Division 4 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY ZONE

The purpose of this section is to establish an emergency shelter overlay zone, where emergency homeless shelter may be established without the need of a conditional use permit.

(Ord. No. 2034, § 3, 6-11-24)

The city identifies parcels of land, located one block east of the Menlo Avenue and State Street intersection, as acceptable for permitting the establishment of an emergency shelter pursuant to Government Code § 65583(a)(4) without requiring a conditional use permit.

Mixed use, as an integrated mix of supporting residential and office/commercial uses on the site identified in conjunction with wrap around services, including low barrier navigation center pursuant to California Civil Code § 51.3.5 to support the emergency homeless shelter is acceptable for permitting without requiring a conditional use permit.

This area is located within the zone C-1 neighborhood commercial zone, and is subject to the development standards in effect, except as provided in section 90-959. The city amends the zoning code to create an overlay zone located exclusively on the parcels described above. Whenever the overlay zone is placed on the official zoning map, the designation shall be as indicated in the map legend.

(Ord. No. 2034, § 3, 6-11-24)

(a)

Emergency shelter facilities shall comply with all federal and state licensing requirements.

(b)

Emergency shelter facilities and all other ancillary or mixed use or residential supportive uses shall comply with all applicable Uniform Building and Fire Codes, including maximum occupancy restrictions.

(c)

The property must be located within the emergency shelter overlay zone

(Ord. No. 2034, § 3, 6-11-24)

Emergency shelter shall comply with all standards provide by this chapter.

(a)

Development standards.

(1)

Location and separation.

a.

Emergency shelter facilities should be located within one-half mile of a transit corridor or existing bus route.

b.

All emergency shelter programs must be situated more than 300 feet from any other emergency shelter or similar shelter program.

(2)

Physical characteristics.

a.

The size of an emergency facility shall be in character with the surrounding neighborhood and in compliance with the development standards of the C-1 neighborhood commercial zone.

b.

The maximum number of beds for the existing emergency shelter shall be 50 with the opportunity for expansion (new construction) up to 100 beds, excluding Palette Shelter Pilot Program units.

c.

Smoke detectors, approved by the fire department, must be provided in all sleeping and food preparation areas.

d.

Fire sprinklers designed to 2022 NFPA 130 may be required for new construction.

e.

At least one accessible route shall be provided within the site from accessible parking spaces and accessible parking loading zones, public streets and sidewalks, and public transportation stops, to the accessible building or facility entrance they serve. If more than one route is provided, all routes must be accessible.

f.

The site shall provide adequate space for emergency response vehicles.

g.

The facility shall have adequate private living space, shower and toilet facilities and secure storage areas for its intended residents.

h.

The facility shall have at least one room, which has 120 square feet of floor area. Other habitable rooms shall have an area not less than 70 square feet. When more than two persons occupy a room used for sleeping purposes, the required floor area shall be increased at the rate of 50 square feet for each occupant in excess of two.

(b)

Operational and management standards.

(1)

The emergency shelter provider shall prepare and file a management plan with the community development department that includes clear operational rules and standards, including, but not limited to, staff training, security, screening of clients, mechanisms to address loitering, management of outdoor areas, and opportunities for training, counseling, and treatment programs for residents.

(2)

If an emergency shelter includes a drug or alcohol abuse counseling component, appropriate state and/or federal licensing shall be required.

(3)

The emergency shelter shall provide accommodations appropriate for a maximum stay of 180 days per client/family.

(4)

Parking. The emergency shelter shall accommodate sufficient parking for staff given that it does not require more parking for emergency shelters than other residential or commercial uses within the same zone.

(5)

Client intake area. The client intake area shall be not less than 500 square feet in total floor area.

(6)

Outdoor activity. For purposes of noise abatement and neighborhood compatibility, outdoor activities on site are limited to the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

(7)

The emergency shelter shall identify a transportation system that will provide its clients with a reasonable level of mobility including, but not limited to, access to social services, housing and employment opportunities.

(8)

The emergency shelter shall include clear and acceptable arrangements for facility occupants, such as onsite meal preparation or food provision and disbursement.

(9)

The emergency shelter, where applicable, shall provide child care services and ensure that school-aged children are enrolled in school during their stay at the facility.

(10)

The emergency shelter provider shall have a written management plan including, as applicable, provisions for staff training, neighborhood outreach, security, screening of residents to ensure compatibility with services provided at the facility and for training, counseling, and treatment programs for occupants.

(11)

Emergency shelters shall establish written expectations of residents—behavioral, medical, etc. Expectations of residents will be available to each resident at entry to the shelter, and to the public (upon request).

(12)

Emergency shelters shall have infection control policies in accordance with guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control covering but not necessarily limited to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.

(13)

Emergency shelters shall maintain a record of clients and visitors at all times. Clients will have immediate 24-hour access to shelter staff and no walk-in services will be provided at any time in the safe house itself.

(14)

Emergency shelters shall provide on-site management and support staff at all times during shelter use.

(Ord. No. 2034, § 3, 6-11-24)

Secs. 90-960—90-979. - Reserved.