Pacifica meeting features heated public comment over Lindamar parking and safe‑parking program; residents split on enforcement, services and surveillance

A large group of Pacifica residents used the public‑comment period at the July council meeting to press the council on two intertwined issues: the future of the city’s temporary safe‑parking program for people living in vehicles, and management of the Lindamar beach parking lots.

Multiple speakers urged preserving and expanding the safe‑parking program as a route to permanent housing. Pastor Sue Holland, representing Faith in Action, said the program provides wraparound services and reported a 38% rehousing rate for participants, urging that it be continued and refined. “Pacifica’s safe parking program … provides wraparound services that help people move into permanent housing,” Holland said.

Other commenters called for stronger enforcement and fast action on public‑health concerns in the Lindamar parking lot. James Haywood, a longtime resident and former Parks, Beaches & Recreation commissioner, described unattended vehicles, garbage and periodic discharges of gray and black water into public areas and urged the city to make the issue a priority: “This is public space to be shared by all,” he said, adding that some parked vehicles appear to be stored or operated as informal business uses without permits.

Several residents urged closing the beach lots overnight while the city pursues a permanent permit. Stephanie Phillips, who has been in contact with Coastal Commission staff, said the commission told the city that if it considered the situation an emergency, an emergency permit could be appropriate to allow temporary overnight closure during the permit review period.

Supporters of the safe parking program argued that removing the program would simply displace people and that interim housing and wraparound services — not closures alone — are needed. Anita Reese of the Pacifica Resource Center described the organization’s outreach, grocery distribution and back‑to‑school programs and urged compassion and continued services for people living in vehicles.

A separate thread of comments criticized automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) cameras and vendor access to data. Liz Van Zyl told the council the city’s Flock contract raises surveillance and privacy concerns and urged the council to cancel the contract when it comes up for renewal: “I implore you to cancel our contract with Flock when it is up for renewal. Stop this warrantless, indiscriminate, and unconstitutional surveillance of our community,” she said.

City staff told the meeting that Lindamar parking is not on that evening’s agenda and that staff will accept the comments for the record and continue to work with the Coastal Commission on permit options. City Manager Sean Sherpentier said staff will post related records on the city website and that the city is working on both a regular CDP amendment and a possible emergency permit for overnight closures.

What’s next: The council did not take final action on these policy choices at that meeting. Speakers asked the council and staff to accelerate action and coordination with county and regional partners; staff said they will continue work on the permit filings and that the city can call special meetings if urgent items require council action.