§ 21.64.330. Regulations for homeless shelters.

A.

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide development standards for homeless shelters in the unincorporated non-coastal areas of Monterey County.

B.

Applicability. The provisions of this section are applicable in Community Plan Areas or Rural Centers with zoning designations of Mixed Use, High Density Residential or Community Plan.

C.

Regulations. A homeless shelter is an allowed use in any Community Plan Area or Rural Center with zoning designations of Mixed Use, High Density Residential or Community Plan (with a land use designation of Mixed Use or High Density Residential), subject to the following standards in each case:

1.

Location. Homeless shelters shall be allowed only where adequate water supply and sewage disposal facilities exist as determined by the Director of Environmental Health, and homeless shelters shall be located no further than two thousand five hundred (2,500) feet from a public transit stop.

2.

Size Limits. The maximum number of clients permitted to be served (eating, showering or sleeping) nightly shall not exceed the total number of beds provided within the facility or one person per one hundred twenty-five (125) square feet of floor area, which ever is less.

3.

Management. At a minimum, one on-site manager and one supporting staff member shall be provided in each sleeping area that is in use. Managers and supporting staff shall not be counted for the purpose of calculating the size limits pursuant to this section.

4.

Operations Plan. The operator of the homeless shelter shall submit an Operations Plan to the Director of Planning for review and approval prior to the issuance of any construction permits. The Operations Plan shall contain, at a minimum, the following elements:

a.

Security Plan. The Security Plan shall include provisions for on-site security including lighting, security cameras, and other measures appropriate to provide for adequate health and safety of clients and management and to aid in avoiding the potential for nuisances near the site. The operator shall also demonstrate that emergency service providers including the Sheriff's Office, the local Fire Department and the appropriate ambulance operators have been adequately notified and will provide services to the shelter.

b.

Neighborhood Relations Plan. The Plan shall include provisions for addressing potential neighborhood concerns, including regular meetings with abutting neighbors and contact information in case of emergency.

5.

Proximity to Other Homeless Shelters. No homeless shelter shall be within a 300-foot radius from another homeless shelter.

6.

Length of Stay. Individual occupancy is limited to six or fewer consecutive months and shall not exceed three hundred (300) days within a 12-month period.

7.

Segregated Sleeping Areas. Segregated lavatory and bathing areas shall be provided if the homeless shelter accommodates both men and women in the same building. Segregated sleeping, lavatory and bathing areas for families may also be provided.

8.

Onsite Waiting and Intake Areas. A minimum of five percent of the total square footage of a homeless shelter shall be designated for indoor on-site waiting and client intake areas. In addition, an exterior waiting area shall be provided, the minimum size of which is equal to or larger than the minimum interior waiting and intake area.

9.

Off-street parking shall be provided, in accordance with Section 21.58.040.

(Ord. No. 5177, § 54, 5-24-2011)