Wenatchee Church Plans for 12 Cottages on Site for Homeless Students

Grace Lutheran Church is planning to construct a set of 12 cottages on its site to provide housing for homeless individuals, particularly local college students.

The city of Wenatchee planning department held a meeting on the potential project November 10.

The project is being considered by the city of Wenatchee and the area is zoned to allow for infrastructure such as the cottages. The church is in the 'residential moderate' zoning district and while cottage housing is permitted, humanitarian service and shelter facilities are not permitted. Group homes and student housing would require a conditional use permit in this zoning district.

"Our only frustration is coming from not being able to attain information that we need to have an open conversation with the church and their board about what this is, what their intent is and what the impact may be to the surrounding neighborhood," said Dustin Boreson, nearby homeowner. "The neighborhood surrounding GLC is very passionate about the topic and believes we should be addressing homelessness in our community. The only thing we're contesting at this point, is the 'how?'."

The cottages would include power, water and sewer for the tenants. Grace Lutheran is located on the corner of Washington Street and Elliott Avenue. The proposed cottages would be situated on the north end of the parking lot. The plan would have to receive approval from a number of parties.

"The board's perspective on this is that it's for Wenatchee Valley College homeless students. When we've talked to the congregation and the pastor it was, yes that's the initial intent. However, if they are empty and we have a need, we can put any homeless person in there," said Boreson. "When we had that discussion with the city...they said 'no it was for a specific population as defined by the project, which was the college students."

Boreson adds the nearby neighborhood is hopeful for an open conversation with the church board to get an idea of the goals and potential mitigation if the idea goes south.