Frequently asked questions, along with answers, about relocation of the Safe Parking program are presented here.
Why is the city’s safe parking program relocating?
Relocation is necessary because a portion of the property currently in use by the city’s Safe Parking program is slated for demolition in 2026.
Where is the program moving?
One location being considered is the Newport Presbyterian Church. The Church currently hosts its own volunteer-run Safe Parking program for single women that allows a maximum of eight vehicles at once. Church leadership and congregants have invited the city-funded program to relocate to Newport Presbyterian. If this occurs, the Church’s current safe parking program would be folded into the city-funded program.
What other sites have been considered?
The city and 4 Tomorrow have visited, explored and considered a variety of different locations, which have all proven inadequate. Sites considered include city property, former public schools, other local churches, and privately owned properties throughout the community. As space for safe parking remains a community need, the city continues to explore possible locations.
How would the proposed Newport Presbyterian Church site be arranged?
The city’s relocated Safe Parking Pilot Program at Newport Presbyterian Church would exclusively serve families with children living in passenger vehicles (cars) only and allow no more than 20 vehicles at once.
- A designated area would be defined in the church's existing parking lot.
- Program staff, security staff and site hosts would be continuously present at the location, with 4 Tomorrow providing professional staffing and security.
- Program participants would have access to laundry and shower facilities in a custom mobile facility parked at the northeast corner of the church building.
- Program participants would be invited to use the kitchens, indoor restrooms and other meeting spaces in the church building and would meet privately with staff in onsite offices.
How is the neighborhood involved in this?
The city recognizes that while some interested parties have voiced support, the proposed relocation effort has also caused concern among other area residents. Additional conversations with neighborhood residents and input on how the program could succeed at this location is essential to informing next steps.
The program team, including Newport Presbyterian Church, remain confident that the needs and capacity of the community and the services being proposed can ultimately be a strong match. The demonstrated track record of the program at its current site, careful screening and selection of the families being served, and generous nature of the Newport Presbyterian and Greenwich Crest community all point toward continued program success at this new venue.
To date, the following outreach efforts have occurred:
- In early February, city staff and church members conducted door-to-door neighborhood outreach, engaging in conversations with area residents about the safe parking program.
- On Feb. 25, the Church hosted the first community meeting on this relocation effort. The meeting included a presentation that discussed the current safe parking programs offered by the city with 4 Tomorrow and Newport Presbyterian Church and gave an overview of how the programs could potentially merge.
More opportunities to learn about safe parking, ask program staff questions and provide feedback will be announced soon. Please stay tuned for more information. If you would like to receive email updates from the city, sign up for alerts here.
We will continue to update the city’s Safe Parking website with more information as it becomes available. If you have additional questions, contact city staff at homelessness@bellevuewa.gov.
Permitting process FAQs
What regulations allow for safe parking on faith-owned properties?
- RCW 35A.21.360 (State law that allows hosting the homeless by religious organizations)
- LUC 20.20.850 (City Land Use Code for temporary public safety facilities)
What is the difference between safe parking and temporary encampments in the city’s Land Use Code?
Safe Parking and Temporary Encampments are two different uses with separate permitting paths. Safe Parking is regulated as a temporary public safety facility under LUC 20.20.850. Temporary Encampments – which is not being proposed at this site – are regulated under chapter 20.30U LUC.
How is public input considered in the land use permit process/public hearing requirements?
A temporary public safety facility is an administrative permit issued under LUC 20.20.850. This permit type does not require public notice and does not include a public comment period, although the environmental review of the proposal under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) will include public notice and a public comment period.
The Development Services director may condition any administrative permit consistent with the provisions of the city’s Land Use Code, and it may require the facility to comply with site development standards of the code as are reasonably necessary to provide compatibility of the facility with surrounding uses and to minimize the impact of the facility on surrounding uses.
As part of any environmental review performed under SEPA, Development Services will provide notice of the project and provide a public comment period.
How can I submit a comment on the SEPA review?
Sign up to receive the Weekly Permit Bulletin. You can email comments to kagarwal@bellevuewa.gov, and reference the Safe Parking Pilot Program proposed at 4010 120th Ave. SE.
It is anticipated that the Development Services Department will accept public comment until it issues its threshold decision. Currently, there is no anticipated issuance date for the threshold determination. Please note that Development Services will respond to substantive comments after the land use process and environmental review are completed, in connection with the final director land use decision on the permit and the final SEPA determination. This is the department’s standard practice.
For questions about the Safe Parking Pilot Program, contact homelessness@bellevuewa.gov. For questions about the permitting process or to submit comments on the pending permit application, contact kagarwal@bellevuewa.gov.