Elk Grove council narrows permanent shelter search, selects Survey Road as preferred site

The Elk Grove City Council on Wednesday voted to pursue Survey Road as the city’s preferred site for a permanent low-barrier homeless shelter after months of outreach and a public hearing that drew dozens of speakers.

Housing and Public Services Manager Sarah Bontrager presented the project goals and site-selection process. Staff evaluated about 130 properties citywide and released three finalists—Dwight Road, East Stockton Boulevard and Survey Road—based on feasibility, proximity to sensitive uses, cost and transportation access. Bontrager said the planned facility would provide 20 adult beds, five emergency beds available for police use, and four combinable family units, plus a commercial kitchen and 24/7 staffing. She told the council staff used community feedback to weight siting criteria and posted scoring documentation online.

The staff presentation and subsequent public comment revealed competing priorities. Businesses near East Stockton—hotel and hospitality operators who said their properties generate significant transient-occupancy tax revenue—asked the city to commission an economic and operational impact study before selecting that site. Lorena Riley, general manager of Holiday Inn Express and TownePlace Suites, said in public comment, “We are not opposed to solutions that address homelessness. … Before moving forward, we respectfully ask the City to conduct a comprehensive economic and operational impact study.” James Wu, a local hotel owner, made a similar request.

Residents who live near the current temporary shelter and the East Stockton candidate site described trespass, drug use and property crime they attribute to nearby encampments and urged the council to select the site farthest from homes and schools. Christina Albright, a retired police officer and mental-health professional, urged the council to honor community survey results that favored Survey Road and to invest saved acquisition dollars in transportation solutions.

Council discussion balanced safety, cost and access. Council Member Spies emphasized pedestrian safety and pointed to data showing higher pedestrian fatality risk on higher-speed arterials, saying Survey Road’s lower posted speed and existing sidewalks made it safer for shelter residents who walk or bike. Several members noted that Survey Road scored highest in public preference and offered the lowest projected acquisition cost, while East Stockton provided better access to services and transit but raised stronger business and neighborhood concerns.

Mayor Singh Allen and Council Member Robles proposed removing Dwight Road from consideration because of nearby youth-oriented uses; the council agreed. Councilmember Robles moved to select Survey Road as the sole site staff should pursue; a substitute motion to instead rank Survey Road first and East Stockton second was offered by Council Member Brewer but failed. In the final roll call, the council voted to pursue Survey Road, with Robles, Spies, Vice Mayor Sewan and Mayor Singh Allen voting yes and Brewer voting no.

The council directed staff to begin negotiation with property owners at Survey Road and to return with any required documentation. Staff noted Measure E and a state homeless appropriation (about $4 million) as partial funding sources and said they will work with partners on transportation options to address the site’s limited transit access.

Ending: Council selected Survey Road as the city’s preferred site and directed staff to pursue acquisition and design work; the council instructed staff to continue community engagement and to develop mitigation measures for nearby businesses and neighborhoods.