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Sojourner House, which is located in a residential neighborhood and provides for <br />16 homeless people. She displayed photos of the House, showing a regular family <br />living room, the dining room, the kitchen area, and the bedrooms. <br />Commissioner O'Connor requested verification that this was a home for 16 people. <br />Ms. Diamond said that was correct. <br />Commissioner O'Connor noted that it looked like it was located in a single - family <br />residential area and that he thought the number allowed for that was six residents or <br />less. <br />Ms. Diamond said that was correct and that would be permitted by right. She noted, <br />however, that the Code could be set up in a way where shelters are allowed in a <br />residential area. She added that in Pleasanton, staff is proposing that it be allowed in <br />the commercial area, so this would not necessarily translate well to Pleasanton. She <br />indicated that she just wanted to give the Commission an example of what a well -run <br />homeless shelter could look like. <br />Commissioner O'Connor commented that the City of Livermore's Code must say that <br />they could have up to some other number in a residential neighborhood. <br />Ms. Diamond said yes. She added that it could be required through a use permit. <br />THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. <br />011ie Arnold, Housing Outreach Coordinator in Alameda County, stated that they <br />consistently hear the need for emergency shelter and transitional housing for the City of <br />Pleasanton. She noted that they receive calls from people who want to stay in <br />Pleasanton for emergency shelter and transitional housing because this is their home, <br />but reluctantly, they have to get services elsewhere. She indicated that she is most <br />concerned with those who do not call and go without services because they are <br />assuming they are not going to get anything. She stated that Pleasanton needs these <br />housing services and that they are very supportive of the idea of space for emergency <br />shelter, supportive housing, and transitional housing in the city of Pleasanton. <br />Becky Dennis stated that she has written the Commission a letter and thinks that it is a <br />big step that Pleasanton will put these standards into its Code. She mentioned that she <br />knows there is a need for services for people in Pleasanton who are homeless. She <br />indicated that she has lived in Pleasanton for quite a while and has actually known <br />people who are homeless. She noted that one man who used to come and wash his <br />windows lived in the box car down by Coffee Roast Express and down in the Arroyo <br />because he offered to show her son how to build a reed hut. She indicated that she <br />sometimes sees people in a parking lot who are living out of their cars, but she does not <br />know whether they are Pleasanton residents or not. She noted that the staff report <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, January 23, 2013 Page 35 of 44 <br />