85AA - CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR HOMELESS SHELTER

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City Manager OCTA Bus Terminal Building March 26, 2012 Page 2 Housing Element Goals #47 and #48 address emergency shelter and transitional housing needs in Santa Ana. The process to create the overlay zone and permitting procedures envisioned in these goals is underway. The City Is committed to these goals, but also to achieving them in ways that include community and business Input. City has a Track Record of Helping Disadvantaged People Santa Ana Is home to numerous non - profits and other organizations that focus on helping disadvantaged people ranging from the homeless, the disabled, at -risk youth, the elderly, women and children, and others. The City will fulfill Its commitment to address homelessness pursuant to the Housing Element. PRACTICAL CONCERNS Required Building Code Upgrades May Prove Challenging, Expensive The OCTA bus terminal building was constructed to sere two purposes: a bus parking area at ground -level with administrative office space above. Using some or all of the property for a homeless facility would constitute a change of use under the California Building Code. Counties and cities are required to implement these statewide codes on private development, but also to comply with them for their own projects. Depending upon the scope of the County - proposed homeless facility, the building code could require to upgrades to seismic, structural, and accessibility (ADA) standards. Changing the use of a building from one purpose to another can be challenging and costly. Homeless Facility in this Building Will Not Improve Conditions in the Civic Center it appears the purchase of the OCTA bus terminal may in part be motivated by an interest to address the impacts of the large homeless population in the Civic Center by providing a new gathering spot. Despite whatever improvements may be contemplated, we are doubtful that the bus terminal will mitigate the impacts in the Civic Center. We note that the Civic Center is an attractive area filled with benches, tables, other seating areas, expansive lawns, numerous shade trees, etc. We believe that these amenities will continue to attract this population. 85AA -32