Planning commission hears updates on homelessness services, staffing and housing projects

Lodi — City staff briefed the Planning Commission Dec. 10 on several ongoing initiatives, including a permanent access center under construction, a 43-unit Main Street transitional housing project and recent committee actions on a 12-unit housing project.

Staff said the access center will include a medical clinic, sobriety services, quiet respite space and case management provided by county agencies. The city is working toward appointing an operator by council action in coming months, and staff said most of the related work has been grant-funded; audits and grant reporting are ongoing.

The commission heard that the Main Street project will provide 43 transitional housing units intended to help individuals move from emergency services into more stable housing with case management; the county will help run the project. A Site Plan & Architecture Review Committee report noted a two-story, 12-unit project at Central and Toque passed a committee vote 4-0 and is expected to proceed to subsequent steps.

Staff also introduced new personnel: Rajni, an assistant planner who said she joined the community development department, and the commission welcomed new Planning Commissioner Josh Leiden. Calendar changes were announced: the Jan. 14 meeting is canceled and the next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 28.

No formal commission action was taken on the homelessness or housing updates during the meeting; staff noted some items will return for future hearings.