No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that imposes a substantial burden of the religious expression…”
Garmon stated, “While there is an absolute freedom of religion, it cannot be inconsistent with safety, peace, and public well-being.”
Hosting the homeless by religious organizations—When authorized—Requirements—Prohibitions on local actions.
(1) A religious organization may host the homeless on property owned or controlled by the religious organization, whether within buildings located on the property or elsewhere on the property outside of buildings.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, a code city may not enact an ordinance or regulation or take any other action that:
(a) Imposes conditions other than those necessary to protect public health and safety and that do not substantially burden the decisions or actions of a religious organization…
The remainder of RCW 35a.21.360 specifies how a code city may protect both religious freedoms and public safety.
The ordinance passed with all council members voting affirmatively except Hugo Garcia, who abstained.
Camping on church property has been a contentious issue in Burien over the last few years. Churches like Oasis and Highline United Methodist have aggressively sought to host homeless encampments. This has prompted significant pushback by neighbors who have experienced drug deals on their corners, men exposing themselves to kids, theft, and vandalism.
Before allowing a church or other religious organization to host homeless people on a property, the City of Burien will require the organization to apply for a permit and hold a public meeting.
Burien will hold a public hearing for public comment on the new ordinance (No. 842) on January 13, 2025.
One Response
This action will not happen without a fight from all citizens who live in Burien who oppose this decision which the City Council fully knows full well will not be tolerated. We will have to be the ones who deal with the crime, drug use, and garbage. Once again, the City of Burien have let the tax paying citizens down.