Planning Commission Approves Five Sites for CAPSLO Rotating Safe Parking Pilot

The San Luis Obispo Planning Commission on Jan. 28 voted to approve five sites for a rotating overnight safe parking pilot administered by CAPSLO to expand temporary overnight parking for people living in vehicles.

Staff recommended and the commission approved a draft resolution that designates three city‑owned lots (Coyo Joaquin Park & Ride at 5045 Coyo Joaquin; the City Courtyard at 25 Prado Road; and the Damon Garcia Sports Complex lot) and two faith‑based host sites (Renovate Church, 2075 Johnson Avenue, and Journey Christian Fellowship, 317 Foothill Boulevard) for the one‑site‑at‑a‑time rotating model. Intake and enrollment will occur at the existing 40 Prado Homeless Services Center, and CAPSLO will provide site operations, case management and monitoring for enrolled participants.

Why it matters: City staff and CAPSLO told commissioners the pilot is intended to double CAPSLO’s overnight safe parking capacity and create a low‑barrier pathway to services and housing for people who rely on vehicles for shelter. Daisy Wyberg, the city’s homelessness response manager, said the 2024 point‑in‑time count showed 140 people reported sleeping in vehicles, and CAPSLO’s referral list for the Prado program “currently includes over a 150 households.”

What the program will require: Staff and the applicant described several eligibility and operational rules. Participants must be at least 18, have an operable vehicle, a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance, sign a behavior contract, undergo a criminal background check (including a Megan’s Law registry check) and enroll at 40 Prado before referral to the rotating pilot. CAPSLO’s Jack Leahy said the rotating model does not allow on‑site registration and that the program will vet participants at Prado before placement. “Since February 2024, we’ve received 384 requests for safe parking services at our site,” Leahy said, noting 163 remained waiting for enrollment.

Site operations and neighborhood safeguards: CAPSLO and city staff said each host location will be covered by a memorandum of understanding spelling out site‑specific responsibilities, and that CAPSLO will implement neighborhood relations plans, provide a participant contact list to SLOPD and host sites, conduct site checks approximately every two hours during program hours, and, where needed, use temporary barriers and cameras. Staff clarified the participant agreement requires participants to vacate and not remain within a half‑mile radius of the site outside program hours to reduce spillover parking.

Public comment and commissioners’ concerns: Public testimony was mixed. Several faith and service providers, county staff and residents urged approval, saying safe parking helps people move quickly into housing. Linda Belch, deputy director of adult and homeless services for San Luis Obispo County, told the commission the rotating model leverages partnerships and basic amenities that help people engage with case managers. Conversely, neighborhood residents raised safety and quality‑of‑life concerns about siting rotating spaces near homes and a daycare at the Foothill site; resident Taylor Simpson said prior 24‑hour RV parking at a nearby church had produced disruptive incidents and urged use of more separated sites such as the former railroad location.

Deliberation, motion and outcome: After discussion about monitoring, metrics for review, and whether future director‑level site approvals should return to the commission, a motion to adopt the draft resolution approving the five sites passed. The roll call vote recorded in the public record was: Commissioner Munoz Morris — yes; Commissioner Flores — yes; Commissioner Jorgensen — yes; Commissioner Khan — yes; Vice Chair Houghton — yes; Chair Justin Cooley — yes. The motion passed.

Next steps: If the commission’s approval is implemented, CAPSLO will finalize funding sources, confirm monthly rotation schedules with host sites, and execute MOUs that include any site‑specific safety elements. Staff said the CUP authorizing CAPSLO as the program administrator remains in effect unless revoked after substantiated complaints; each site must be approved via a director’s action permit or referred to the commission. The commission also discussed asking that at least the next one or two director‑approved sites return for public hearing so neighbors have an opportunity to comment.

The commission then received staff updates about upcoming agendas and adjourned.