Story Created:
Mar 4, 2010 at 11:16 AM PST
Story Updated:
Mar 4, 2010 at 11:16 AM PST
WHITTIER — The City Council Feb. 23 gave final approval to a new ordinance laying out rules for private groups or individuals wanting to establish emergency shelters.
It will take effect at the end of the month.
The vote was 4-0 with Councilwoman Cathy Warner absent.
Jeff Collier, director of community development, said the ordinance complies with recent state legislation concerning critical needs of the homeless and amends the California Housing Element law.
It designates the manufacturing zone as the best location to permit emergency shelters without a conditional use permit or other permission from a city as the state law requires.
Another requirement is to identify a site with sufficient capacity to accommodate the need for emergency shelters for at least one year, Collier said.
However, the shelters must meet the same standards as other buildings in that zone and cities must compile a written list of standards such as maximum number of beds, on-site management, length of stay of clients and security procedures and fire safety regulations.
The Planning Commission recently recommended approval of the ordinance after a review by the city attorney.
In a written report to the City Council, Collier said the manufacturing use zones are near the center of the city and have large enough lots to accommodate large structures with minimal setback rules.
He also notes that there are several lots of one acre or more which could accommodate a large shelter.
Those three sites are near major streets with easy access to public transportation and are close to commercial and medical services, he adds.
Collier notes that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has identified the city’s Five Points intersection, where Whittier and Washington boulevards meet Santa Fe Springs Road, La Cuarta Street and Pickering Avenue, as a possible rail station site less than a quarter-mile from the emergency shelter sites.
There are two existing shelters which operate year-round and which have been consulted for their input. They are First Day Coalition, 12426 Whittier Blvd., which can accommodate up to 45 people; and the Salvation Army, at 7926 and 7950 Pickering Ave., which can house up to 37.
A provision in the city ordinance excludes First Day and the Salvation Army shelters from the requirement to be in a manufacturing use zone as neither are.
If not excluded, they would be considered non-conforming and required to leave in 20 years, Collier said.
Also excluded are cold weather shelters and those providing housing for victims of domestic violence.
Under the city law, the shelters could provide housing for a homeless person for up to six months.
A homeless shelter must be at least 500 feet from a similar facility and at least 250 feet away from a park or school.
The city ordinance states that a shelter may not house more than 45 people and sleeping accommodations for men and women must be separate. A private storage area must be provided near each bed and use of alcoholic beverages or drugs are prohibited, as are weapons of any kind.
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