Agenda - Planning Commission - 11/07/2013

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After reviewing their hosting schedule for 2014, which currently has commitments from partner churches for forty-seven (47) of the fifty-two (52) weeks, FPAC submitted an application for an interim use permit. FPAC is seeking permission to provide temporary emergency lodging accommodations for up to fourteen (14) 'guests' plus one (1) staff person. The Family Promise national model does not include overnight accommodations and this is not their preference; however, FPAC is making this request for the sole purpose of having a back-up plan in place if they are unable to find alternative accommodations (rather than potentially putting these families out on the street). As noted previously, FPAC works with partner churches throughout Anoka County that provide meals and lodging accommodations for their program participants. FPAC does not cook any meals on site; in fact, their facility does not even have a stove. Through FPAC, families can do laundry and shower at the day center in addition to searching for employment and housing. Based on the activities currently occurring on site (showering, laundry, and dishwasher), there would not be much increase in water usage, which is important as this building is still serviced by a septic system. The septic system is new (installed in 2012) and was sized based on water usage data from FPAC's former place of operation in Coon Rapids. The design, however, did state that FPAC must also install a water meter inside the structure to monitor only water used for domestic activities (i.e. would not include irrigation). This was a precaution to ensure that the capacity of the septic system was not exceeded. It does not appear that a meter was ever installed. Staff is researching whether this type of use would be subject to any type of lodging licensing. The Minnesota Department of Health has delegated licensing of lodging establishments to Anoka County. As of the writing of this case, Staff has not heard had definitively from Anoka County Environmental Services whether this emergency temporary type of lodging would be subject to licensing. However, a term of the interim use permit does stipulate that FPAC would be required to obtain any and all applicable permits and/or licenses prior to commencing this use or provide documentation to the City that no such licenses or permits are required. FPAC is requesting the interim use permit for the maximum allowable time of five (5) years. Also, they are seeking approval to provide emergency lodging accommodations for up to twelve weeks per year at their day center (14515 Nowthen Blvd NW) for a maximum of fourteen (14) 'guests' and one (1) staff member. FPAC was agreeable to limiting this to no more than one (1) week per month. Alternatives Alternative # 1: Recommend that the City Council approve the interim use permit as requested. FPAC follows the national model of Family Promise, which relies on faith organizations and volunteers to meet the immediate basic needs of food and shelter of homeless families. FPAC would prefer not to provide emergency temporary lodging for their 'guests' as that is contrary to the national model and puts additional strain on their staff. Thus, their request is solely for emergency situations in which they are unable to find a partner church to act as a host. Looking at their 2014 hosting schedule, there are only five (5) weeks that they have yet to secure a host. Furthermore, the water demands would not be substantially greater during times of overnight stays as the activities that consume the most water (showering, laundry and running the dishwasher once per day) are already occurring during the day. If a meter is installed to monitor the water usage, it could provide the data showing either that the current system has sufficient capacity for the use or that the system needs upsizing for additional capacity. Alternative #2: Recommend that the City Council approve the interim use permit with modifications. Based on the discussion, the Planning Commission may identify additional conditions and/or findings that are deemed relevant and germain to the requested use. If so, Staff could be directed to incorporate those conditions and/or findings prior to consideration by the City Council. Alternative #3: Recommend that the City Council deny the interim use permit. The intent of the interim use permit would be to provide an emergency fall back option for FPAC in the event that there are no other alternatives for their program participants. FPAC has been operating this their current location for approximately one (1) year now and, while they have made two (2) requests to the City to allow overnight accommodations at their day center facility, they ultimately have found a partner to provide the accommodations. As this is truly meant to be a temporary measure, Staff would not support this alternative.