The Emeryville Planning Commission voted unanimously Oct. 23 to approve a conditional use permit allowing Dorothy Day House to operate the Berkeley Emergency Storm Shelter at 4300 San Pablo Avenue, the city’s former recreation center.

Staff told the commission the seasonal shelter would serve up to 25 participants at a time, operate 24 hours a day from November through April, and be staffed at all times by two to three employees. The temporary facility will use existing portable buildings and a shower trailer on-site; meals will be delivered and no cooking will take place on the property. Parking for staff and deliveries will rely on street and nearby commercial spaces, plus four licensed spaces in the City Hall lot per the city’s license agreement with Dorothy Day House.

The permit allows the shelter to use the site while a longer-term 68-unit, 100% affordable intergenerational housing project by EAH holds existing entitlements. Staff said EAH does not expect to begin construction before fall 2026. City staff recommended approval subject to the conditions listed in the staff report.

Rishon Atkins, program director for Dorothy Day House, described the shelter’s operations and outcomes: the program partners with Alameda County’s coordinated entry system, brings in partner agencies for on-site services, and aims to transition participants into traditional shelters or permanent supportive housing. Atkins told the commission that the program typically serves seniors and reported that, in her experience with the program, “99 percent of people that come through this particular shelter do not return to the street at the end of this operation.”

Commissioners asked staff whether the shelter should be handled ministerially under recent state housing law changes; staff said Emeryville’s zoning code for this site still requires a use permit and that the city is in the process of adopting housing-element related zoning updates that will establish zones where shelters are allowed by right. Staff said they would confirm the code interpretation and report back if necessary.

With no public speakers, the commission then deliberated. Several commissioners praised the program as a productive interim use of the site while the permanent housing project is pending. Commissioner Chaffee moved to approve the conditional use permit; Commissioner Gerwold seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as follows: Commissioner Chaffee — Aye; Commissioner Gould — Aye; Commissioner Martinez — Aye; Commissioner Rivera — Aye; Commissioner Small — Aye; Vice Chair Henley — Aye; Chair Wax — Aye. The motion carried and the permit was approved.

The license agreement with Dorothy Day House for use of 4300 San Pablo was previously authorized by the City Council; the planning commission action implements the site’s use under the conditions presented in the staff report. The permit will be implemented under the listed conditions and staff will follow up on the code question regarding ministerial shelter approvals.