San Rafael board backs plan for cabin shelters

A city plan to purchase a Terra Linda lot for use as a temporary homeless shelter site cleared a hurdle on Tuesday.

The Planning Commission approved a resolution stating that the acquisition and use conformed with the city’s general plan, the long-term blueprint for programs and land use decisions. The approval was a bureaucratic step needed in order for the City Council to consider agreements for the plan.

The project site is a 2.3-acre lot at 350 Merrydale Road in the Rafael Meadows neighborhood. The city and county want to set up a temporary village of 65 cabin shelters with homelessness support services, followed by the development of an affordable housing complex.

The county is expected to provide $8 million for property acquisition and startup costs for the shelters. The agreement would commit the city to entitle the property by June 30, 2028, paving the way for an affordable housing complex with a minimum of 80 apartments.

The San Rafael City Council is expected to consider agreements on Nov. 17. The county Board of Supervisors will do the same on Nov. 18.

If approved, the shelter site is expected to open early next year and operate until at least June 30, 2027.