In accordance with the authority granted in Section 65583 of the California Government Code, this Chapter provides the standards for the establishment and operation of emergency shelters.

(Ord. No. 264, § 24, 6-12-2012)

Emergency shelters, as defined in Section 18.06.278, shall be permitted in the M2-Industrial zone district, subject to site and architectural review, which shall be limited to design review only. The City shall not require a Conditional Use Permit or other discretionary permit for the construction of an emergency shelter.

(Ord. No. 264, § 24, 6-12-2012)

A.

An emergency shelter shall be located at least 300 feet from any other emergency shelter.

B.

The distance of separation shall be measured in a straight line between the property lines of each use without regard to intervening structures, objects, or City limit lines.

(Ord. No. 264, § 24, 6-12-2012)

A.

Each emergency shelter may have a maximum of 25 beds, with at least 35 square feet of sleeping area per bed.

B.

Each emergency shelter shall provide a client waiting and intake area of at least ten square feet per bed but at least 200 square feet in total floor area. The intake waiting area shall be in a location not visible from the adjacent right-of-way. If located at the exterior of a building, the area shall be visually separated from public view by a six-foot high decorative masonry wall and shall be covered for shade and rain considerations.

C.

Living, dining, and kitchen areas shall be physically separated from sleeping areas.

D.

Each emergency shelter shall provide facilities for personal care (i.e., bathroom and shower facilities).

E.

The shelter shall provide landline telephone services separate from the office phone in order to provide privacy. Any payphones provided shall allow call-out service only.

F.

One parking space for each 500 square feet of gross floor area shall be provided, unless it is demonstrated that a different parking ratio is appropriate based upon the submittal and approval of a parking study prepared by a qualified traffic engineer to justify the provision of a lesser number of spaces than that required by this Section, based on shared use of spaces, the nature of the use, or other factors.

1.

The design of off street parking facilities shall comply with Chapter 18.60 (Off-Street Parking).

2.

Non operational and unregistered vehicles shall not be kept on site and towing shall be the responsibility of the shelter operator.

G.

Parking and outdoor facilities shall be designed to provide security for residents, visitors and employees.

H.

The facility and/or the premises shall be accessed by one entrance.

I.

Adequate external lighting shall be provided for security purposes. The lighting shall be stationary, shielded, and directed away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way, and of an intensity that is compatible with the neighborhood.

J.

Trash enclosures and refuse areas shall be provided.

(Ord. No. 264, § 24, 6-12-2012)

A.

The maximum length of stay shall be 180 days within 365 consecutive days.

B.

The provider shall prepare and file a management plan with the City that includes clear operational rules and standards, including, but not limited to, standards governing expulsions and lights out, security, screening of residents to ensure compatibility with services provided at the shelter.

1.

Staff and services shall be provided to assist residents to obtain permanent shelter and income. Supplemental services (e.g., food, counseling, access to other social programs, etc.) may be offered on the inside of the premises.

C.

At least one facility supervisor/manager shall be on-site at all hours that the facility is open. Additional support staff shall be provided, as necessary, to ensure that at least one staff member is provided in all segregated sleeping areas, as appropriate.

D.

The operator shall provide information about how to contact the operator with questions or concerns regarding shelter operations. The contact information shall be posted on site where it is readily viewable by an employee, shelter inhabitant, or representative of a governmental agency.

E.

Security personnel shall be provided during the hours that the shelter is in operation.

F.

The shelter operator shall frequently patrol the surrounding area within 500 feet to ensure that homeless shelter residents are not congregating in the neighborhood.

G.

The shelter operator shall regularly patrol the area surrounding the shelter site during hours that the shelter is in operation to ensure that homeless persons who have been denied access are not congregating in the neighborhood.

H.

The owner/operator shall maintain the exterior of the premises, including:

1.

Maintaining signs and accessory structures, free of litter and graffiti at all times;

2.

Daily removal of trash from the premises and abutting sidewalks or alleys within 20 feet of the premises; and

3.

Removal of graffiti within 24 hours of notice from the City.

(Ord. No. 264, § 24, 6-12-2012)

Each emergency shelter operator shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local codes, including but not limited to, the building code, fire code, and State Department of Social Services licensing requirements.

(Ord. No. 264, § 24, 6-12-2012)

A.

The City may not disapprove an emergency shelter, or condition the approval of an emergency shelter in a manner that makes its development infeasible, unless it makes written findings, based upon substantial evidence in the record, as to one of the following:

1.

The City has met or exceeded the need for emergency shelters as identified in the housing element.

2.

The emergency shelter would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact without rendering the development of the emergency shelter financially infeasible. As used in this Subsection, a "specific, adverse impact" means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete.

3.

The denial of the project or imposition of conditions is required in order to comply with specific State or Federal law, and there is no feasible method to comply without rendering the development of the emergency shelter financially infeasible.

(Ord. No. 264, § 24, 6-12-2012)