Tri County Sentry – Navigation Center amendment reviewed

 

Oxnard– The approved zoning text amendments to implement the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element continue with Contract Planner Heather Davis saying the low-barrier navigation center is a housing-first service enriched shelter helping homeless individuals and families to obtain permanent housing quickly.

She said that the proposed amendment allows the establishment of low barrier navigation centers in accordance to Assembly Bill 101. This bill mandates jurisdictions to allow such centers in zones that are designated for multifamily use and mixed-use, non-residential areas.

“The amendment will permit low-barrier navigation centers with a site plan review, non-discretionary permit, in the C2 General Commercial Zone and all Downtown Zones,” she said.

She said that the amendment also updates parking schedules and includes low barrier navigation center parking.

“The parking requirements will be the same as the requirement for emergency shelters, which is one off-street space for the on-site manager,” Davis said.

The amendments include furnished single-room units, permanent affordable rental housing and single-room housing.

“Tenants usually share a kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry facilities,” she said. “Single room occupancy provides a valuable form of affordable, private housing for individuals and can serve as an entry point into the housing market for extremely low-income populations, including formerly homeless persons, seniors and those with disabilities.”

She said Assembly Bill 2634 required jurisdictions to allow single room occupancy in at least one zone. The Oxnard Zoning Code, however, does not list the use of single rooms as permitted or conditionally allowed in any zone.

“Single room occupancies are typically allowed in general commercial and or high-density multi-family zones,” she said. “The proposed amendment will conditionally allow single-room occupancy in the R4 High-Density Residential Zone, the C2 General Commercial Zone, and the DTG Downtown General Zones.”

Tri County Sentry.com has the complete story.