HomeMy WebLinkAbout102721 JOB Comment Palmer
Joint Oversight
From:Libby Palmer <libbypalmer2@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, October 13, 2021 9:43 AM
To:Joint Oversight
Subject:September 13 meeting
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On November 19, 2018 Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend entered into an interlocal cooperation
agreement to support affordable housing and homeless housing programs. As we approach the third
anniversary of this group, it's time to deliver a product - and the Draft County Ordinance Re: Temporary
Homeless Facilities is a commendable "almost ready" product. However, having read the comments prepared
by HSN and the Tiny Home Community Housing Action Team, I would like to strongly urge that the following
improvements be made immediately:
Remove limitation on number of people served
Have an annually renewable permit instead of a time limitation
Clarify consistent use of terms to prevent public confusion -Tiny shelters are not the same as tiny
houses
Reduce setback requirements
Simplify parking requirements
Revise Written Code of Conduct
Modify requirements for food handling
Expand types of emergency shelters permitted
Locate encampments near goods and services
Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend need not re-invent the wheel. Many neighboring jurisdictions
(Olympia, Kitsap, Bellingham, etc.) have moved further and faster than we have. Surely we can learn from their
experiences. Our situation is NOT unique, unfortunately.
As winter approaches, it is so important for our community to step forward more briskly, and act as if we are
indeed ready to house our folks safely - NOW!! Thanks to HSN and its sub-groups, a path to immediate action
is now available.
Libby Palmer
2336 Kuhn Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
206-799-0278
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