10.825 Severe Event Shelters.
(1) Purpose and Intent. Severe Event shelters provide short-term relief from Severe Events, as defined in the City of Medford Temporary Shelter Policy, such as extreme weather. The City of Medford Temporary Shelter Policy, as referenced in Section 10.825, shall be herein referred to as “The Policy” in this section. Severe Event shelters shall be within an existing institutional building or other buildings, typically not intended for residential uses. It is the intent of these standards to ensure that any conflicts with Severe Event shelters and the surrounding land uses are mitigated through the special regulations set forth in this Section 10.825.
(2) Definitions Pertaining to Severe Event Shelters. When used in Chapter 10 in reference to Severe Event shelters, the following terms shall have the meanings as herein ascribed:
(a) Access Point: The main point of entry and exit where users, visitors, and other persons must sign in and out to maintain security within a shelter.
(b) Client(s): Person or persons who receive services from an operator of a Severe Event Shelter which shall include overnight sleeping, and may include other items established per the shelter’s operations plan.
(c) Operator: The organization in charge of daily operations of a Severe Event Shelter. The operator shall be a civic, non-profit, public, faith, membership based, or otherwise competent organization and shall be the applicant for the Severe Event shelter. The words operator and applicant may be used interchangeably as they are one in the same.
(d) Operational Period: Days in which a Severe Event shelter are permitted to operate per the Policy
(e) Operations Plan: The guiding document for an operator to use in determining the standards clients must adhere to in a shelter.
(f) User(s): See 10.825(2)(b) client(s).
(3) Severe Event Shelter Permit Requirements.
(a) In order to begin operating a Severe Event shelter, an operator shall apply for and receive an approved permit per The Policy.
(4) General Standards for Severe Event Shelters. The following standards shall apply to Severe Event shelters:
(a) Operational Requirements. The operator shall be required to meet the following standards as it pertains to shelter operations:
(i) Conformance. It shall be the duty of the operator to ensure and maintain compliance with the City of Medford Shelter Policies and the requirements of the Operational Permit.
(ii) Operations Plan. An operations plan shall be required for a Severe Event shelter. An operations plan shall include, at a minimum, items addressing client interaction, rules for shelter use and opening, facility operations and maintenance, safety and security provisions, and signage that complies with the Medford Municipal Code.
(b) Operational Period.
(i) The operational period of a Severe Event shelter shall only be permitted in accordance with The Policy.
(ii) The operator shall notify Medford Fire-Rescue each time the shelter is closing.
(iii) The operator may be required to provide the opportunity for inspection prior to operating the shelter.
(c) Reporting Requirements. April 1 of each calendar year, the operator may be required to submit a report to the Housing Advisory Commission (HAC) or applicable conditions of approval on the operational permit.
(d) Standards for Closing/Suspending Severe Event Shelters. A shelter may be closed or suspended in accordance with the following procedures and criteria.
(i) A Severe Event shelter shall close or the operations may be suspended if:
(A) Conditions are considered non-severe per The Policy.
(B) The City Manager, or designee, has determined that it would be in the public interest to do so.
(C) Any safety issues are identified during an inspection, including, but not limited to fire and life safety issues.
(D) Any violation of the Medford Municipal Code and/or state or federal law occurs.
(ii) Clients of a temporary shelter, the operator, and the property owner shall be given a 24-hour notice to cease operations, unless immediate closure is necessary due to issues pertaining to fire or life safety. The owner or operator shall not be required to remove components utilized for the severe weather shelter if:
(A) The shelter is closing due to condition changes per 10.825(4)(d)(i)(A);or
(B) The components of the shelter are customarily used for the primary use of the building.
(iii) The City Manager, or designee, may revoke a shelter’s permits and the decision shall be effective immediately. Appeals of this decision shall be made to the City Council.
(e) Consent to Inspection of Severe Event Shelter(s).
(i) Severe Event Shelters are subject to inspection at any time by the City to verify safe operation of a shelter.
(A) Inspections by the City may include inspections of all portions of a Severe Event Shelter. Inspections shall be in conformance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
(B) Areas used for bathrooms and showers shall be subject to inspections by the City, but any users of the facilities shall be given ten minutes notice prior to inspection to allow for the privacy needs of individuals who may be using the facilities.
(ii) Inspections may be required prior to each opening of a Severe Weather Shelter. All violations of applicable codes found through an inspection shall be resolved prior to commencing operations of a Severe Event Shelter. Inspections may be required by the following City departments to verify conformance with applicable codes, prior to operations commencing:
(A) Building Department
(B) Planning Department
(C) Police Department
(D) Fire-Rescue Department
(iii) Signage stating “Inspection by the City of Medford officials, including Medford Fire-Rescue and Medford Police Department, may occur without notice” shall be prominently posted in the sleeping units, shower areas, and toilet areas of the temporary shelter.
(5) Site Standards for Severe Event Shelters. The following standards shall apply to the development and use of Severe Event shelters.
(a) Severe Event Shelters shall be an accessory use, in residential zones, to institutional uses.
(b) In commercial and industrial zones, Severe Event shelters may be an accessory or primary use.
(c) Adequate space shall be provided for client’s personal items and shall not displace required parking per Sections 10.741-10.751.
(d) Access points shall have a trash receptacle that does not block the public right of way and is large enough for trash disposal during times of intake.
(e) Adequate access shall be given for emergency vehicles and personnel, where applicable.
(f) Operators of Severe Event shelters shall comply with all provisions contained in the most recently adopted/approved City of Medford Temporary Shelter Policy.