Planning commission demands timeline and threatens revocation after inspections find unpermitted work at recuperative‑care motels

The San Bernardino Planning Commission pressed owners and operators of recuperative‑care motels to correct unpermitted construction, produce building plans and commit to a clear timeline for compliance. In one case the commission scheduled a revocation hearing for December 9.

Staff briefings and on‑site inspections revealed unpermitted alterations and life‑safety concerns at multiple motel properties operating as recuperative‑care facilities. Director Gabriel Elliott told the commission that when staff discovered occupancy at Redlands Boulevard and Ostrom’s Way, subsequent building inspections found alterations "that may be unsafe" and that occupants had been moved out of the Redlands location while safety issues are addressed.

Owner representative John Valdivia (SB Hotel South LLC) and project manager Oliver Mojica said the property owner has retained a licensed architect and contractors, will submit plans within about two weeks for the Redlands location and within approximately 30 days for Ostrom’s Way, and will pull necessary permits once plan checks are complete. Building official Jerry Arellano told the commission unpermitted construction is commonly unsafe and asked owners to retain licensed contractors to remediate life‑safety items, especially electrical work.

Commissioners expressed frustration that some uses were operating before approvals. "We're granting things and then figuring out how to fix it," Commissioner Pratt said, urging a tighter process. Commissioner Galante asked whether people remain in the motels; staff replied Redlands occupants had been moved out and IEHP (the funding/health plan partner) supported staff's safety determinations.

The commission made three actions: it directed staff and the Redlands applicant to produce a written timeline and provide a December status report (plans submitted or not) and a fuller update in January; it scheduled a revocation hearing for CUP 25‑05 (Ostrom’s Way) at the Dec. 9 meeting because staff said the permit holder (NHHA) appeared unwilling to comply; and it asked the motel owner to provide a list of third‑party vendors and service providers operating on the site.

Staff cautioned that revocation requires a noticed hearing and due process; the commission voted to schedule the hearing rather than immediately revoke. City staff said their enforcement priority is compliance and that they have issued notices and citations when appropriate but will pursue fines or legal remedies if the operators refuse to meet conditions.

The commission also asked staff to provide a written punch list of the building and fire‑department items that must be addressed and to report back with evidence of licensed contractors and inspections. The commission and staff agreed to revisit progress at the December meeting and expect a fuller status report in January.