Commission delays decision on proposed recuperative care center at former Motel 6

The San Bernardino Planning Commission voted 4'3 on Tuesday to continue action on Conditional Use Permit 25-05, a proposal to convert an existing Motel 6 at 1960 Ostroms Way into a recuperative care (recuperative care) center, after lengthy public testimony and commissioner questions about security, operations, and experience in other cities.

Senior Planner Shantel Choice presented the proposal and staff recommendation to approve Resolution 2025-027, finding the project categorically exempt under CEQA section 15301 (existing facilities) and approving the CUP with conditions. Staff described the site as a 1.79-acre parcel in the Commercial General 1 zone with two driveways on Ostroms Way, 105 parking spaces (including five ADA spaces), and no exterior building changes other than signage. The applicant seeks authorization for the entire building to operate as a recuperative care center with up to 200 beds, roughly 25 on-site staff, 24/7 security and support staff, three meals per day, and no direct medical procedures on-site. Staff clarified condition updates on patient drop-off hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with after-hours for emergencies) and a traffic scope form requirement.

Representatives of the applicant, National Health for Housing Advisors (NHHA), described the program and partner network. NHHA said clients are referred by hospitals or health plans (including IEHP), are ambulatory, and enroll for up to 90 days with a voluntary option for secure housing support afterward. The operator said the model includes 24/7 security, stabilization and safety counselors, on-site LVNs/RNs for supervision and medication assistance (but not diagnosis or prescribing), transportation vans, housing navigation by partners (Encompass Housing), and a training program for staff overseen by Dr. Clayton Chow.

Public and commissioner concerns focused on: whether the Police Department had reviewed the project (staff said no written response had been received), how the facility would avoid displacing current occupants of the motel, the adequacy of parking for visitors, how the program would place clients into permanent housing given limited local housing stock, what medical services would be available, site fencing and a pool area, and whether the operator's Long Beach and other experience reflected crime or other community impacts. Encompass Housing's Debbie Wolford described housing-navigation experience in the Inland Empire and said staff begin housing plans on day one of a client's stay; Connie Bartlett, the project's medical director, described coordination with primary care, medication delivery, transport to primary care appointments and supervision of self-administered medication; and Dr. Clayton Chow outlined safety/stabilization counselor training and the provider's operational record.

Several commissioners and community members asked specifically for Police Department comment and copies of operational experience from other cities. Commissioner Daley moved to approve staff's recommendation; a substitute motion to continue the item until staff obtains a formal PD response and outreach information from other jurisdictions passed by roll call 4'3. Commissioners Sherrick, Quill, Galante and Pratt voted yes; Commissioners Daley, Orlando Garcia and (per roll-call count) Ivan Garcia voted no. The commission directed staff to return with police-department comments and information about the applicant's experience in other cities, and to schedule the item for the July 8 meeting.

Why it matters: Recuperative care centers provide short-term post-hospital support for people who are unhoused or lack home supports; they can reduce hospital readmissions but raise local concerns about neighborhood impacts, security, and long-term housing outcomes. Commissioners signaled support in principle but insisted on law-enforcement input and empirical evidence from other jurisdictions before final approval.