Residents urge city to seek county meeting on proposed 69‑bed Horizon treatment campus near school
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Summary
Multiple residents told the council they were not adequately notified about a proposed 69‑bed Horizon sobering and residential treatment facility at 101 N. El Camino Real and asked the city to request a county‑led in‑person community meeting; council directed staff to draft a letter to the Board of Supervisors asking for that engagement.
Residents raised safety and outreach concerns about a proposed Horizon Recovery Campus at 101 North El Camino Real during general public comment and the council discussion on Feb. 20.
Multiple speakers said county outreach had been insufficient and that the site’s proximity to an elementary school and childcare centers — commenters cited a distance of about 900 feet — warranted a full city presentation and in‑person community meeting. Kolja, speaking virtually, said: "To date, the county and the applicant's outreach has been deeply insufficient... Not the city, not the adjacent schools and childcare facilities, and not the surrounding residents." Catherine Collins, who said she has children at a nearby Episcopal Day School, told the council the project would place detox and residential services close to a school of about 280 children and said she supported treatment services but objected to the site selection.
City staff and council members explained limits and options. The city manager said the project proponents are relying on AB 531, which can allow certain behavioral health facilities by right, limiting the city’s discretion over siting, but staff also said they asked for a meeting with the county and Horizon and advocated for neighborhood notification last fall. Staff confirmed Horizon had included the county as a project partner and that the county had submitted a grant application with Horizon for the site.
Council action and direction: Councilmember Diaz Nash summarized constituent concerns and asked the city manager to draft a letter for the mayor’s signature asking the Board of Supervisors and the County Executive to hold an in‑person evening community meeting in March so residents can hear detailed information and ask follow‑up questions. Council voted to proceed with drafting and sending that letter; council asked that county and Horizon representatives attend the requested meeting to answer operational and safety questions.
What remains unresolved: Commenters asked for clear answers about when the city was first notified, which city departments had reviewed the proposal, whether discretionary permits will be required, and what authority the city retains under AB 531; both the county and Horizon were invited to provide those answers at the requested forum.