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Placerville City Council approved a 90-day special use permit for a homeless encampment, Hangtown Haven, to be located at 1700 Broadway at Tuesday’s meeting. The temporary camp is a pilot program to see if it can help alleviate some of the problems associated with the homeless population and the current crop of illegal camps throughout the city.
Current city code does not allow camping in the city parks or other public property. According to City Manager Cleve Morris, illegal homeless camps bring a host of potential and actual problems: substance abuse issues, hygiene issues with personal waste, accidental fires from illegal campfires, problems for other users of city parks and danger to the homeless in very cold or hot weather.
“With the economic problems, the homeless issue is not getting better,” said Morris, ” It’s getting worse.”
Some help for the homeless already exists: the Upper Room on Broadway provides meals for the homeless; the Community Resource Center on Broadway provides a place to secure personal items, take a shower, wash clothing and computers to aid in looking for jobs and the faith-based community offers a nomadic shelter during the winter months and lunches for the homeless at different sites throughout the city.
A recent clean-up of homeless camps in Lumsden park by the police, the Community Resource Center and some of the homeless relocated camps out of the park, but eventually people return to the areas from which they have been removed.
Morris, Vice Mayor Wendy Mattson and homeless coordinator Art Edwards, have been meeting with others to find a way to resolve the illegal camping issue.
Earlier in the Tuesday night meeting, City Council approved an ordinance permitting one emergency housing facility in a Highway Commercial zone, identified on upper Broadway. This ordinance goes into effect in 30 days, on Aug.9, and clears a path for the establishment of a temporary trial-run encampment.
“The city will sign a 90-day free lease with the Wilkinson family who owns the property,” said Morris. “After the improvements are made, there is a possibility people can move there in the next two weeks.”
After the lease is signed, there are property improvements that need to be completed—fencing the 1-acre camp to establish boundaries, grading and clearing the area of fire hazards and overgrowth, and a gravel driveway. These improvements, along with a trash dumpster donated by El Dorado Disposal and donated portable toilets and wash stations, come to a total cost of $4,000, not including labor.
After a meeting with the faith-based community, the city received $1,500 in donations from them towards the cost of the encampment, and on Tuesday afternoon, received a check for $10,000 to cover all the costs and provide seed money for Hangtown Haven.
The labor to put up the fencing, do the grading and clearing will come from volunteers, including those from the homeless community, said Mattson. In addition, former councilman Dave Machado will act as project manager to oversee and direct the volunteer efforts as part of his required 960 hours of community service.
The CRC will oversee Hangtown Haven and use screening protocols for the entry of the homeless to the site. They will also assist the homeless population in self-policing the facility in accordance with adopted rules.
“There is an intake packet which is a key component of this camp,” said Mattson. “They must agree to the five camp rules and be an El Dorado County resident. We want to know who’s there, what they are doing and to be able to get them the resources they need to lift them out of the homeless cycle. And we want to release the parks back to families.”
Placerville Police Chief George Nielsen has been a part of the committee trying to resolve the homeless issue and supports the temporary camp.
“I’ve been involved in terms of health and safety issues,” said Nielsen. “I see this camp as an opportunity to provide a place to camp legally and we can be empowered to clear out illegal camps and have a place for them to go. Not everyone will want to go to the camp, but this 90-day trial will help us see how things can work.”
Resident Michael Drobesh questioned whether the surrounding property owners had been notified of the encampment. The city is not required to notify neighbors of a special use permit, said Morris. Community Development and Engineering Director Michael Webb said that one neighbor, Hangtown Motel, had been involved in the discussions.
“The fire chief and the Wilkinson family are the closest neighbors and they are in full support ,” said Mattson.
The 90-day special use permit was approved by a 4-0 vote.
Contact Wendy Schultz at 530 344-5069 or wschultz@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @wschultzMtDemo on Twitter.
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JJuly 13, 2012 - 12:27 pm
Thanks for helping those who are ready to take advantage of your assistance. I drive Broadway everyday and have lost count how many times I have almost hit one of the HOMELESS people. Try having people accept responsibilty for themselves and their choices. Great one more reason for my property value to go down. THANKS WILKSON FAMILY, CHURCHES AND COUNCIL!
eldoradoJuly 13, 2012 - 5:31 pm
Just a question: “They must agree to the five camp rules and be an El Dorado County resident..." If they are residents, how can they be homeless?
kggJuly 13, 2012 - 6:14 pm
This is a wonderful development for the homeless folks in our community. God bless those who facilitated Hangtown Haven.
Crista Aivaliotis and James DrakeJuly 13, 2012 - 6:51 pm
I am very fortunate to have had the oppertunity to get help from the CRC. My fiance and I are currently liveing at the Hangtown Motel(curtisy of The United Outreach program here in Placerville) My fiance works again now but had lost his job back in Novermeber of last year and we had been homeless until June 5th of this year.Being an acctive client for Community Resourse Center we started to get to know poeple at CRC and Marie Cook(Operations Manager) at CRC had helped me get in touch with Joanne McCormack(Regional Director for The United Outreach program) she met with my fiance and got us in the Hangtown Motel thank God becasue we had been paying for the room here on our own and all of our money that we were trying to save was getting used on a room for a couple weeks.See I am 5 months pregnant and I was worried about getting my baby taken away from me for being homeless but anyways,now we are being let into the United Outreach houseing on the property and we will be able to stay there rent free for up to 4 months as long as my fiance is working and we save half or more of every pay check in a saveings account through UOR and abide by rules,at the end of our stay we get all the money back to move out on our own.We are excited,we will be in our own place before our baby is due on December 4th, and we just found out today we are haveing a baby girl.Bottom line I hope the trial works for the ones that really need a place to stay and they use the space for what its for and I am glad I just don't have to be homeless anymore,anyone can make their sittuation better although for some its more hard than others to become unhomeless but in my opinion you have to really want a change and help yourself before others can help you :) We move into the United Outreach house on Monday! :)
James E.July 13, 2012 - 7:06 pm
J, you have lost count how many times you have almost hit one of the homeless people? Lost count? Must be a high number. Perhaps 1,000 almost hits? Or could this just be hyperbole on your part? Wonder if the homeless are passed out in the street, or do you drive on the sidewalk? Well, anyway, Rule in California: Pedestrians have the right of way, so be careful if the "almost hits" number begins to build beyond 1,000. And, if you do hit one with your car be prepared to accept responsibility, which I know you will because you believe in accepting responsibility. I also drive Broadway, have seen the homeless, but have never almost hit one. Strange that two drivers could have such different driving experiences on Broadway. Very strange.
J. OthersideJuly 13, 2012 - 8:20 pm
And how do you know they were homeless J? As James E. pointed out, I drive Broadway constantly and have never come close to hitting any pedestrians. I have seen what I suspect are tourists wandering across the street, but since I drive with both eyes open and sober have never had much problem avoiding them. I suspect careless driving habits of people like you probably have a greater effect on property values than the homeless described in this article.
DeeJuly 13, 2012 - 8:49 pm
While something needs to happen in regards to the homeless situation, I don't believe putting a 6 acre camp 2500 feet from a school is the right answer. ESPECIALLY when the school administors had no idea about the plans until they saw it on the news, 12 hours before the clearing of the land is set to begin. First day of school is a month away and they have not been provided the opportunity to prepare the school and advise the parents of the new neighbors. Seems this was kept as quiet as possible until the 11th hour.
Rob CareyJuly 13, 2012 - 8:57 pm
What a nightmare, this is the best possible way to lure even more homeless people to placerville. I can't say I have a solution to any homeless problem but if a "camp" was being facilitated by the local government anywhere near where I live I would be livid. Between the point view drive off ramp cluster)$&@ and now this, the city of pville must feel like gods ruling over you upper broadway folks. Enjoy
eldoradoJuly 13, 2012 - 9:26 pm
I am not arguing with the idea, but I just read through the City of Placerville Municipal Code... The Community Development Director has some interesting authority like putting a three day carnival or circus in your backyard without notification, but anything that goes to the City Council for a longer period than that surly needs proper notice, including to the neighbors within at least 300 feet, the same as a Conditional Use Permit does...
M. StudegarJuly 13, 2012 - 10:14 pm
First of all, what official is going to ask the homeless folks for their ID to determine if they are from this county? And if they do ask for it, are we to assume Obama's AG, Eric Holder will sue the city for profiling and violating the rights of the homeless. Also, as to the homeless gal who is 5 mos. pregnant. Did it ever occur to her that it might be best to not have a kid until you can afford it. But of course in this day and age, that's not a problem since the nanny state gov. will take care of that half of the populace who suck off the other half.
JTacJuly 14, 2012 - 12:33 am
Hopefully there will be a fire once they are all moved it and the problem will solve its self.
Chuck HollandJuly 14, 2012 - 6:59 am
This article leaves me with a few questions. First, No notification to neighboring property owners for a special use permit? I own property in the city, does that mean I can obtain a special use permit to drill an oil well and my neighbors have no input? Second, who is the actual lessee? The city or the CRC? Who is going to assume the liability? Third, as with any other development, what are the offsite improvement requirements? Sidewalks, landscape, etc? currently the homeless folks are forced to make their daily pilgrimage along upper Broadway on the roadway and a dirt trail at the roads edge. Fourth, what happens in 90 days? As winter approaches will the camp close? Making the homeless without a home once again? Will the faith bases supporters (churches) say we gave our $1500.00 now their your problem city of Placerville? Fifth, will this project truly create an environment to help those "locals" who need the assistance,and not make an attractive place for other cities to push their homeless population off on, further depleting the resources we have to help them now?
residentJuly 14, 2012 - 10:34 am
This country (and community) must address the structural causes of the increasing rates of poverty and resulting homelessness. Failure to do so will exacerbate social decay; few will remain unaffected. In the meantime – probably a very LONG “meantime” – the City of Placerville needs to answer concerns and questions such as those raised above. But that won’t happen simply by posting comments in the Mt. Democrat. Contact city officials directly, both elected and appointed. Attend meetings. Study the issues. Speak out. NOW.
Leroy DelkJuly 14, 2012 - 3:09 pm
I lived in Placerville many years ago. Infact I graduated from ElDorado Co high in 1955. At that time Placerville was a great place to live. The so called hobos used to camp just off of the reilroad tracks near Forni' resevor and up behind Warrens feed store. We would drop off some fish and talk to them once in a while. But building them a camp will just bring more. These hobos would do a little work and move on, but im sure if ylou gave them a freebe. they will hang around untill you run them off. Are you going to run them off after aperiod of time?????
kggJuly 14, 2012 - 3:53 pm
JTac wrote: "Hopefully there will be a fire once they are all moved it and the problem will solve its self." This is a despicable comment and JTac should be investigated by the police. Leroy wrote: "The so called hobos used to camp just off of the reilroad tracks near Forni' resevor and up behind Warrens feed store." The homeless folks we have here in Placerville are primarily not the type of people you remember. We have families, people who have been forclosed on and many many young people who graduated from high school and cannot find a job.
EDC ResidentJuly 14, 2012 - 5:25 pm
Why are we enabling the "homeless" residents to continue to reside in el dorado county? Do you know how many tax payer dollars are being used on these people? COUNTLESS 911 calls made for these people who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. I guarantee there is no medical issue, to them it's rather a convenient way to get their "high" or during the heat of summer or freezing times in winter, the hospital seems like a better place to go for comfort. Maybe walk the lovely streets of main street and you'll soon change your mind after being startled by the gentleman who obviously is on something illegal. AND to you "kgg" these people are definitely not looking for a job, they are not bettering themselves. Do you honestly think their house was foreclosed on and they hit the streets? no. Rightfully so they may have graduated high school but it obviously didn't do them any good. I respect the guy who would stroll on his bike entertaining us with his songs, he earned every dollar that was given to him. He told me he was headed to Tahoe because times were tough in good ol Placerville, he was striving to make something for himself.
kggJuly 14, 2012 - 5:36 pm
i know these people - i volunteer with two organizations that help the homeless in el dorado county. the majority are as i said, young people without work, folks who have been forclosed on and families with children.
NancyJuly 15, 2012 - 4:41 am
I am glad to see EDC/Placerville is trying to help the homeless. However, when the word gets out of EDC's generosity, homeless folks from other counties are likely to show up and move in. This could overwhelm the camp, police and social support. How does EDC/Placerville plan to deal with that if it occurs?
REWJuly 15, 2012 - 6:09 pm
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling, most often unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing. This includes persons who sleep in a public or private place not designed for use with required accommodations for human beings. The reasons a person is homeless are numerous, often due to lifestyles they brought upon themselves, or possibly from circumstances beyond their control. Society has a few options: Arrest and incarcerate at taxpayers’ expense, force them to relocate somewhere else on the planet or provide temporary accommodations from charitable sources. Our local officials picked the temporary, compassionate and inexpensive route. The donations by local businesses and faith based groups’ aid the homeless, without adding a tax to everyone. The concerns from citizens about homeless camps nearby becoming permanent and troublesome are valid points and add to the complexity of the few options available. It’s always about funding. It just seems wrong that the California DOT spending 1.7 million tax dollars on a nearby deer crossing when taxpaying local business and taxpaying members of faith groups generously donate $15,000 to assist the homeless. This could be another option since a new crossing is in the works.
OR,July 15, 2012 - 9:34 pm
Or, you could build one less Predator Drone, use the $5million to help the homeless and build all the deer tunnels you want!
prime timeJuly 16, 2012 - 6:12 am
U.S. Drone Manufacturers Pour Millions into Congressional Campaigns
RonJuly 16, 2012 - 9:49 am
While the City may not be required to notify neighbors, it seems ludicrous, rude and irresponsible for city employees who get paid by those neighbors, ie property taxes, to not include them in the decision Further, one need only see the progression of Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento over the years, to see this is the first door towards creating blight on the east end of Placerville. What means test is being done: are the recipients already receiving welfare, disability, food stamps, etc? Worse, to use Machado, an arrestee who was stripped of his title in a position of authority??? Will all due respect, has the City gone mad? There are no cities with high property values who establish 'Homeless' camps.
kggJuly 16, 2012 - 10:50 am
The neighbors directly east and west of Hangtown Haven are in agreement that this needs to be done. They are Hangtown Motel and the Taqueria. I have no info on other folks in this area.
ronJuly 20, 2012 - 9:00 am
KGG, you sound like you have a vested interest. "Neighbors" include the school, and all the rest of us that have to drive by the new Placerville Loaves and Fishes. Very clever response: you dont address the blight that has been created, and lack of means testing to ensure that while you may be helping these folks, we have no assurance that the rest of their disposable public provided income ISN'T being spent on drugs...or, worse, cigarettes. I am also willing to bet you don't live in proximity to what has been created. Spare the rest of us and have them squat in your neighborhood...but we all know you won't.
kggJuly 20, 2012 - 9:12 am
ron, these folks are already there. no one is moving them to this neighborhood. i don't live in this neighborhood but if i did i hope that i would have the basic human decency to try to help. that's what this is about.
RonJuly 20, 2012 - 3:01 pm
Actually KGG they were not 'already there': the presence of two non-profit facilitators at the foot of a residential area and school has congregated what few we had, and encouraged others to stay around. Human decency and self respect require you to treat these transients in a manner that doesn't keep them in their vicious cycle. You have not addressed how we as a community are assured they are not using their free money for drugs and cigarettes NOR has there been any assurance on HOW these facilitators will reduce the population. Finally, I appreciate your humanity but take great exception to someone not from the neighborhood providing a solution that doesnt impact your property values.
barry maneloOctober 26, 2012 - 11:03 am
The ''president'' of this camp is a joke Larry allum, saying he sets rules in place to better the camp but breaks them himself, he wrote someone up and got them kicked out for alcohol when two days earlier he brought a case of beer for everyone to share not only that he uses the phone provided to him by CRC to stalk and harass... I strongly believe that they picked the wrong person to be president of CRC
Mary AJanuary 28, 2013 - 4:07 pm
I live in Fl and a homeless person who panhandles gets hit by motorist fairly frequently. And in Fl unless you are in the crosswalk and the traffic lights favor your travel, you are not automatically given the right of way. We have a homeless population that has taken to trying to step in front of cars to get just a "minor" injury so they can sue the car owners pip insurance. We have more lawyers than doctors here in fl and in my opinion many lawyers encourage is immoral and dangerous behavior. But it is routine and a fact of life. It is even worse when the homeless set it up to have their friends nearby and if you pay off the friends they tell the police what really happened, you you don't they make up a story that your light was red and you are at fault when you hit the pedestrian homeless. I avoid all the areas that have the pan handlers just for this reason, thus the neighboring businesses suffer as well as the victims of this fraud. We aare no longer America the beautiful, we have become America the scammers.