WEST RICHLAND, Wash. – West Richland’s planning commission is taking steps to limit the presence of sex offenders in the city. The commission is focusing on zoning changes that would confine Secure Community Transition Facilities to light industrial zones.
Currently, Washington State has only two active secure community transition facilities for civilly committed sexually violent predators. These facilities are located on McNeil Island and in South Seattle and are operated by the Department of Social and Health Services with strict security measures.
State laws prevent cities from outright banning these facilities. However, West Richland’s proposed amendment to the city code could limit the placement of such facilities within the city.
“As proposed, if the Secure Transition Facility were to ever look to locate in the City of West Richland, the sites to select from would be significantly reduced and only areas in the industrial zoning district, and would require additional public notice in the process and a conditional use permit,” Eric Mendenhall, City of West Richland Community Development Director, said.
The commission voted unanimously to pass the changes to the city’s municipal code. The West Richland City Council will now decide whether to adopt these changes.
Secure Community Transition Facilities are different than the Less Restrictive Alternative proposed in a Kennewick neighborhood.
FOX41 Yakima©FOX11 TriCities©