Council adopts ordinance interpretation, bans new camping along Anderson Drive

The Sanfell City Council on June 15 adopted a resolution updating how the city interprets its camping ordinance and moved to prohibit new camping along Anderson Drive between Lindaro and Rice.

Assistant City Manager John Stfensky told the council staff now treats City Hall, the public safety center, community centers and libraries as "public facilities" where camping is already prohibited and expanded the definition of park to include open areas around those buildings. He described a two-step enforcement plan: a ban on new camping that takes effect once the resolution is adopted and a later prohibition on existing camping after outreach and move-in opportunities at the Maryale interim shelter exist.

"Starting tomorrow, our special operations unit of the police department will be out along Anderson conducting a survey to get a census of the individuals who are currently camping along that stretch," Stfensky said, describing an outreach and census effort that precedes any enforcement of the "no new camping" restriction.

Members of the public attending the hearing urged the council to act quickly. "I want to express my strong support for the resolution to ban new camping on Anderson," said Katie Fleet, a Parkside Children's Center parent, who cited drug use, fights, trash and a March homicide near the encampment and said the location was too close to schools and child care.

Several speakers asked whether the city had signed written agreements with Caltrans and SMART to prevent camping on adjacent property once the Maryale site opens; staff acknowledged those negotiations are ongoing and said the city will continue its outreach to agency partners. Other commenters pressed for clarity about the timing and capacity of the Maryale interim shelter and whether people could be moved to existing sanctioned camping areas in the meantime.

Council members confirmed they wanted the public-safety and outreach components to accompany any enforcement. Vice Mayor Curts, who brought the motion forward, said the directive balanced clearing Anderson with ensuring "those on Anderson have a path forward." The motion to receive the administrative interpretation update and adopt the resolution carried on a unanimous roll call vote.

What happens next: staff said outreach partners will inform people on Anderson of the new rules and available housing opportunities when openings exist at Maryale; the council directed staff to coordinate surveys, outreach and site hardening measures to limit future encampments on the corridor.