PC approves elder residence but asks
Council to consider business license
December 25, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
The Planning Commission with the caveat that the City Council considers the facility’s need for a business license approved a new elder residential care facility.
In other business the commission also approved a license for the onsite sale of beer and wine at an East Harvard Boulevard barbecue restaurant.
The commission made their decisions at the December 18 meeting on a 3-0 vote; Commissioners Fred Robinson and Fred Wacker were absent due to reported surgeries.
During public comment Sheryl Hamlin told the commission they should condition the proposed Dream Haven Care facility, located at 410 E. Main St., as for elder care only.
The 2,240 square foot building built in 1923 has served over the decades as a maternity hospital, convalescent home and a drug/alcohol rehabilitation center, the latter use Hamlin told commissioners should be guarded against.
She also asked that affordable rates for elder residents be mandated.
“The third point is there is no reason,” for the Dream Haven operation, “not to pay a business license,” which would not only bring revenue to the city but also “map” how many and where such facilities are located.
Associate City Planner N.B. Doberneck told commissioners that under state law that such facilities are considered a family dwelling if six or less occupants, the reason for the city to issue a Conditional Use Permit for commercial use.
Seven and more occupants’ triggers another level of licensing that requires a licensed nutritionist be hired as well as other mandates.
The state encourages such facilities as they provide for housing needs of sensitive populations as well as city business expansion.
Commissioner Mike Sommer questioned the lack of requirement that the facility obtain a city business license, which he said came as a surprise.
The council said Doberneck can consider such an issue but “we just want to make sure we don’t run afoul of state law…”
Hamlin noted that such facilities although small can be corporate owned and franchised by individuals who might operate several such facilities, defined by the state as “integral,” a collection of the same business owned by the same person. The sum total of the businesses owned although in different locations could require more oversight and licensing.
Commission Chairman Gail “Ike” Ikerd said a relative was living in such a facility and he found the arrangement superior to convalescent hospitals.
The facility was located in a residential neighborhood giving a sense of community and although the “People doing it were healthcare types,” although the residence was more comfortable than sterile.
Doberneck noted that the proposed facility has “a home environment” including one dining table for communal meals.
Sommer moved to adopt the CUP but “With the suggestion that the council look into the potential business license…”
In other matters the commission approved 3-0 a license for the onsite sale and consumption at Best BBQ, located at 915 E. Harvard Blvd.
The restaurant, which opened in recent months, seats 37 customers inside and on the patio and is open seven days a week, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Doberneck told the commissioner there is not an over-concentration of liquor licenses in the area and the panel approved the Conditional Use Permit.
The issue will next go to the City Council.
