Dozens of residents, nonprofit leaders and county commissioners spent more than two hours on Oct. 23 debating a proposal to lease a county-owned property at 1798 Southeast N Street for a managed homeless shelter.

The Board of County Commissioners emphasized that no lease negotiations or final decision have occurred. "This board has not made a decision," Commissioner Black told the room, adding, "No negotiations have taken place." He said the county had been approached by an organization about a lease and that the item was placed on the agenda to hear public input and discuss next steps.

Public commenters were sharply divided. Many speakers who live or own businesses near the site urged the Board not to approve the location because of its proximity to schools and housing. A number of speakers cited a distance they said was much shorter than previously stated in outreach materials: Commissioner Smith said the property is about 650 feet from Riverside Elementary School; another speaker said about 700 feet; several speakers noted a half-mile claim in some materials was incorrect (a half mile equals 2,640 feet).

Opponents described safety, traffic and property-value concerns and urged the county to identify alternate sites. Sequoia Village HOA president Daniel Sarbano described long-term neighborhood investment and said residents were worried the site would reduce safety and property values for hundreds of families nearby. Business owners and storage-facility operators near the site described trespass, vandalism and prior problems they said would worsen if the shelter were placed there.

Supporters and the applicant's representatives said the proposed model is a managed shelter with on-site programming, supervision and security, not an unmanaged encampment. Jeremy Ford, described in the meeting as pastor with U-turn for Christ and executive director of Pathways of Stability, told the audience, "I guarantee if we put it in there, it's gonna be a lot safer than now. You're not gonna have to worry about people jumping in the pool at 2 8 2PM anymore. It's gonna be a 5,000 foot exclusion zone around there, a whole square mile where there's no loitering, there's no camping, and it'd be able if you are caught doing that, it's a law enforcement issue and you will be cited." In his remarks Ford also said, "your N Street will be the safest block in the neighborhood in the County Of Grants Pass." Kevin Darr, who identified himself as president of Pathways and executive director of U-turn for Christ, said the proposals demand accountability and include data-collection and security measures.

Several speakers described alternatives they said should be considered, including industrial parcels near Spalding Avenue, property near Southgate/Southgate Cinemas or a vacant Redwood Highway lot. Connor Kirkpatrick, who said he had submitted a proposal that would require buying a site off Spalding, said the grant program had requirements that limited locations to the urban growth boundary and noted purchase price constraints in his proposal.

Board reactions: Commissioner Smith said he supports finding a shelter solution but that the N Street parcel is a "poor location" because of proximity to Riverside School, Gladiola High School and a large apartment complex. Commissioner Barnett said he was sympathetic to community concerns but stressed the need for community engagement and solutions; he also noted county authority is limited because courts and grant requirements constrain where facilities can be sited. Commissioner Black said he had been contacted by a private property owner after the county meeting and asked the owner to respond within two weeks; Black asked the board to allow staff time to follow up on potential alternate properties.

No formal lease, sale or contract was authorized during the meeting. The Board directed discussion to continue internally: commissioners asked staff and partners to pursue options and return with information. The board also noted several community groups'Park Watch, U-turn for Christ/Pathways and volunteer cleanup crews'are active in the area and that further neighborhood outreach will be needed.

What to watch next: commissioners said they will continue vetting potential properties and asked for further outreach and information. Chair Black said he would follow up on the private property contact and return to the Board with findings; he requested up to two weeks to report back.