Council authorizes increase in safe‑parking vehicle spaces on city property from six to eight

The Redmond City Council on June 10 authorized increasing the allowable number of vehicles used as shelter in the city’s safe‑parking program at 1949 South Highway 97 from six to eight.

Linda Klein, the city’s housing analyst, said the site—located just north of the Chevron service station on Highway 97—was first approved for safe‑parking use on May 9, 2023. The council had previously set code changes that allow up to eight vehicles but asked staff for a more robust public outreach process before increasing counts; Klein reported that staff reached out to nearby neighbors and received a written comment from Tom Wright stating no objection and a verbal clearance from the irrigation district (COIAD). Klein said no other neighbors responded with concerns.

Councilor Patrick confirmed that the request simply increases vehicle count on the existing footprint and does not expand the site closer to Highway 97. Council adopted the motion on a voice vote to authorize the increase from six to eight vehicles in the safe‑parking program at the specified city property.

What it means: the approved change allows the safe‑parking program to serve two additional vehicles at the city site, subject to the program rules and any future code or program modifications. Staff said micro‑shelters were not part of this request and would return separately if proposed.

Next steps: staff will implement the change and continue outreach and program oversight as the city manages the safe‑parking site.