The Watsonville Planning Commission voted unanimously at its Dec. 3 meeting to deny a zoning permit appeal that could have further delayed plans for the construction of a “tiny village” on the property of Westview Presbyterian Church.
The “tiny village,” also called a low-barrier navigation center, would provide temporary housing for 34 people who currently live along the Pajaro River levee. Case managers would help connect them to income, public benefits, health services, and, eventually, permanent housing.
Funding for the project comes from an $8 million grant Monterey County received from the state’s Encampment Resolution Fund. Westview Presbyterian Church has agreed to allow the “tiny village” on three parcels it owns. Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, along with nonprofit partners, will manage the project.
During the public comment portion of the planning commission meeting, about twice as many speakers expressed their support for the “tiny village” as opposed it. Westview Presbyterian Pastor Dan Hoffman acknowledged the opposition.
“I feel really bad for our neighbors who are concerned about this being in our backyard,” Hoffman said. “And, it will be an answer. It will get people off the streets.”
The pastor’s comments were a message for neighborhood residents, like Catalina Torres, who have had negative encounters with some unhoused people in the area.
In October, Torres appealed the Watsonville Zoning Administrator’s decision to approve a zoning permit for the navigation center. She argued the permit application was defective and improper.
“The zoning approval was issued in error and should therefore be revoked,” Torres said in a presentation to the commission.
Ultimately, after individually discussing all 15 points laid out in the appeal, the planning commission disagreed with Torres, stating the city had complied with all applicable laws when approving the zoning application.
In denying the appeal, commissioners left open two options — either the project will continue as planned, or Torres can choose to appeal to the city council, which would kickstart a new appeal process.
