Proposed Franz-Anderson site for homeless relocation sparks concerns from community members

During the Olympia City Council meeting on Tue., Dec. 14, several community members spoke against the plans to relocate homeless individuals to property on Franz Anderson Road that the city is considering purchasing. 

Most of the residents who expressed their concern regarding the proposal include business and property owners from the adjacent Stoll Road. One of the major concerns includes the possibility of devaluation for neighboring properties.  The Franz Anderson properties as a group are being proposed for sale for "a minimum of" $1.65 Million, according to the council's resolution.

Business owner John Hanson shared, “so my concern is that first of all, the value of our property would decrease so badly that it would amount to a taking by the government. Because that’s what happens when something loses its value so drastically.”

Architect Glen Wells who owns four properties in the area also came forward to share that his company is planning to invest $50 million in the neighborhood. Wells believed that once approved, the relocation will have a negative impact on their business and tenants.

Property owner Dan LaFreniere agreed, “I am asking you please, please do not allow this to proceed because you will take the value of my real estate.”

1.3 miles to North Thurston High School

The issue of public safety was also raised since the location sits near a school and single-family homes.  Homeowner, Kathryn Simpson said, “We see homes, we see kids, businesses, and everything. And we know the homeless is a very hard situation to deal with. We are just asking for a delay in that process. For us to have a town meeting, for us to be able to potentially create a new solution.”

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney said, “We are really early in the process. There is nothing imminent happening on Franz-Anderson Road.” He clarified that they are not moving any homeless population either from Deschutes Parkway or Ensign Road encampments to the proposed location. Rather, the city manager noted that they see the location as a long-term solution to provide permanent supportive housing.

Councilmember Jim Cooper added that the purchase would still have to undergo a process. “Every single time we do a facility, there’s rules…and if you don’t follow the rules, then you have to leave, and the city has a good path and process for that.” Cooper noted that the city does not plan to build an RV park rather he claimed that they are planning to establish one or two building facilities for permanent supportive housing.

Olympia Mayor Cheryl Shelby also explained why the proposal was placed on the consent calendar. Shelby explained that the motion is simply a first step towards approving a real estate transaction. She also believed that it would take time before the city could establish a managed RV site.

Burney assured that the city would host community meetings before they launch the site. “Whatever we come up with, it is planned to be a managed solution, it will have 24/7 site management.”

Some of the concerns came after the City of Lacey claimed that they were blindsided following the transfer of unhoused individuals from the Deschutes Parkway homeless encampment to two hotels in Lacey last week.