Owners of the former Pollock Pines School site say the building that once housed classrooms may be used for medical and dental offices, but they do not envision a homeless shelter on the grounds.
With that assurance, the El Dorado County Planning Commission on Thursday recommended rezoning the property for commercial use.
Planning staff members said medical offices proposed by the El Dorado County Community Health Center would be allowed by right under the commercial zoning. Further review, however, would be required to move forward with a homeless shelter, they said.
For many Pollock Pines residents, the prospect of a homeless shelter has cast a pall over redevelopment of the 5.62-acre site and 16,000-square-foot building at 6290 Pony Express Trail. They have argued that a shelter would be inappropriate close to residential neighborhoods.
The Board of Supervisors in April authorized the Human Services Department to apply to the state Department of Housing and Community Development for a grant to fund start-up and operating costs for a year-round homeless shelter. The shelter would be operated by United Outreach, a cooperative effort of churches and philanthropic groups that opened a temporary shelter at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Camino in 2005.
To apply for the grant, the county had to identify a potential location. Thomas Van Noord, an owner of the former school, said he and his partners reluctantly agreed to allow the county to list the property as a possible shelter site for purposes of the grant application.
The county recently was notified that it will receive grant funding, but Van Noord said he expects another location will be found for the shelter.
"It has never been a realistic idea to have a homeless shelter in the (former school) building," he said, explaining that fire sprinklers would have to be installed for such a use.
United Outreach had proposed housing the shelter in modular buildings that it would move onto the school grounds.
Paula Frantz, deputy county counsel, said the grant application required the county to show that there were property owners who were willing to entertain a proposal for a shelter at a specific site.
"It does not mean the grant has to be used for this location," she said.
Placerville resident Judy Mathat said a recent El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce study mission to Portland, Ore., yielded interesting ideas for use of former school buildings. She suggested owners of the Pollock Pines School meet with residents and chamber members to talk about "things that would enhance the community."
Planning Commission members said medical offices are needed in Pollock Pines.
But commission member Walter Mathews said, "I agree a wellness center and a homeless shelter are not compatible with each other."
Commission member Dave Machado said he would encourage the Board of Supervisors to take a more active role in finding an shelter site.
He also suggested the county consider moving the Pollock Pines Branch Library from its current leased quarters to the former school building, arguing that it would complement the health facilities.
The commission voted 3-0 to forward a recommendation for approval of the commercial zoning to the Board of Supervisors. Commission members Alan Tolhurst and John MacCready were absent.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 608-7451.
