Politics & Government
Council Delays Vote on Residential Care Facility to Oct. 23
Overwhelming negative response by concerned citizens.
The Baldwin Park City Council has decided Oct. 9 to delay the vote on granting a conditional use permit for a residential care facility on Vineland Avenue.
Planning Commission members David Muse, chair, and Natalie Ybarra, vice chair, were unable to attend the Oct. 9 meeting. Coupled with how this proposed facility has created controversy in the community, officials decided to continue the item to the Oct. 23 meeting.
The site consists of two properties from 3562 to 3572 Vineland Avenue and are currently zoned R-1, single-family residential.
The care facility has been brought before the Commission since May 2013 and has continually been delayed to future meetings.
The current applicant, Joe Lopez, from Eastern Keystone, Inc., revised the initial plan of 43 beds, reducing the proposed facility to 23 beds, but that has done little to change the public's overwhelming opposition to the facility.
The vast majority of those opposed live on Stichman Avenue, which is directly behind the facility.
"This is the fourth hearing we're having on the subject. If you haven't heard us by now, you're not going to hear us anymore. You have 100 people telling you we don't want this facility," said resident Gabriel Alvarado.
"For the fourth time I'm here to speak on behalf of the community. I don't want to have to come back, but I will. I don't see why we have to keep postponing things. We don't wan the facility to be built here at the location," said resident Walter Jovel.
According to City documents, the facility operated as a convalescent home in 1963. In 1978, the facility was granted a permit to operate as a business caring for the developmentally disabled and was limited to 49 beds.
In 1979, the facility had its group home permit revoked after being deemed "detrimental to the public health, or safety" for a lack of basic supervision of its residents, according to City documents.
Some residents were frustrated, saying that not enough answers were being given to all the questions residents in attendance had that night.
Council Member Gustavo Huizar made a motion to deny the consideration for the permit based on what he believes is the business owner's and property owner's inability to answer the concerns of the community.
No commission member would second the motion and the board voted to continue discussion to the next meeting.
The next meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 23, will be held at the City Council Chamber, 14403 E. Pacific Avenue.