Neighbors say alleged unlicensed group home threatens safety; council and agencies referenced jurisdictional gaps

A neighbor testified that a property operating as a recovery residence is an unlicensed, illegal group home and that the city and state agencies have not provided enforcement clarity.

Rich Prado said his neighbors had endured “two and a half years” of disturbances at a home he described as “a revolving door of convicted violent offenders.” Prado said police, fire and rescue were frequently called to the address for incidents ranging from fights to overdoses. He told council members earlier efforts to resolve the situation had stalled: “We've been in touch with the previous city council, and they did nothing,” he said, adding that the current city council had not yet arranged a meeting despite some outreach from council members.

Prado said state-level changes on July 1 require certification from one of two nonprofits for recovery residences but that the home in question did not have such certification. He said the matter has been routed among the city zoning office, a senator's oversight committee and police; his recounting included a conversation with a lieutenant who told him the issue was “above his pay grade” and that he should be asking city council for action. Prado asked the council to act to avoid a potential violent incident and to clarify enforcement responsibilities across zoning, police and the state oversight committee.

Council did not take immediate formal action at the meeting on this complaint, but council members heard the account and asked staff how enforcement channels and certification requirements should be applied. Several council members said they expected the administration to follow up with zoning, police and state counterparts to determine whether the residence was in violation and, if so, which agency should pursue remediation and how the city could protect neighbors during any enforcement actions.