HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD Dominican Sisters Lourdes Convent - Transitional Housing Use____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: 12/16/2019
Disposition: Resolution 14752 (as amended)
Agenda Item No: 5.b
Meeting Date: December 16, 2019
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Prepared by: Paul A. Jensen,
Community Development Director
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: DOMINICAN SISTERS LOURDES CONVENT – TRANSITIONAL HOUSING USE
SUBJECT: 77 Locust Avenue – Request for a Use Permit Amendment for the Lourdes Convent
to permit the continued use of the “Yellow Hallway” area (1,995 square foot area of
the convent) as a single, residential unit for transitional housing, which is shared
by two adult women and their children. The Use Permit Amendment requests that
the transitional housing use be continued in perpetuity or until such time the
applicant notifies the City of its intent to cease such use. Sisters of Third Order of
St. Dominic Congregation of the Most Holy Name Support Charitable Trust, property
owner; Gary Ragghianti, applicant. Case Number: UP19-039.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On May 15, 2017, the City Council denied an appeal of the Planning Commission’s action and upheld
the Zoning Administrator’s approval of a Use Permit Amendment (UP16-057) for the Lourdes Convent
(77 Locust Avenue). The Use Permit Amendment permitted the conversion of the 1,995-square foot
“yellow hallway” area of the convent to a single, residential unit for transitional housing (short-term
residency, up to 24 months), which is to be shared by two single women and their children. As
requested by the applicant, the transitional housing was to be available for two years following
occupancy of the unit. Consequently, the Use Permit Amendment was conditioned that the use would
“sunset” after two years. The single residential unit use for transitional housing has been in operation
since October 26, 2017.
The applicant is requesting a Use Permit Amendment (UP19-039) to continue the single, residential
unit use for transitional housing. The request is to extend the current transitional housing use in
perpetuity, or until such time the applicant notifies the City its intent to cease this use. Staff has
reviewed this request and finds it to be reasonable and logical. During the two years of operation, there
have been no issues or concerns about the transitional housing use.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council: open the public hearing and accept public comment; and
adopt the attached resolution conditionally approving the Use Permit Amendment (UP19-039).
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
BACKGROUND:
Site Description/Setting
The Lourdes Convent, which is owned by the Sisters of Third Order of St. Dominic Congregation of the
Most Holy Name Support Charitable Trust (Dominican Sisters) is a 16,450-square-foot convent
retirement center located at 77 Locust Avenue. The retirement center operates under Use Permit
(UP79-18) approved by the City in 1979. The 2.1-acre property is located within the PD (Planned
Development) District and is bordered by single-family residences (to the north, west and east and the
Dominican Sisters’ “Mother House” convent and residence (to the south).
2017 Use Permit Amendment for “Transitional Housing”
In late 2016, the Dominican Sisters filed a Use Permit Amendment application for the Lourdes Convent.
The Use Permit Amendment application proposed to convert a 1,995-square-foot portion of the
Convent’s congregate care facility (which initially housed 10 residential rooms; encompassing
approximately 12% of the convent facility area and referred to as the “yellow hallway”) to a single,
residential unit. The single residential unit was designed to contain a parlor, kitchen, bathroom and
seven sleeping rooms. This single residential unit was to be available to and shared by two single
women, each with two young children (up to eight years in age). The shared dwelling unit was
proposed to be “transitional housing,” meaning that it would provide short-term residency for the
tenants, who would ultimately transition to permanent housing. The Use Permit Amendment request
proposed that the use operate for a period of two years following initial unit occupancy. At the end of
two years, the use would terminate, and the Use Permit Amendment would sunset.
Homeward Bound of Marin, a local non-profit agency that provides shelter and services for the
homeless proposed to manage the residential unit and the tenancy. As part of the 2017 Use Permit
Amendment application, Homeward Bound presented a list of criteria used to screen and select
potential residents, and the residents must enter into an occupancy agreement. The agreement
includes, among others, the following terms:
The adult tenant/occupant must be a Homeward Bound program participant.
Month-to-month occupancy not to exceed 24 months.
The dwelling unit can be occupied by only the program participant and the persons
noted in the agreement.
Occupancy of the unit by guests cannot exceed seven (7) consecutive days. Extended
stay by guest requires the written approval by Homeward Bound staff.
Subletting is prohibited.
Pets are prohibited.
Smoking inside the unit is prohibited.
As a program participant, tenants/occupants are required to comply with a “clean and
sober environment” policy.
Tenants must sign a “Code of Conduct.”
The tenant/resident screening criteria developed by Homeward Bound and approved by the Dominican
Sisters include, among others:
The adult tenant/occupant must be a single mother with children under the age of eight.
The adult tenant/occupant must be six-months sober and committed to a recovery plan.
The adult tenant/occupant must be working toward economic self-sufficiency.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
The adult tenant/occupant must be able to pay $550.00 per month for rent and utilities.
If the tenant/occupant owns a vehicle, it must be registered and insured.
On January 28, 2017, the Zoning Administrator approved the Use Permit Amendment with conditions.
This action included a response to 17 questions and concerns raised in the Zoning Administrator’s
public hearing (attended by approximately 50 people) and correspondence received by the Community
Development Department. The Notice of Zoning Administrator Action can be accessed and viewed on
the City's public meetings page. The Notice of Action includes the permit conditions and supportive
plans.
Two separate appeals of the Zoning Administrator action were filed by neighboring residents,
Christopher Dolan (AP17-001) and Gary Scholick (AP17-002). On March 14, 2017, the Planning
Commission held a public hearing on the appeals. Following public testimony, the Planning
Commission voted (6-0-1 vote) to deny the appeals and uphold the Zoning Administrator’s action. The
Planning Commission staff report and all correspondence received to that point can be accessed on the
City's public meetings page.
On March 21, 2017, Christopher Dolan filed a timely appeal with the City Clerk. On May 15, 2017, the
City Council held a public hearing on the appeal. Following public testimony and discussion, the City
Council adopted Resolution 14329 denying the appeal of the Planning Commission’s action and
upholding the Zoning Administrator’s conditional approval of the Use Permit Amendment. Resolution
14329 includes the following condition #7:
“7. The Use Permit Amendment is approved for two (2) years commencing on the
issuance date of Certificate of Occupancy. At the end of the two-year period, the
Use Permit Amendment shall terminate. At that time, the kitchen facility shall be
removed, and the area returned to its current use as residential convent rooms. If at
the end of the two-year period the property owner decides to retain the kitchen and
extend the Use Permit Amendment, or re-purpose the yellow hallway area, City
Council approval will be required.”
The May 15, 2017 City Council report can be accessed on the City's public meetings page.
Following City Council action, a building permit application was issued for conversion of the yellow
hallway area to a single residential unit. On October 26, 2017, a final inspection of the area was
completed, and a Certificate of Occupancy was issued.
AN ALYSIS:
The single dwelling unit for transitional housing has been in operation since October 26, 2017. Over the
past two years, there have been no issues or concerns with, or nuisances reported about the use. In fact,
the use has operated with little knowledge of its existence. During this time, there have been no calls for
service, reports of incidents or code violations filed with the Police Department, Public Works Department
or the Code Enforcement Division. The use is a successful example of re-purposing space in an existing
facility from one residential housing type to another, needed housing use.
This Use Permit Amendment requests that this use be permitted in perpetuity or until such time as the
property owner ceases such use of the permitted space.
Amending the Use Permit to extend the single dwelling unit for transitional housing in perpetuity requires
that the City must find the action to be consistent with the General Plan, zoning and other applicable
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4
laws. Staff finds that extending the present use of the “yellow hallway” area in perpetuity would be
consistent with the following applicable policies and laws:
Consistency with San Rafael General Plan 2020
Overall, continuation of the existing use is consistent with pertinent goals, policies and programs of the
San Rafael General Plan 2020. A summary of the key policies and programs is provided as follows:
• Land Use Element- Public/Quasi-Public Land Use Designation. This designation permits a
variety of public and quasi-public land uses including residential use.
Response: Consistent. The single residential unit is allowed under this designation.
• Housing Element- Policy H-9 (Special Needs). Encourage a mix of housing unit types
throughout San Rafael, including very low- and low-income housing for families with children,
single parents, students, young families, lower income seniors, homeless and the disabled.
Accessible units shall be provided in multi-family residential developments consistent with State
and Federal law.
Response: Consistent. The single residential unit provides transitional housing for lower-
income single mothers and their children.
• Housing Element- Policy H-10 (Innovative Housing Approaches). Provide opportunities and
facilitate innovative housing approaches in financing, design and construction of units to
increase the availability of low- and moderate-income housing and especially for housing that
meets the City’s housing needs.
Response: Consistent. The project re-purposed space from one residential housing type to
another, which provides transitional housing for special needs.
• Housing Element- Policy H-11 (House Sharing). Support organizations that facilitate house
sharing, linking seniors and small households with potential boarders to more efficiently use
existing housing stock.
Response: Consistent. The single residential unit is shared between two single parents and
their children.
Consistency with Zoning
As noted above, the property is located within the PD District. As part of the City Council’s May 15,
2017 action on Use Permit Amendment UP16-057, the Council found the transitional housing to be
consistent with the PD District zoning. One of the purposes of the PD District is to accommodate
various types of compatible and complementary uses within a development. The Lourdes Convent
serves as a residence and retirement center for the Dominican Sisters; the transitional housing use of
the yellow hallway area has proven to be compatible and complementary to the convent use and
operation.
Per San Rafael Municipal Code Section 14.07.020 (Land use regulations for PD Districts), a Master
Use Permit or individual Use Permit may be required to establish specific uses on the property
consistent with the General Plan and parking standards. The proposed Use Permit Amendment is
specific to the yellow hallway area and extending the transitional housing use. The single residential
unit has proven to be compatible with the other uses on the subject property, as well as neighboring
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5
residential land uses. Further, as demonstrated in its operation over the past two years, extending the
use in perpetuity would not be detrimental to the health, safety or welfare, or be materially injurious to
properties or improvements in the vicinity.
State Laws Pertinent to Transitional Housing
The City must follow State law mandating provisions and allowances for transitional housing. California
Government Code Section 65583 requires that local jurisdictions must treat transitional housing as a
residential use only, subject only to the same restrictions that apply to other housing of the same type in
the subject zoning district. Because of the PD District zoning, it was determined that a Use Permit
Amendment would be required to convert the yellow hallway to a dwelling unit for any other equivalent
residential use (manager’s residence; caretaker’s residence or separate dwelling for the Dominican
Sisters).
Environmental Determination:
The project proposes the continuation of an existing residential use of a developed space within the
Lourdes Convent facility. This activity is deemed to be categorically exempt from environmental review
per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
Notice of the City Council hearing was provided in accordance with the noticing requirements contained
in Chapter 14.29 (Zoning- Public Notice) of the San Rafael Municipal Code. The notice of the public
hearing was mailed to property owners and residents within 300 feet of the project site and to the pertinent
neighborhood association (Dominican/Black Canyon Neighborhood Association). An expanded noticing
included those that attended the 2017 Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission and City Council
meetings. Further, notice of the public hearing was published in the Marin Independent Journal. The
public hearing notice for the City Council meeting is attached (Attachment 2).
Correspondence received on this project is provided in Attachment 3.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Review and action on this Use Permit Amendment has no fiscal impact on the City of San Rafael.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution approving the Use Permit Amendment.
2. Deny the Use Permit Amendment.
3. Continue the matter for additional information.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. City Council public hearing notice
3. Correspondence
1
RESOLUTION NO. 14752
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A USE PERMIT
AMENDMENT (UP19-039) TO PERMIT THE CONTINUED USE OF THE “YELLOW HALLWAY”
AREA OF THE LOURDES CONVENT AS A SINGLE RESIDENTIAL UNIT FOR TRANSITIONAL
HOUSING IN PERPETUITY AT 77 LOCUST AVENUE (APN 015-112-23)
WHEREAS, the Sisters of Third Order of St. Dominic Congregation of the Most Holy Name
Support Charitable Trust (Dominican Sisters) own and occupy the “Lourdes Convent” located at 77
Locust Avenue. The 2.1-acre property is developed with a 16,450-square foot convent facility that
houses a retirement center with congregate care unit for retired nuns; The retirement center and
ancillary uses operate under a Use Permit (UP79-18) that was issued by the City in 1979. The
Lourdes Convent property was rezoned from the U (Unclassified) District to PD (Planned
Development) District in 1992; and
WHEREAS, in late 2016, the Dominican Sisters filed an application to amend the Lourdes
Convent Use Permit (UP16-057) to convert a 1,995-square-foot portion of the retirement center
(“yellow hallway” area) from residential rooms to a single residential unit with a kitchen for transitional
housing. In partnership with Homeward Bound, the residential unit would be made available to two
single women and their children as a shared residence. The shared unit would be for “transitional
housing” for the residents. The Use Permit Amendment request was for two years following unit
occupancy; and
WHEREAS, on January 4, 2017, the Zoning Administrator held a duly noticed public hearing
on the Use Permit amendment application and rendered a final written decision on January 28, 2017
conditionally approving the application; and
WHEREAS, on March 14, 2017, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing
to review and consider Appeals AP17-001 and AP17-002 to the Zoning Administrator’s approval of
Use Permit Amendment UP16-057 and considered all oral and written public testimony and the
written report of the Community Development Department. Planning Commission, on a 6-0-1 vote
adopted Resolution No. 17-02 denying Appeals AP17-001 and AP-002 and upholding the Zoning
Administrator’s approval of Use Permit UP16-057. As part of this action and at the recommendation
of staff, the Planning Commission amended Use Permit UP16-057 condition #7, to clarify and simplify
condition #7 which set a two-year term in the Use Permit for the transitional housing use; and
WHEREAS, on March 21, 2017, a timely appeal of the Planning Commission action (Appeal
AP17-003) was filed. The written appeal was appropriately filed with the City Clerk; and
WHEREAS, on May 15, 2017, the City Council held a public hearing to consider Appeal
AP17-003, take public testimony, consider the evidence in the record, and review the findings and
decision of the Planning Commission. On a 5-0 vote, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 14329
denying the appeal and upholding the Zoning Administrator’s approval of the Use Permit Amendment
(UP16-057). The City Council’s action included the following Use Permit Condition #7, which
approved the transitional housing use for a two-year period following occupancy of the single
residential dwelling unit:
“7. The Use Permit Amendment is approved for two (2) years commencing on the issuance
date of a Certificate of occupancy. At the end of the two-year period, the Use Permit
Amendment shall terminate. At that time the kitchen facility shall be removed, and the area
shall be returned to its current use as residential convent rooms. If at the end of the two-year
2
period the property owner decides to retain the kitchen and extend the Use Permit
Amendment or re-purpose the yellow hallway area, City Council approval will be required.”;
and
WHEREAS, in 2017, building permits were issued to convert the yellow hallway area into a
single residential dwelling unit. Upon completion of construction, the City issued a Certificate of
Occupancy on October 26, 2017, which established a sunset date for the Use Permit Amendment;
and
WHEREAS, the temporary use has been in full operation since October 26, 2017. During this
time, there have been no complaints filed with the City about the transitional housing use nor have
there been incidents of nuisance; and
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2019, a timely application for a Use Permit Amendment
(UP19-039) was filed by the applicant requesting continued use of the yellow hallway area as a single
residential dwelling unit for transitional housing for two single women and their children. The Use
Permit Amendment requests that this use be permitted in perpetuity or until such time as the property
owner ceases such use of the permitted space; and
WHEREAS, per UP16-057 condition #7, the current request to extend the transitional housing
use in perpetuity requires the review and action of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, on December 16, 2019, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to
accept public comment, and consider the Use Permit Amendment UP19-039 application, including
the evidence in the record; and
WHEREAS, the project has deemed to be exempt from environmental review per California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); and
WHEREAS, the custodian of documents which constitute the record of proceedings upon
which this decision is based, and all correspondence received to date on this matter by the City of
San Rafael;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby approves the Use
Permit Amendment UP19-039 based on the following findings and subject to the following conditions:
Findings for UP19-039
1. The existing transitional housing use and continuation of this use in perpetuity is in accord with
the General Plan 2020, the objectives of the City Zoning Ordinance, and the purposes o f the PD
(Planned Development) District in that:
a. The General Plan 2020 Land Use Element land use map designates Lourdes Convent for
public/quasi-public use. This land use designation permits residential use. The current use,
the Lourdes Convent, is a residential use. The transitional housing is also a residential use
and is therefore consistent with the allowances of this land use designation.
b. The use is consistent with General Plan 2020 Housing Element Policy H -9, which
recognizes special needs. Policy H-9 encourages a mix of housing unit types throughout
San Rafael, including housing for very low - and low-income families with children and single
parents. As proposed, the residential dwelling unit would continue to provide, in perpetuity,
transitional housing for two single mothers with their children living as a single household.
3
c. Consistent with General Plan 2020 Housing Element Policy H -10, the transitional housing
use represents an innovative housing approach that supports the financing, design and
construction of a residential unit that increases the availability of low -income housing.
d. The transitional housing use creates a shared household of two single parents with children,
which would be consistent with General Plan 2020 Housing Element Policy H -11 (House
Sharing).
e. The transitional housing use is consistent with one of the objectives of the PD (Planned
Development) District, which is to accommodate various types of compatible and
complimentary uses within a development. Lourdes Convent presents a setting of
compatible residential uses.
f. The approval of a Use Permit Amendment is appropriate in that the existing transitional
housing use is limited in scope and size, and, over the past two years has not resulted in a
substantial change to the property or use that would necessitate or mandate a
comprehensive, long-term master plan for Lourdes Convent.
2. It has been demonstrated that the existing transitional housing use is not detrimental to the
public health, safety or welfare, or materially injurio us to properties or improvements in the
vicinity, or to the general welfare of the City . Continuation of this use in perpetuity would not
change this finding in that:
a. It would not result in new development, additional building area or major physical change s to
the Lourdes Convent property; the “yellow hallway” represents a small percentage (12%) of
the overall Lourdes Convent facility.
b. The transitional housing use has not resulted in an increase in traffic that would change or
exacerbate existing traffic patterns or conditions or increase safety hazards along the local
street system.
c. There is adequate off-street parking to serve the proposed use without impacting properties
in the vicinity.
d. The transitional housing use has not impaired or reduced safety to the residents of the
convent facility or to surrounding residents .
e. The exterior improvements that were completed for the transitional housing use have not
resulted in a noticeable change to the property conditions and are not injurious to properties
or improvements in the area.
f. Homeward Bound, which manages the transitional housing use has successfully provided
residency oversight to ensure that residents are properly screened and meet the criteria for
residency. This oversight has ensured that the use is properly managed to ensure the
safety and welfare of the residents and the surrounding neighborhood.
3. The existing transitional housing use and continuation of this use in perpetuity complies with
each of the applicable provisions of the Ci ty Zoning Ordinance in that:
a. As required by the provisions of the PD District, the transitional housing use is a residential
use that is compatible with retirement center use. Further, the processing and approval of a
Use Permit Amendment is consistent wit h the requirements of the PD District to ensure that
all uses on one site are compatible and compl ementary.
b. There is adequate parking to meet the City Code.
4. The existing transitional housing use and the continuation of this use in perpetuity meets the
City Zoning Ordinance definition for transitional housing, which complies with State law. Per
California Government Code Section 65583, transitional housing must be treated as a
residential use only, subject to only the same restrictions as other housing of the same type in
the subject zoning district. The sole requirement for the approval of a Use Permit Amendment
is that Lourdes Convent is located within a PD District. A Use Permit Amendment would be
4
required for other similar residential uses proposed for the “yellow hallway” such as a manager’s
or caretaker residence.
Conditions of Approval for UP19-039
1. The conditions of approval for this Use Permit Amendment UP19-039 supersede the conditions of
UP16-057. Except as modified by the conditions of this Use Permit Amendment, all conditions of
approval for Use Permit UP79-18 relating to the use and operation of the Lourdes Convent are
unchanged and shall remain in effect.
2. This Use Permit Amendment approves the continuation of the 1,995 square-foot “yellow hallway”
area of the convent as a single residential dwelling unit (including a kitchen) for transitional
housing. As approved, the residential dwelling unit is approved for a shared household.
3. As the primary tenant of the “yellow hallway,” Homeward Bound is responsible for managing the
oversight of unit residency and operation. As presented in the Use Permit Amendment UP16-057
application, unit residents must be participants in the Homeward Bound program, meet the
screening criteria for occupancy, enter into an occupancy agreement and comply with the Code of
Conduct for residency.
4. This Use Permit Amendment shall allow the existing transitional housing use of the “yellow
hallway” area to continue as long as such use is consistent with the terms and conditions of this
permit and Use Permit UP79-18. In the event the property owner determines to cease such use
in this area or ceases to operate the premises as a convent, written notice shall be provided to the
City. Should the property owner decide to convert the yellow hallway area to a use other than for
residential convent rooms, a zoning determination shall be requested with the City to determine
the appropriate permit requirements.
I, LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk if the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was
duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 16th
day of December 2019 by the following vote to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
~SAN RAFAEL
~ THE CITY WITH A MISSION
ATTACHMENT 2
Public Hearing Notice
UPDATED NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING -CITY COUNCIL
You are invited to atterid the City Council meeting on the following proposed project:
PROJECT: 77 Locust Avenue (Lourdes Convent) -Request for an amendment to the Use Permit for the Lourdes Convent (UP16-057) to permit the continued
use of the "Yellow Hallway" area (1,995-square foot area of the convent) as a single dwelling unit for transitional housing, which is shared by two adult women and
their children. You received an earlier meeting notice for this application to be considered at the December 2 City Council meeting. The date for this request has
been rescheduled for the Monday. December 16 2019 City Council meeting (see details below). The amendment requests that the transitional housing use be
continued in ·perpetuity or until such time the applicant notifies the City of its intent to cease such use . On May 15, 2017, the City Council denied two appeals and
upheld the Zoning Administrator's approval of a Use Permit amendment establishing this transitional housing use, which was conditioned as a temporary use for
two years. APN : 015-112-23; Planned Development (PD) Zoning District; Applicant: Gary Ragghianti; Sisters of the Third Order of St. Dominic Congregation of the
Most Holy Name Support Charitable Trust, property owner; Case No : UP19-039 .
As required by state law, the project's potential environmental impacts have been assessed. Planning staff recommends a finding that this project will not have a
significant effect on the environment and is Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under 14 CCR Section
15301 (Existing Facilities) ..
MEETING DATE/TIME/LOCATION: Monday, December 16, 2019, 7:00 p.m . City Council Chambers, 1400 Fifth Ave at D St, San Rafael , CA
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Paul Jensen, Project Planner at 415-485-5064 or paul.jensen@cityofsanrafael.org . You can also come to the Planning
Division office, located in City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue , to look at the file for the proposed project. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p .m . on Monday,
Tuesday and Thursday and 8:30 a.m . to 1 :30 p.m . on Wednesday and Friday. You can also view the staff report after 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the meeting at
http ://www.cityofsanrafael.org/meetings
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: You can comment on the project. The City Council will consider all public testimony and decide whether to approve or deny the application.
IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT: You can send written correspondence by email to the address above, or by post to the Community Development Department,
Planning Division, City of San Rafael, 1400 51h Avenue, San Rafael ,,CA 94901. You can also hand deliver it prior to the action date .
At the above time and place, all written correspondence received will be noted and all interested parties will be heard . If you challenge in court the matter described above , you may be
limited to raising only those issues you or someone else ra i sed at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered at, or prior to, the above referenced
public meeting (Government Code Section 65009 (b) (2)).
Judicial review of an administrative decision of the City Council must be filed with the Court not later than the 90 th day following the date of the Council's decision . (Code of Civil
Procedure Section 1094.6)
Sign Language and interpretation and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling (415) 485-3085 (voice) or (415) 485-3198 (TDD) at least 72 hours in advance. Copies of
documents are available in accessible formats upon request.
Public transportation to City Hall is available through Golden Gate Transit, Line 22 or 23. Para-transit is available by calling Whistlestop Wheels at (415) 454 -0964. To allow indivi duals
with environmental illness or multiple, chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting, individuals are requested to refrain from wearing scented products.
ATTACHMENT 3
Correspondence
Paul Jensen
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Dear Mr. Jensen,
Chris Santilli Johnson ·
Monday, November 11, 2019 3:11 PM
Paul Jensen
support for 77 Locust Ave (Lourdes Convent)
(
I fully support the continuation of the use of the Lourdes Convent at 77 Locust Ave. for transitional housing. Its success
for the last two years gives credence to it value to the community.
re:
·Case# UP 19-039
APN: 015-112-23
Sincerely,
Christine Johnson
Adjunct Professor at Dominican University and local resident
San Rafael, CA 94901
1
Providing keys to ending homelessness: training, housing, and hope
H(;>meward
nlou11d
OF MARIN
December 6, 2019
Paul Jensen
Community Development Director
City of San Rafael
1400 Fifth Avenue
San Rafaet CA. 94901
Dear Mr. Jensen,
On behalf of Homeward Bound of Marin, we are grateful for the opportunity to extend our
partnership with the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael at the Yellow Hallway.
The Sisters, in their wisdom and generosity, have created a model partnership to address a
pressing community issue, family homelessness. The Yellow Hallway is a safe haven for
mothers and children to gain supportive stability in their journey out of homelessness.
We are grateful, als o , for the City of San Rafael's expansive vision in support of this project,
recognizing that there is much to be gained for the entire community in promoting strategies to
end homelessness in our midst.
Thank you for your confidence in this extraordinary service partnership I
In gratitude,
¾~~
Mary Kay Sweeney, Ph.D.
Executive Director
1385 N. Hamilton Pa rk way. Novato, CA 94949
415-382-3363 • Fax 415 -382 -6010
www.hbofm.org
DOMINICAN
SISTERS
San (J(afae{
S ISTERS OF ST. DOMIN IC
CONGREGAT ION OF TH E MosT Hmv NAME
1520 Grand Avenue
San Rafael CA 94901-2236
December 6, 2019
Mr. Pau I Jensen
Community Developm e nt Director, City of San Rafael
1400 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
Dear Mr. Jensen,
RECEIVED
DEC U Si t019
PLANNING
On the occasion of th e upcoming use permit renewal for our Yellow Hallway Project to
be brought before the Planning Commission, I wanted to take a moment to express words
of appreciation on behalf of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. What began more than
three years ago as an a nswer to a congregational commitment to put our resources to the
best possible use to serve the community has flourished into a community success story
thanks to the support of your office, the mayor's office, and the City of San Rafael.
The Yellow Hallway Pmject is a wonderful partnership we enjoy with Homeward Bound
of Marin that meets a rea l need in our community, and we are grateful to the City of San
Rafael for believing in this project and for the vote of confidence that brought this vision to
fruition.
We believe that fruitful c ommunity partnerships such as the one we enjoy with
Homeward Bound prov i de a wonderful opportunity to provide for those in need while
creating collaborative o pportunities to engage community leaders and neighbors in
meaningful and life-gi v ing work.
I know I speak on behalf of all the Sisters when I say thank you for your belief in the
Yellow Hallway Proje ct.
Sincerely,
k ccw_ cv ~ w
Sister Carla Kovack, OP
Prioress General
PREACHERS OF TRUTH· LOVE· JUSTICE sanrafaelop.org