Emergency shelters may be permitted subject to the following requirements:
(A) Emergency shelters shall be constructed, located, and maintained at all times in compliance with this chapter and all applicable laws and regulations of the city, the state, and the United States of America.
(B) Emergency shelters are allowed by right in the VSP (Valley Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan) zone and the IPD (Industrial Planned Development) zone, provided they meet the minimum property development standards of the zone in which they are located.
(C) Location requirements. Emergency shelters shall meet the following location requirements;
(1) Shall be permitted in the VSP zone only when located in the area bounded by Vega Street to the west and New Avenue to the east.
(2) Shall be permitted in the IPD zone only when located in the area bounded by Orange Street to the north, Mission Road to the south, Raymond Avenue to the east, and Palm Avenue to the west.
(3) There shall be no other emergency shelters within 300 feet of the subject property, nor shall the proposed emergency shelter be located within 1,000 feet from any residential care facility, public park or public school (not including trade or technology schools), as measured from property line to property line.
(4) Shall be located within one-quarter mile of a designated public transportation stop.
(D) Development standards. Emergency shelters, shall meet the following development standards.
(1) Maximum stay. No person(s) shall stay within an emergency shelter for more than six months from the date of their acceptance into the emergency shelter. In addition, no person(s) shall be re-admitted to the same emergency shelter within five calendar days of being discharged.
(2) Maximum number of beds. No more than 12 beds shall be provided on the entire property where the emergency shelter is to be located. Beds shall be provided for men and women in separate and secured areas. No such separation shall be required when beds are located in a bedroom intended for a single family.
(3) Maximum density. The maximum resident density shall be one resident per 150 square feet, up to a maximum of 12 residents.
(4) Waiting area. If the intake of clients occurs on-site there shall be provided an on-site client intake and waiting area in a location not adjacent to the public right-of-way, that is fully screened from public view, and provides consideration for weather events including shade and rain cover. The intake and waiting area shall be suitably sized to prevent queuing in the public right-of-way or within any parking lot, but shall occupy a maximum area of 400 square feet.
(5) Operating hours. Each emergency shelter shall establish and maintain set hours of operation for client intake and discharge. These hours shall be clearly displayed at the entrance to the emergency shelter at all times. In the event an emergency shelter client is socially disruptive, a threat to the safety of others or in violation of the emergency shelter facility rules during non-business hours of operation, the emergency shelter management may proceed with discharging that client immediately.
(6) On-site personnel. On-site personnel shall be provided during all hours of operation when clients are present. A designated area for on-site personnel shall be located near the main entry to the facility for the purpose of controlling admittance into the facility and providing security.
(7) Client restrictions. The emergency shelter operator shall not intake any person as a client of the emergency shelter that the operator knows is wanted by the police or knows has been convicted of committing any violent offense. The emergency shelter operator shall also conduct a background check on all prospective clients using the Megan’s Law database and restrict client intake in accordance with state and local registered sex offender residency restrictions.
(8) Personal storage. A private storage area or closet shall be provided with each on-site bed. At no time shall any client of an emergency shelter be allowed to keep on-site any alcoholic beverages or store any type of illegal substances, illegal drugs, and/or weapons of any kind. The manager of the emergency shelter shall conduct routine inspections of each on-site client’s personal space to verify compliance and report to the Alhambra Police Department any client that is found in possession of illegal substances, illegal drugs, and/or weapons of any kind.
(9) Personal space. A minimum of 30 square feet of personal space shall be allocated for each client bed.
(10) Restroom and shower facilities. A communal restroom facility with at least two toilets, one shower, and one sink shall be provided for every 12 clients residing at an emergency shelter. The emergency shelter manager shall be responsible for ensuring that all restroom and shower facilities comply with all applicable California Building Code requirements. Separate and secured restroom and shower facilities shall be provided for men and women.
(11) Common space. Interior and/or exterior common space for the on-site clients to congregate shall be provided on the property at a ratio of not less than 15 square feet per occupant or a minimum overall area of four hundred square feet, whichever is greater. For the purposes of noise abatement, outdoor activities may only be conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
(12) Telephones. Each emergency shelter shall provide telephone(s) for the use of the on-site clients.
(13) Food service areas. The emergency shelter operator shall be responsible for ensuring that any food service or on-site meal preparation areas comply with all applicable requirements of the city and the Los Angeles County Health Department.
(14) Laundry facilities. The emergency shelter shall provide laundry facilities adequate for the number of clients.
(15) Outdoor storage. Any provision of on-site outdoor storage shall be fully screened from all public rights-of-way and on-site parking lots. The emergency shelter manager shall ensure that all outside storage areas be maintained in a neat, clean, and orderly manner at all times.
(16) Parking. Off-street parking shall be provided at the ratio of one on-site parking space for every five beds, one space for each bedroom intended for families, plus one additional space per staff member. No client shall sleep or live within a motor vehicle on the property of an emergency shelter at any time.
(17) Bicycle racks. Bicycle racks that allow for the secure storage of bicycles shall be provided. Bicycle racks shall accommodate at least one bicycle storage space for every five beds. All bicycle racks are required to be on-site and located in an area that is not visible from the public right-of-way.
(18) Lighting. Each emergency shelter shall provide exterior lighting on pedestrian pathways and parking lots on the property for safety in accordance with the requirements contained in Chapters 23.44 and 23.52 of this title. Lighting shall be shielded and/or reflected away from all residential areas, all adjacent and abutting uses, and public streets and shall be of an intensity compatible with the neighborhood. All on-site lighting shall be subject to the review and approval of the Alhambra Police Department prior to operation.
(19) Landscaping. On-site landscaping shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the requirements contained in Chapters 23.48 and 23.52 of this title.
(20) On-site management/management and security plan. The emergency shelter operator shall be required to submit a management and security plan for review and approval of the Director of Community Development and the Alhambra Chief of Police. The site-specific plan shall describe the following:
(a) Both on-site and off-site needs, including but not limited to, the separation of individual male and female sleeping area, provisions of family sleeping areas, and associated provisions of management.
(b) Specific measures targeting the minimizing of client congregation in the vicinity of the facility during hours that clients are not allowed on-site. Goals and objectives are to be established to avoid disruption of adjacent and nearby uses.
(c) Provisions of a system of management for daily admittance and discharge procedures.
(d) Any counseling programs that are to be provided with referrals to outside assistance agencies, and provide an annual report on a facility’s activity to the city.
(e) All screening processes of potential clients for admittance eligibility.
(f) Procedures and policies for screening of potential residents to identify individualswho should be referred to medical facilities, residential care facilities, other service agencies, or law enforcement.
(g) Staffing plans, including the qualification and responsibilities of all staff members and the number and positions of employees on each shift.
(h) Refuse collection schedule to provide timely removal of associated client refuse on and within the vicinity of the facility.
(i) Fencing, lighting, video cameras, and any other physical improvements intended to provide or enhance security for residents and staff.
(21) Refuse. There shall be provided a refuse storage area that is completely enclosed with masonry walls not less than five feet high with a solid-gated opening and that is large enough to accommodate a standard sized trash bin adequate for the parcel. The refuse enclosure shall be accessible to refuse collection vehicles.
(22) Health and safety. Each emergency shelter shall comply with all applicable local and state health and safety codes such as, but not limited to, the California Building Code, California Fire Code, California Health and Safety Code, and applicable zoning standards for the development and use of the property on which the emergency shelter is located.
(Ord. 4584, passed 6-13-11; Am. Ord. 4585, passed 6-27-11
; Am. Ord. 4735, passed 5-14-18)