Chapter 18.67
CONGREGATE LIVING FACILITIES AND DORMITORIES

Sections:

18.67.010    Purpose.

18.67.020    Definitions.

18.67.030    Standards.

18.67.040    Procedures.

18.67.050    Decisions by the administrator.

18.67.060    Finding of fact and conclusions required.

18.67.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to permit with predictability group housing uses and still protect the character and integrity of the neighborhoods and districts they are located in. (Ord. 1188 § 1(A), 2018)

18.67.020 Definitions.

The following definitions may be used elsewhere in the municipal code, but are listed here as chapter-specific:

“Congregate living facilities” are defined as a building or part thereof that contains “sleeping units” where 16 or fewer nontransient residents share bathroom or kitchen facilities, or both. For transient uses see “hotel” or “motel” definition.

“Density” means the average number of dwelling units per acre. With respect to congregate living facilities and dormitories each unit’s design occupant load divided by five and any fraction thereof shall determine the dwelling unit equivalent density.

“Dormitory” is defined as a space in a building where group sleeping accommodations are provided in one room, or in a series of closely associated rooms, for persons not members of the same family group, under joint occupancy and single management, as in college dormitories, military barracks, fraternity houses or worker housing.

“Sleeping units” are defined as a room or space in which people sleep, which can also include permanent provisions for living, eating, and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not both. Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units.

“Transient” with respect to congregate living facility use means occupancy of a dwelling unit or sleeping unit for not more than 30 days. (Ord. 1188 § 1(A), 2018)

18.67.030 Standards.

These standards are specific to congregate living facilities and dormitories. Unless otherwise addressed here, the standards applicable for planned developments, conditional use permits and permitted outright applications are also required.

A. Densities. Densities shall not exceed the maximum densities of the underlying zoning district.

B. Off-Street Parking. Off-street parking spaces shall be provided at the rate for multifamily use per dwelling unit equivalent for new construction and shall be provided for nonexternal alteration projects. Operators shall make provisions to encourage tenants to use the provided off-street parking spaces.

Exception(s):

1. Projects located in industrial zones and urban areas of commercial zones may have reduced off-street parking spaces where the building(s) containing the housing is directly connected to a sidewalk system which provides a continuous means of pedestrian access to the Central Business District.

2. In no case shall the actual number of off-street parking spaces provided be less than the actual number of tenant’s vehicles.

C. Open Space. Projects located in industrial zones and urban areas of commercial zones may have a reduced open space area below the level prescriptively required provided adequate means of storm water dispersal are provided.

D. Worker housing applications shall make adequate provisions for bus traffic and on-site loading and unloading of workers.

E. Congregate living facilities and dormitories not located in industrial zones and urban areas of commercial zones shall be located on streets designated as collectors and/or arterials.

F. On-Site Management. Owners/operators shall designate an individual as the on-site manager of the facility; said on-site manager’s contact information shall be kept current with the city clerk’s office. (Ord. 1188 § 1(A), 2018)

18.67.040 Procedures.

Applications for congregate living facilities and dormitories shall be as specified for the underlying zoning and processed in accordance with Chapter 18.100 OMC. (Ord. 1188 § 1(A), 2018)

18.67.050 Decisions by the administrator.

For the purposes of this chapter, the administrator is empowered and directed to review applications for permitted outright congregate living facilities and dormitories as a hearing examiner and may apply reasonable conditions in the same manner, scope and limitations as a conditional use permit. Appeals of any action of the administrator relating to the application of this chapter shall be heard and may be affirmed, modified or overturned as provided in OMC 18.112.020. (Ord. 1188 § 1(A), 2018)

18.67.060 Finding of fact and conclusions required.

All decisions relating to the review of applications, issuance and/or revocation of permits for congregate living facilities and dormitories permits shall be supported by a written finding of fact and conclusions issued by the approving authority. Said documents shall be attached to the file and kept in the records of the city. (Ord. 1188 § 1(A), 2018)