City of Corona
Staff Report
400 S. Vicentia Ave.
Corona, CA 92882
File #: 22-0448
PLANNING AND HOUSING COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
DATE: 5/23/2022
TO: Honorable Chair and Commissioners
FROM: Planning and Development Department
APPLICATION REQUEST:
ZTA2022-0001: An application amending Title 17 of the Corona Municipal Code, Section 17.04.244 and Section 17.44.130(G) to revise the length of stay for emergency shelters by amending the definition of Emergency Shelters and standards for emergency shelters in the M-1 zone to establish a person’s duration of occupancy as consecutive days within a one year period, rather than cumulative days within a one year period. (Applicant: City of Corona) RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the Planning and Housing Commission recommend APPROVAL OF ZTA2022-0001 to the City Council, based on the findings contained in the staff report.
BACKGROUND
On November 3, 2021 the City Council approved the 2021-2029 update to the City’s General Plan Housing Element. The Housing Element evaluates the City’s existing and projected housing needs, and establishes goals and policies that are intended to provide housing for all economic segments of the population.
The Housing Element also includes 27 “programs” that achieve the City’s housing goals. The programs include both qualitative and quantitative objectives, and actions to take to achieve the objectives.
Housing Element 2021-2029 Program 21 addresses housing for persons experiencing homelessness.
It clarifies that the City Council adopted a Strategic Plan in June 2020 to address homelessness, and lists eight (8) objectives to further the City’s goal of eliminating homelessness. One of these objectives is as follows:
· Consider establishing a maximum length of stay for emergency shelters to have a limit of no more than 180 consecutive days within a one-year period, instead of a total of 180 days in a City of Corona Page 1 of 3 Printed on 5/18/2022
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File #: 22-0448
more than 180 consecutive days within a one-year period, instead of a total of 180 days in a one-year period.
Currently the Corona Municipal Code (CMC) defines an Emergency Shelter as a place that houses individuals for a total of 180 days in a one-year period. Additionally, the standards for emergency shelters in the M-1 (Light Manufacturing) zone is consistent with the CMC definition. An amendment to the Emergency Shelter definition and to the standards for emergency shelters is needed to achieve the objective listed in Housing Element Program 21.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
ZTA2022-0001 proposes to amend the definition of Emergency Shelter in CMC Section 17.04.244, and the standards for emergency shelters in the M-1 zone in CMC Section 17.44.130(G), to clarify that the duration of occupancy is consecutive days in a one-year period, rather than the total number of days in a one-year period. The amendment requires the addition of one word, as follows:
17.04.244 Emergency shelter.
“Emergency shelter” means housing with minimal supportive services for target populations that is limited to occupancy of 180 consecutive days or less within any one year period. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay.
17.44.130 Standards for emergency shelters in the M-1 zone (G) The length of stay for any client shall be a maximum of 180 consecutive nights in any one year period;
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposal changes a definition in the Zoning Code to clarify a duration of time, which has no physical impacts and does not alter density or capacity. As a result, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(2), the proposal is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed amendment to the municipal code has no fiscal impact.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENTS
A 10-day public notice was advertised in the Sentinel Weekly News as an 1/8 page advertisement.
As of the preparation of this report the Planning Division staff has not received any public comments.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The proposed amendment to the Zoning Code would further the City’s objectives with providing shelter for those experiencing homelessness. The revisions to the City’s definition for Emergency Shelter is consistent with the City’s recently adopted Housing Element, as reflected in Housing Element Program 21 and Housing Element Goal H-2:
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File #: 22-0448
GOAL H-2: Promote and preserve suitable and affordable housing for persons with special needs, including large families, single parent households, persons with disabilities, and seniors and shelter for the unhoused.
Policy H-2.4: Provide emergency shelter with transitional support for City residents, including disadvantaged groups.
FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL OF ZTA2022-0001
The following findings are recommended:
1. The proposed amendment, ZTA2022-0001 has no physical impacts and does not alter density or capacity of an existing land use allowed by the city’s Zoning Code, therefore, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(2), the proposal is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
2. The proposed amendment ZTA2022-0001 provides more flexibility in sheltering persons experiencing homelessness, which supports the City’s 2020 Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness.
3. The proposed amendment ZTA2022-0001 is consistent with General Plan Policy H-2.4, as it expands opportunities for emergency shelter and support for city residents, including disadvantaged groups.
PREPARED BY: JAY EASTMAN, PLANNING MANAGER
SUBMITTED BY: JOANNE COLETTA, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Case Planner: Jay Eastman, AICP (951) 736-2262
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