Public debate on proposed Horizon Recovery Center surfaces fears and endorsements

The City Council’s public‑comment period on June 1 included numerous speakers both urging the city to support and to question the proposed Horizon Recovery Center at a location on El Camino Real.

Supporters argued the center would provide needed behavioral health and recovery services. Carol Eldridge, speaking for the one Samonteo group, urged council to back the originally proposed location and warned that relocating the project would add millions in costs and could imperil funding. Reverend Alvaro Duran, a local pastor, said clergy who host recovery groups have seen healing at similar neighborhood recovery centers and urged leaders to weigh facts over fear.

Opponents and skeptics raised concerns about parking, proximity to schools and costs of alternative sites. Taso Zra said Horizon was seeking to own valuable real estate funded by public dollars rather than solely providing services, and questioned potential conflicts and financial motives. "Horizon is a pure real estate asset bought by a nonprofit... they want to own real estate," he said. Other residents asked that the city (or Horizon and the county) run additional community sessions and make technical material available to neighbors.

Several speakers urged the council to convene or encourage a city‑led working group or county‑facilitated public meetings to ensure open dialogue and transparent information flow; staff acknowledged the project is primarily under county and applicant jurisdiction but said the city can assist with outreach coordination.

What’s next: Horizon and the county were expected to continue community engagement. Council members asked staff to check how incoming applicant outreach is being managed and to report back.