Jackson Place Alliance for Equity Files Appeal to Permit Issued for DESC Crisis Solutions Center

SEATTLE, Washington - April 26, 2011 - The Jackson Place Alliance for Equity (JPAE) has filed a land use petition in the King County Superior Court on the permit issued by the city of Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to DESC that would allow a crisis solutions center to be sited on 1600 and 1618 South Lane Street.

The City has allowed the DESC project to proceed with no public review, because, the City says, it is a “hospital.” Hospitals are permitted practically anywhere in the City. Jails and similar facilities are not. Over one-third of the DESC facility’s detainees would be brought there using police arrest or detention authority.

In Nov 2010, the JPAE submitted a Request for Interpretation with DPD concerning DESC’s proposed development of the crisis solutions center in the Jackson Place community. Since filing the Request for Interpretation, JPAE obtained public records that indicate the crisis facility has been endorsed by several City and County elected officials and agency heads, including the City Executive, Council members, and the City Attorney. Public records also reveal emails sent by City elected officials and the DESC enlisting the DPD in facilitating quick approval and construction without public review.

On April 6th JPAE received a decision from DPD regarding the Request for Interpretation stating the crisis solutions center is considered a permissible use under the Land Use Code. Permits were issued to DESC the same day.

JPAE maintains that the Request for Interpretation and the process under which permits were issued to DESC was not given a full, transparent, public review process. As a result, JPAE has filed a legal action in Superior Court seeking an impartial, unbiased review of the siting of the crisis solutions center on South Lane Street.
           

Concerns About DESC, Seattle Department of Planning and Development: Manipulation of Land Use Code to Site Jail Diversion Facility in Jackson Place Neighborhood

SEATTLE, Washington - Jan. 18, 2011 - On Nov. 9th, 2010 the DESC held a public meeting at the Giddens School to inform the Jackson Place community they would be siting a new program called the Crisis Solutions Center on South Lane Street. As reported by the Central District News on Nov. 10th, “Bill Hobson, Director of the DESC, said the building is not in a residential zone, but rather it is zoned commercial.” Mr. Hobson referred to it as “an ‘edge’ zone, meaning property on one side of it is residential while the other side is commercial. The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) determined that the Crisis Solutions Center is an appropriate use of the space.”

Public records obtained by the Jackson Place Alliance for Equity (JPAE) show the DPD has been working with the DESC since July 2010 to help the DESC classify the Crisis Solutions Center as a hospital instead of a jail or work release facility to avoid a lengthy permit and public comments process. According to land use codes, a hospital would be considered a permissible use at 1600 and 1618 South Lane Street. However documents reveal the Crisis Solutions Center is not a hospital, but rather it is similar to incarceration uses, which are not permissible under the Land Use Code for siting at the 1600 and 1618 South Lane address. If proper processes were followed, the Crisis Solutions Center will not be permitted for siting without notice to the public and a full, transparent, public review process.

The Crisis Solutions Center has been endorsed by City elected officials, including the Executive, Council members, and the City Attorney. Public records reveal emails sent by City elected officials and the DESC enlisting the DPD in facilitating quick approval and construction without public review.

Even worthwhile programs carried out by worthy agencies, endorsements by elected officials, and intentions to serve particular populations are not bases for cutting corners on the Land Use Code. The DPD is not only violating its own Land Use Code, but also the civil rights of the Jackson Place community on which the use would be imposed.

As a result, the JPAE has filed a Land Use Request for Interpretation Request with the DPD concerning DESC’s proposed development of the Crisis Solutions Center at 1600 and 1618 South Lane Street. The JPAE is committed to seeking a fair and transparent review of the Land Use Code and permissible use at 1600 and 1618 South Lane Street.