(1) Except with respect to the secure community transition facility established pursuant to RCW 71.09.250, the secretary shall develop policy guidelines that balance the average response time of emergency services to the general area of a proposed secure community transition facility against the proximity of the proposed site to risk potential activities and facilities in existence at the time the site is listed for consideration.

(2) In no case shall the policy guidelines permit location of a facility adjacent to, immediately across a street or parking lot from, or within the line of sight of a risk potential activity or facility in existence at the time a site is listed for consideration. “Within the line of sight” means that it is possible to reasonably visually distinguish and recognize individuals.

(3) The policy guidelines shall require that great weight be given to sites that are the farthest removed from any risk potential activity.

(4) The policy guidelines shall specify how distance from the location is measured and any variations in the measurement based on the size of the property within which a proposed facility is to be located.

(5) The policy guidelines shall establish a method to analyze and compare the criteria for each site in terms of public safety and security, site characteristics, and program components. In making a decision regarding a site following the analysis and comparison, the secretary shall give priority to public safety and security considerations. The analysis and comparison of the criteria are to be documented and made available at the public hearings prescribed in RCW 71.09.315.

(6) Policy guidelines adopted by the secretary under this section shall be considered by counties and cities when providing for the siting of secure community transition facilities as required under RCW 36.70A.200.

Purpose—Severability—Effective date—2002 c 68: See notes following RCW 36.70A.200.

Intent—Severability—Effective dates—2001 2nd sp.s. c 12: See notes following RCW 71.09.250.