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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 8739 (Homeless Shelters Evaluation Standards)RESOLUTION NO. 8739 RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL APPROVING STANDARDS FOR EVALUATING HOMELESS SHELTERS WHEREAS, on February 20, 1990 the City Council accepted the Task Force's Report on the Special Housing Needs of the Homeless which recommended that emergency shelters be allowed with a Use Permit in certain specific zoning districts with performance standards for consideration as conditions of approval; and, WHEREAS, from 1990 to 1992, a draft Zoning Ordinance was prepared consistent with the General Plan and consistent with Task Force recommendations which lists emergency shelters as a conditional use and includes standards to be used in the evaluation of an application for a Use Permit for an emergency shelter; and, WHEREAS, during public hearings and other review of the draft Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Commission recommended that these standards be adopted separately by resolution so they could more easily be amended; and made other changes to the draft standards in response to comments from the public and provider groups; and, WHEREAS, on May 5, 1992, the San Rafael City Council held a duly -noticed Public Hearing, and agreed with the Planning Commission's recommendation to adopt the revised draft performance standards for emergency shelters by resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, consistent with State law 65583 (c)(1) which permits communities to identify a zoning strategy to facilitate development of housing facilities for the homeless, the Council finds that adopting such standards would facilitate development of such facilities by identifying comprehensive use considerations to ensure that shelters are operated and maintained in a manner which provides a satisfactory living environment for its clients and meets other standard use permit concerns of assuring that the use protects the health, safety and general welfare of nearby residents and businesses. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the performance standards are consistent with General Plan goal H -A to meet the need for a variety of housing types, and policies H-39 which encourages a dispersion of shelters for the homeless to avoid an overconcentration in any given area and H-40 which encourages positive relations between neighborhoods and providers of such housing. The foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of San Rafael on Tuesday, September 8th, 1992 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUCILMEMBERS: Breiner, Cohen, Shippey, Thayer & mayor Boro NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ' A. JE � ONC I, City erk oRpce��aI STANDARDS FOR EVALUATING USE PERMITS FOR EMERGENCY SHELTERS Standards to be considered in evaluating Emergency Shelter use permits follow. These standards identify considerations to ensure that shelters are operated and maintained in a manner which provides a satisfactory living environment for its clients and meets other standard use permit concerns of assuring that the use protects the health, safety and general welfare of nearby residents and businesses. Property development and parking standards in the Zoning Ordinance shall be satisfied as required by the Ordinance; and Building, Housing and Fire codes shall be met as stated. All other recommended standards need not be met if, during case by case review, the Planning Commission determines that such standards are unnecessary. Standards for emergency shelters for the homeless shall be as follows: 1. Proverty Develovment Standards. The shelters shall conform to all property development standards of the zoning district in which it is located. 2. Lighting.. All exterior lighting is to be sufficient to establish a sense of well- being to the pedestrian and one that is sufficient to facilitate recognition of persons at a reasonable distance. Type and placement of lighting shall be to the satisfaction of the Police Department. The minimum of one foot candle at ground level overlap is to be provided in all exterior doorways and vehicle parking areas. 3. Landscaving. Landscaping is to be maintained in a healthy and thriving condition to the satisfaction of the Planning Department. Such maintenance should include regular watering, weeding, pruning and replacement of dead or dying plants. 4. Laundry Facilities. The shelter is to provide laundry facilities adequate for the number of residents. S. Shower Facilities. The shelter is to provide shower facilities adequate for the number of residents. 6. Safe/Locked Vault. The development is to provide a safe or locked vault for securing money, jewelry, welfare checks, food stamps and other valuables of the residents. The provider is to manage the safe or vault and maintain an accounting procedure. 7. Common Facilities. The development may provide one or more of the following specific common facilities for the exclusive use of the residents: dining room, recreation room, mini -library, and/or mini -playroom. 8. Parking Facilities. Emergency shelters for the homeless shall provide parking consistent with Chapter 18 (Parking Standards) of the San Rafael Zoning Ordinance. 9. Health and safetv standards. The shelter shall meet all Uniform Building Code and Uniform Housing Code standards to the satisfaction of the Building Department. The facility shall meet Uniform Fire Code requirements to the satisfaction of the Fire Marshal. 10. Food Service. The shelter should provide at least one meal to residents each day. Required permits or approvals from the County Environmental Health Department for the proposed food service or other operations associated with the use shall be actively maintained. 11. Refuse. Shelters are to provide a refuse storage area that is completely enclosed or screened, and that is large enough to accommodate a standard - size trash bin adequate for the site or use. The refuse enclosure is to be accessible to refuse collection vehicles. A permanent location should be provided for the trash enclosure prior to occupancy of the use and subject to Planning Department approval. 12. House Rules/Shelter Operation. The agency or organization operating the shelter is to comply with the following rules and requirements: a. Services. Staff and services are to be provided to assist residents to obtain permanent shelter and income, and to refer residents to appropriate social service agencies and organizations as needed. The agency or organization operating the shelter must demonstrate familiarity with available community resources. b. Religious Freedom. The provider is to notify all clients of any required religious activity. House meetings regarding house rules and group counseling are permitted. c. Client Screening. All client screening is to be administered by staff at the subject location as well as at other designated locations. Initial client screening should include an assessment of other social services or health services which may be needed by the client. d. Loitering All clients are to be given a copy of the rules and regulations to read and agree to prior to admittance into the facility. Clients that are turned away are to be informed that street loitering and panhandling is prohibited. If an employee notices that either activity is occurring, the Center is responsible for informing the individual(s) that these are prohibited activities and contacting the San Rafael Police Department if necessary. e. Admission/Checkout Times. The provider is to submit a plan which specifies normal admission and check-out times. The plan may include exceptions to check-out times for the disabled, ill, elderly, or clients with small children. Check-out times may also be extended to provide counseling services. The plan shall include provisions to discourage trespassing on the premises and street loitering following check-out. (For example, the plan might specify the following: "Upon check-out, all clients shall be informed that they must vacate the premises and that street loitering is prohibited. If a resident does not vacate the property upon check-out, the provider shall contact the Police Department and report a trespassing violation.") f. Prohibition of Alcohol and Other Drugs. No alcoholic beverages and/or other drugs and/or other medication unless prescribed by a physician is to be allowed on the property. g. Suspension of Services for Disorderly Conduct. Residents who cause a peace disturbance or endanger staff or other residents are to be evicted. Readmission of evicted residents is to be based on staff discretion. h. Comvliance with State Requirements. Provider is to maintain evidence of on-going compliance with all State requirements for City review at all times. - 2 - i. Neiehborhood Liaison. Prior to occupancy, the provider is to establish an outreach program with the surrounding neighbors. A staff person from the provider agency is to be designated as a contact person with the community to review questions or comments from the neighborhood. The outreach program is encouraged to appoint a neighborhood resident to serve on the provider's Board of Directors, or on a related advisory council. - 3 -