Planning commission approves Illumination Foundation recuperative care conversion at Motel 6 with inspection conditions

The San Bernardino Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve Illumination Foundation’s proposal to convert part of a Motel 6 into a recuperative care facility intended to serve patients discharged from hospitals who need short‑term medical monitoring and case management.

Senior planner Michael Rosales told the commission the proposal would convert up to 60 rooms into recuperative care space and reserve 10 rooms for administrative functions. The city’s staff report cited recent state legislation (Assembly Bill 1991, AB 2835 and Senate Bill 48) that eased motel‑to‑care conversions and recommended approval under a CEQA exemption for existing facilities (Section 15301). Staff outlined operations, staffing (4–6 nurses per shift, plus security and case managers), food handling (catered with health‑department approval) and client intake practices.

Oliver Mujica, representing Illumination Foundation, said clients typically arrive via hospital referral and remain an average of 90 days, with a maximum six‑month stay when clinically appropriate. Mujica said the facility would provide nursing monitoring, coordinated case management and transition planning so clients are not discharged back into homelessness.

Residents at the hearing expressed concerns about vouchers, nearby homeless encampments, the facility’s proximity to a school and the perceived need for stronger security. Commissioners discussed those concerns and asked staff and the applicant to confirm voucher activity and to provide community outreach. The commission modified the staff recommendation to require inspections at 90 days and then every six months and added conditions addressing security and monitoring.

The motion to adopt staff’s recommendation with the inspection modification passed unanimously. Staff also agreed to follow up with resident concerns and to coordinate with other departments on enforcement and outreach.

Next steps: Illumination Foundation will implement conditions of approval and begin operations consistent with state licensing requirements; staff will return inspection reports as required by the commission.