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Plan Commission recommends 13‑bed cap for Shalom Center’s overnight shelter after fire chief’s occupancy guidance
Summary
The commission recommended approval for the Shalom Center to operate overnight sheltering year‑round but limited occupancy to 13 beds based on the fire prevention bureau’s NFPA calculation; the matter will go to the common council.
The Kenosha Plan Commission voted to recommend that the Shalom Center be allowed to run overnight shelter operations year‑round but with a 13‑bed cap tied to the fire department’s occupancy analysis.
Esther Roberts, representing the Shalom Center, said the organization sought to change its operational plan and zoning designation to allow overnight stays within the existing facility and requested up to 16 overnight guests. Roberts said there would be no building footprint expansion and that interior reconfiguration would enable supervised overnight use.
Staff briefed the commission that the building inspector had assessed the space as allowing up to 16 beds but the fire prevention bureau’s occupancy calculation returned a recommendation of 13 beds. Fire Prevention Bureau Chief Jake Waltz Smith explained the basis: the department calculates usable floor area minus non‑usable spaces and divides that space by 200 square feet per occupant under the NFPA methodology.
Commissioners debated the tension between increasing shelter capacity and ensuring safe egress and operations. Several members said they supported expanding capacity in principle but preferred to align the commission’s recommendation with the fire department’s guidance for safety reasons. The commission voted to recommend approval of the proposed operational change with a 13‑bed limit and forward the matter to the common council for final action.
Planning staff and the applicant said they will continue coordinating with fire and building inspection to resolve any remaining technical discrepancies before the council takes up the matter.
