March 15, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — “We laid out a timeline that would establish a homeless encampment in SODO before winter weather sets in later this year. That timeline assumed that the Council would begin their review and discussion of the legislation at the same time as we continued through the SEPA process, which is expected to be complete in June. We never expected that Council could take action on this package until SEPA was done. Waiting until June to even begin a review of the full package will jeopardize setting up the encampment before next winter.
Yesterday, the Council sent part of our legislative package back to us, saying that it “cannot legally take action on the proposed legislation until the environmental review, required by State law, is complete.” This morning, we received a written legal opinion from the Law Department that contradicts the Council statement. According to Law, Council cannot take final action to approve a project before SEPA is complete. But there is no legal reason that Council may not take action to consider legislation while SEPA review is pending. That is all we ever expected.
I am today sending the full package back to Council and requesting that they give it prompt consideration so that we have a solution ready before next winter.”
– Mayor Mike McGinn
Contact:
Aaron Pickus (206) 684-4000
