Marina Municipal Code Ch. 17.49 Low-Barrier Navigation Center

Sections: Purpose and intent. Definitions. Applicability. Permit required. Development and operational standards.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish development standards for low-barrier navigation centers (LBNC) and to ensure this use is constructed and operated in a manner that is consistent with the requirements and allowances of state law, specifically Article 12 of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Planning and Zoning Law commencing with California Government Code Section 65660. (Ord. 2022-04 § 3 (Exh. A), 2022)

A. “Low-barrier navigation center” (LBNC) is a housing-first, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. “Low barrier” means best practices to reduce barriers to entry, and may include, but is not limited to, the following: 1. The presence of partners if it is not a population-specific site, such as for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, women, or youth. 2. Pets. 3. The storage of possessions. 4. Privacy, such as partitions around beds in a dormitory setting or in larger rooms containing more than two beds, or private rooms. B. “Use by right” has the meaning defined in California Government Code Section 65583.2(i). Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the California Public Resources Code shall not apply to actions taken by a public agency to lease, convey, or encumber land owned by a public agency, or to facilitate the lease, conveyance, or encumbrance of land owned by a public agency, or to provide financial assistance to, or otherwise approve, a low-barrier navigation center constructed or allowed by this chapter. (Ord. 2022-04 § 3 (Exh. A), 2022)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all low-barrier navigation center projects proposed in mixed-use and nonresidential zoning districts that allow multifamily uses (C-R, C-1, and C-2). (Ord. 2022-04 § 3 (Exh. A), 2022)

Zoning clearance approval is required prior to establishment of any LBNC project meeting the criteria in Section 17.49.050. The permit shall be a ministerial action without discretionary review or a hearing. The city shall notify a developer whether the developer’s application is complete within thirty days, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65943. Action shall be taken within sixty days of a complete application being filed. (Ord. 2022-04 § 3 (Exh. A), 2022)

A low-barrier navigation center development is a use by right in areas zoned for mixed-use and nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses, if it meets the following requirements:

A. Connected Services. It offers services to connect people to permanent housing through a services plan that identifies services staffing. B. Coordinated Entry System. It is linked to a coordinated entry system, so that staff in the interim facility or staff who co-locate in the facility may conduct assessments and provide services to connect people to permanent housing. “Coordinated entry system” means a centralized or coordinated assessment system developed pursuant to 24 CFR Section 576.400(d) or 578.7(a)(8), as applicable, as those sections read on January 1, 2020, and any related requirements, designed to coordinate program participant intake, assessment, and referrals. C. Code Compliant. It complies with Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 8255) of Division 8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. D. Homeless Management Information System. It has a system for entering information regarding client stays, client demographics, client income, and exit destination through the local homeless management information system, as defined by 24 CFR Section 578.3. (Ord. 2022-04 § 3 (Exh. A), 2022) 17.50.010 17.50.020 17.50.030 17.50.040 17.50.050 17.50.060 17.50.070 17.50.080 17.50.090 17.50.100 17.50.110 17.50.120 17.50.130 17.50.140 17.50.150 17.50.160