A handful of people attended a July 24 community meeting at Redmond City Hall, regarding proposed amendments to the City of Redmond’s Community Development Guide Temporary Use Code. This was an informational meeting, not a formal Public Hearing. No testimony was heard or taken.

Steven Fischer, senior planner for the City of Redmond, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to clarify the Temporary Use code, because the code currently exists both in RCDG 20D.190 and 20.F.40.170.

Handouts showing the existing and proposed codes were distributed.

The language in both 20D. and 20F. currently includes the scope or type of temporary uses — ranging from outdoor art shows to Christmas tree lots, mobile veterinary clinics, etc. — as well as decision criteria such as “The temporary use will not impair the normal, safe and effective operation of a permanent use on the same site.”

Temporary encampments, such as Tent City, are not mentioned in the existing code.

Under the revised code, 20.D.190.10-020 Scope item (f) would read, “Temporary encampments which comply with the conditions outlined in RDDG 20D.190.” and 20D.190.10-030 Decision Criteria items (3) and (4) would include conditions referring to the temporary encampment and notification procedures for the community.

The applicant would have to apply for a temporary use permit at least 30 days before the planned opening of the temporary encampment, would be limited to a maximum of 100 persons and limited to a maximum of 120 days within a 365 day time period.

As well, vehicles associated with the application could not displace the host’s parking lot’s regular parking capacity.

Section (3) Item (e) would refer to additional conditions for the purpose of maintaining the health, safety and welfare of people in and around the temporary encampment, including codes of conduct, a resident log and identification, presence of minors in the encampment, provision of transportation to/from the encampment and setbacks and screening.

Section (4) described mailings to residents, Major Land Use signs and other ways that neighbors would be informed of the possibility of a temporary encampment.

Under the proposed change, 20F.40.170 referring to Temporary Use would be greatly consolidated and would refer readers back to the previous sections of the Development Guide, so as not to be redundant.

Full details of the proposed changes are posted on the City of Redmond Web site, www.redmond.gov.

Upcoming key dates for the Planning Commission are:

• August 13 Study Session

• August 20 Public Hearing

• August 27 Study Session and Possible Action

Until that time, questions or comments can be directed to Steven Fischer, (425) 556-2432 or sfischer@redmond.gov.

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