Home Antioch Antioch City Council Tables Decision on Location for Homeless Trailers

Antioch City Council Tables Decision on Location for Homeless Trailers

by ECT

On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council agreed to table a decision that would have allowed an amendment to its Emergency Shelter Zoning Ordinance which will allow them to place the 5 homeless travel trailers provided by Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this year.

The city received the homeless trailers in March; however, the issue has been zoning according to Antioch’s Community Development Director Forrest Ebbs stated that the goal was to provide housing for families with children in the Antioch Unified School District.

The City was looking at three properties:

  1. Fitzuren Road: APN 067-342-013, 067-342-002, and 067-342-001.
  2. 301 W 10th Street: APN 067-080-038
  3. Fulton Shipyard Road: APN 065-020-002

Ebbs said the council could select one or all three properties, but this was the first step to moving forward with the program.

On June 3, the Planning Commission considered this item but did not recommend that any of the proposed sites be rezoned to include the ES Zoning Overlay.  The Planning Commission sited concerns about each of these properties.

Ebbs highlighted that it was not that the planning commission did not want a homeless shelter, but they wanted a “nice site” for families.

“I don’t want anyone to read into the planning commission actions as being hostile towards a homeless shelter, its quite the opposite, they wanted to make sure we can do the best that we can do,” stated Ebbs.

After several public comments spoke out against the locations, including Contra Costa County Fire Chief  Lewis Broschard who had concerns with the homeless trailers being next to a fire station, the council took up the item.

Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts asked staff to explain the possibility of using the Fairgrounds as a location.

City Manager Ron Bernal explained although the Governor had identified several fairgrounds locations around the state as being acceptable, Antioch’s was not.

“I spoke with the fair manager following the planning commission and request to put them at the fairgrounds and his indication was that his property did not qualify and was being used for other purposes,” said Bernal who explained the council may want to pursue this higher than the fair manager. “At this point, that is as far as we are in the discussion.

Councilman Lamar Thorpe made a motion to table the item.

“I’d be open to table that, there are some options we’re looking at,” stated Motts who further stated they were looking at Fitzuren as a safe, overnight parking spot. She promised the community was there more to come in addressing this issue for both temporary housing and more permanent housing.

Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock stated that the Fulton Shipyard location was not a good area for any youth to be in and stated neither of the other two locations were viable.

“You have to look at these trailers, we thought they could help, but when you look at the 180-days you can stay in them, then people would be uprooted, moved, so you are in one school district then could be in another so the youth would be transferred to school locations. Then when they move, we have to remodel the whole inside of these trailers. Then you have to figure out how long these trailers are going to last,” explained Ogorchock. “Trailers are not built to live in, that is not their intent, they have a very short life expectancy if you live in them so I don’t think any of these sites are fine.”

Mayor Sean Wright called for a vote.

Prior to the vote, Thorpe stated he was for one of the properties but recent conversations they could have some follow up conversation with in the ad-hoc committee with the city manager would add some more clarity.

Wright stated he too has had conversations and could include the City installing five new pads for infrastructure.

The council then voted 5-0 to table the item.

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4 comments

Bill Moon Jun 24, 2020 - 8:13 am

Ad-hoc committees, where they just talk talk talk and talk more. No actual movement or accomplishments. This is why putting the police department in the hands of an ad-hoc committee would be a waste of time and energy.

Jim Simmons Jun 24, 2020 - 3:42 pm

Is this a joke? All that work only to punt a decision again? Vote all these idiots out come November.

LoveableCurmudgeon Jun 25, 2020 - 5:20 am

Let’s see….the Orchard Square property is a mostly vacant eyesore, with several spaces, including the old Orchard Supply, that could easily accommodate homeless people. The building has stood empty for years and could easily be renovated to include shower facilities and expanded restrooms. People housed and no eyesore.
Another excellent location, same result, is the old KMart. Huge facility. Restrooms. Shower facilities could be added. Homeless off the street. No eyesore.
Maybe that guy who’s set up on Buchanan, across from Orchard Square, all comfy and cozy ( complete with bicycle parts where do they GET all those bike parts? ) , might come inside

Scott Scarlett Jun 25, 2020 - 8:47 am

So frustrating that our local government can’t park 5 trailers and help people in need
The school district should be able to give a list of 5 families who are living in cars and need help rather quickly. Yet Here we are sitting on 5 trailers while people are suffering . “Zoning this and bla bla bla that “ disgusting . How much vacant commercial / industrial property do you need to choose from
We need to build a real homeless shelter and mental health facilities NOW .The old Kmart property seems To fit as do others mentioned.
We have thrown money around in restaurant deals , built a water park ,given tax breaks to car dealers , etc and we can’t house some families in need with trailers we got for free ?
Shame on our Mayor and City Council for this

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