BERND ZIESCHE, San Clemente
Regarding the relocation of the transient campsite from Avenida Pico near North Beach to city-owned property in the industrial park at La Pata near the Richard T. Steed Memorial Park, I would like to express some serious concern.
The camp would be in close proximity to the Steed Park sports facility and skate park, which is regularly, heavily visited by kids and families. One could compare these to a “school facility” and, if I remember right, these camps or shelters should not be located within 300 yards of a school (or similar).
The camp location would be on the very east end of La Pata with uncontrolled access to nearby rural landscape and wilderness, which is classified as a Very High Fire Hazard Zone by Cal Fire.
The free roaming of transients in this area, who are most likely using cigarettes or other flammable items, creates an increased fire risk, and I can’t see how this can be sufficiently controlled.
The camp site is at the very eastern perimeter of San Clemente, approximately 1.5-2 miles away from any retail or the Family Assistance Ministries facility. No public transportation is available, and it is hard to see how they would get daily food and supplies.
Because of the remote location without regular public traffic after business hours, and especially during nighttime, there is concern that the adjacent businesses could be targeted for burglary and vandalism. How would the city maintain security, sanitary and maintenance and at what cost?
The aforementioned concerns make me believe that this location is not suitable, and I ask the city to look for a different solution.
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