Stevenson Motel homeless shelter_Elizabeth KariFrom: Elizabeth Kari <eakari@live.com>
Sent: Monday, February 6, 2023 3:51 PM
To: Plng Inquiry
Subject: Stevenson Motel homeless shelter
[EXTERNAL EMAIL WARNING]
This email originated from outside of the City of Federal Way and may not be trustworthy. Please use
caution when clicking links, opening attachments, or replying to requests for information. If you have
any doubts about the validity of this email please contact IT Help Desk at x2555.
Elizabeth A. Kari
PO Box 4525
Federal Way, WA 98063 February 6, 2023
City of Federal Way
Director of Community Development
33325 8th Ave S
Federal Way, WA 98003
I was aghast to read in the Federal Way Mirror that there is a plan to turn the Stevenson
Motel into a homeless shelter. I understand public comments are accepted until February
6.
As someone who lives maybe three blocks from this establishment (my residence is even
on the city’s vicinity map, although I have not received a notice from the city regarding this
ill conceived project) I am opposed to turning this place into a homeless shelter.
The purpose of the shelter is to take 40-48 of the street defecating, mentally ill and/or
junkies scattered throughout Federal Way and concentrate them in one location. Nobody in
their right mind, and I include myself in that group, wants that anyplace near their
residence. If you think this would be a wonderful addition to a neighborhood, invite them
to your neighborhood, not mine.
I have no doubt that concentrating a large group of drug abusers will increase crime in the
immediate area. It’s not like they have jobs that are paying for their drugs of choice.
It’s only recently that the crime problems at the East Wind Motel have been brought under
control. Turning the Stevenson into Junkie Central will just replicate the problem a few
doors down.
There’s already a shelter for homeless families in the former Econolodge a few blocks up
the street. Do all the homeless shelters have to be in this neighborhood? Can’t you pick on
somebody else?
I could go on with other reasons why I’m opposed to having a shelter three blocks from my
house, but I gather from what I gleaned from the Mirror my opinion, although it is allegedly
being sought here, doesn’t count. This shelter is all but a done deal.
Quotations from the Mirror: “Among other things, the law forbids cities from prohibiting
transitional or permanent supportive housing in areas zoned to allow residential dwellings
or hotels. It also restricted cities’ abilities to say no to indoor emergency shelters and
housing in areas where hotels are allowed.”
“The basics: The shelter can’t be within 1,000 feet of a public school or any other
emergency shelter; must be close to transit, stores and other services; must be operated by
a responsible agency, social service or governing board; must have security and
supervision; can’t have an unreasonable impact of traffic, utilities or other nearby
residences; and must have a written community engagement plan.”
If these statements are true then this shelter will be crammed down the collective throat of
this area, the interests of the residents and businesses be damned. So why even solicit
comments if the fix is in? This pre-condemnation makes me even angrier, although it’s what
I’ve come to expect in over 25 years of residency in Federal Way. The fact that opinions are
accepted for the sole purpose of “process” only serves to drive home the powerlessness of
this city’s residents. It demonstrates that the city is not interested working for its
inhabitants, but prefers them to suffer whatever they, or the outside entities they choose to
work with (in the case Catholic Community Services) want to inflict.
There will be no public meetings regarding this. It’s over and done with, except for the
city’s precious process. This is a disgusting and callous way to treat the people who live
here.
I don’t want to live near 40-48 mentally ill and/or substance abusers. The city should not
be inflicting this on residents. Ever.
Elizabeth A. Kari