Decision Makers:
Truckee Town Council
To the Honorable Mayor, Members of the Truckee Town Council, TTHAC Board Members, and Nevada County Supervisor Hardy Bullock:
We, the undersigned residents, homeowners, and community members of the Coldstream neighborhood, respectfully request that the Truckee Town Council reconsider the location of the Navigation Center and identify a more appropriate site that better serves those in need of services while protecting the safety and character of our residential community.
We recognize the importance of providing compassionate assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness and support the town's commitment to expanding access to housing, healthcare, and supportive services. Our request is not an objection to these services. Rather, we believe the current location is not compatible with the existing homes, businesses, and transportation and recreational infrastructure.
We have been very supportive as a community through our engagement with the Navigation Center staff and our participation in town hall meetings. We co-authored the good neighbor policy. We set up a special HOA committee to help make this center work during the pilot period. One of the Coldstream residents spoke at the opening ceremony in support of the center. One of the Coldstream HOA board members became a part of the core team along with other TTHAC members. We spent a considerable amount of our personal time to not only point to problems but truly to become a part of the solution.
However, all the data and experience so far have been deeply concerning for us and in the spirit of being a true partner again, we would like to share our concerns before a final decision is made.
Our concerns include the following:
Public Safety
There have been numerous incidents involving mentally unstable individuals threatening bystanders and children, including verbally assaulting and physically threatening with a 2x4 a female worker of a local business as she was going to work early in the morning. In addition, there have been multiple incidents of public intoxication, drug use, defecation, littering, disturbance, and vagrancy. All of which is deeply troubling and threatening to guests, residents and the public at large. Truckee Police Department’s own data support and validate the data and evidence we diligently collected of each of the incidents since the center has been operational.
Just this past week an individual wielding a stick while walking on the bike path was yelling repeatedly, “I have come to kill all the children.” Police were called, but it is not known if this person was arrested. We cannot ignore this or brush this off as just craziness. There is significant responsibility, liability, and accountability that come with allowing these individuals to be so close to a soon-to-be community of dozens of children. Our residents here are living in fear, changing their daily habits, refraining from leaving their homes, and none of this is acceptable.
Bike Path, State Park, Recreation Trails
The Navigation Center is adjacent to the Coldstream neighborhood, where numerous families with young children live. The area includes a heavily traveled bike and pedestrian path that serves as a primary route for residents, children, runners, cyclists, and visitors throughout the year. The area also includes access to Coldstream Canyon and Donner Memorial State Park, both of which are heavily used by outdoor enthusiasts and families alike.
This bike path is also regularly used by local schools for physical education classes, cross-country training, and student running programs. Students frequently travel along this corridor during school hours. We are concerned that having this high-demand social services facility immediately adjacent to this route has created safety concerns and altered how residents and schools are able to use this important community resource.
School Bus Stop and Mailboxes
The neighborhood bus stop is located within close proximity to the Navigation Center and is used daily by school-aged children who often wait without direct adult supervision. Parents have expressed concerns about maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for children traveling to and from school. Also adjacent to the bus stop are our mailboxes, and some residents are afraid to even check their mail.
We ask the Town Council to carefully weigh the current location of the Navigation Center against all other viable alternatives and determine whether this location is appropriate given the number of persons who regularly use the area and whose use is now negatively impacted
Fire Danger
Of great concern to the Greater Truckee Community is the increased risk of a devastating forest fire. Individuals who are welcome to the Navigation Center for daily support services have been found living in the surrounding forest and creek areas, making campfires during a strict fire ban. Truckee has already experienced two fires behind Safeway started by homeless encampments. It seems obvious that a location for the center away from heavily forested areas, with the addition of mental health services and housing would be preferable as opposed to the current location and operations.
Quality of Life
Coldstream is one of Truckee's newer residential communities. The area is growing rapidly with several other phases already planned and under construction. Many homeowners have invested their life savings in purchasing homes here with the expectation of living in a family-oriented neighborhood with access to parks, trails, and open space. Locating the Navigation Center immediately adjacent to this rapidly growing residential neighborhood raises significant concerns about compatibility with the long-term vision for the area and the quality of life for current and future residents.
Property Values and Tax Revenue
For many Coldstream residents, their home is their largest financial investment. Homeowners are concerned that this Navigation Center directly adjacent to the neighborhood has negatively influenced buyer perceptions. We know of at least one contract sale that was cancelled due to a mentally unstable individual with a crowbar wandering up and down Winter Camp Way. The police were summoned 4 times, but unable to arrest the individual due to current state laws.
The existing and planned properties will bring significant tax revenue to the Town of Truckee, with each home ranging in value from $750K to upwards of $1.75M in today’s market prices. Delays in construction due to low demand or delays in people buying new homes will have a significant negative impact on our town’s finances. We respectfully request that the Town evaluate these potential economic impacts before extending the lease with the Navigational Center.
Coldstream Commons Proximity
The location of the workforce housing complex, Coldstream Commons, which serves another key vulnerable population, and the current location of the Navigation Center, places the Coldstream Subdivision directly in between these two sites. This is creating issues when the residents of both locations are interfacing, usually on the property of Coldstream subdivision, the bike path, or the bus stop. Moving the Navigation center to another location would greatly reduce these interactions and police calls.
Impact to Businesses
All of the businesses adjacent to the Coldstream subdivision have been negatively impacted by this Navigation center. Loitering, stealing, alcohol use, drugs, and panhandling are just a few of the complaints expressed by each and every business adjacent to Coldstream. Each business has filed up to 10 no trespass orders with the Truckee Police. We need to support our local businesses, not put obstacles in the way of their ability to function, which negatively affects tax revenue for our town.
Conclusion
In summary we are asking the town to cancel the Navigation Center lease at the end of this trial year. While we understand the convenience of keeping the status quo, extending the lease and making this center more permanent at the current location will be a terrible long-term decision. The objectives of the pilot as communicated publicly, were to look at center utilization and the impact to the neighborhood at the same time and with equal weight and importance. There is indisputable evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, that the center at the current location has not achieved one of its key pilot objectives.
It has been a disaster for the residents of Coldstream, the quality of our lives has been greatly diminished and harmed as a result of this Navigation Center. We are living in fear and our children are exposed daily to mentally unstable individuals that the Center as well as the Police Department have limited means of controlling. The burden to cope with the situation falls squarely on the residents, local businesses, and guests of the town of Truckee.
We encourage the Town Council to identify and evaluate alternative locations that are much better suited for a Navigation Center—sites that provide convenient access to services, health care, and transportation, while minimizing impacts on established residential neighborhoods, local businesses, children, schools, and recreational facilities. We believe Truckee can continue to lead with compassion while also selecting a location that better balances the needs of those seeking services with the safety, well-being, and long-term interests of surrounding neighborhoods.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this petition.
6 Comments
I am signing this petition because I no longer feel safe in my own neighborhood or inside my house.This is not an objection to providing services or compassionate support to people experiencing homelessness. It is about the very real consequences this location has had for the residents who live immediately around it. I have personally found an individual passed out on my property who has since reportedly threatened to kill children in our neighborhood. This same individual has assaulted someone
On her evening walk, my wife was aggressively followed by a man who suddenly appeared from an illegal camp adjacent to the shelter. Neighbors gave her sanctuary while this was reported to the shelter manager, but nothing was done. This is one of many incidents the community has experienced - often daily. As a direct result of the decision to pilot this inappropriate location by the town council, Truckee PD have reported an unprecedented year on year increase of incidents within our community.
It's unconstitutional that tax payers have to foot the bill for another homeless project that will fail like all the other government homeless projects enacted since the 1960s! It's unconstitutional that another socialist POLICY of putting homeless into TAX PAYER'S neighborhoods which bring crime and drugs. I highly doubt any Town of Truckee council member or Mayor would want this in their multi million dollar gated community. It's hypocrisy. What's right for thee isn't right for me.
I am signing this for the safety of my 2 children.
Locating the center where it is is the wrong choice.
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Decision Makers:
Truckee Town Council
To the Honorable Mayor, Members of the Truckee Town Council, TTHAC Board Members, and Nevada County Supervisor Hardy Bullock:
We, the undersigned residents, homeowners, and community members of the Coldstream neighborhood, respectfully request that the Truckee Town Council reconsider the location of the Navigation Center and identify a more appropriate site that better serves those in need of services while protecting the safety and character of our residential community.
We recognize the importance of providing compassionate assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness and support the town's commitment to expanding access to housing, healthcare, and supportive services. Our request is not an objection to these services. Rather, we believe the current location is not compatible with the existing homes, businesses, and transportation and recreational infrastructure.
We have been very supportive as a community through our engagement with the Navigation Center staff and our participation in town hall meetings. We co-authored the good neighbor policy. We set up a special HOA committee to help make this center work during the pilot period. One of the Coldstream residents spoke at the opening ceremony in support of the center. One of the Coldstream HOA board members became a part of the core team along with other TTHAC members. We spent a considerable amount of our personal time to not only point to problems but truly to become a part of the solution.
However, all the data and experience so far have been deeply concerning for us and in the spirit of being a true partner again, we would like to share our concerns before a final decision is made.
Our concerns include the following:
Public Safety
There have been numerous incidents involving mentally unstable individuals threatening bystanders and children, including verbally assaulting and physically threatening with a 2x4 a female worker of a local business as she was going to work early in the morning. In addition, there have been multiple incidents of public intoxication, drug use, defecation, littering, disturbance, and vagrancy. All of which is deeply troubling and threatening to guests, residents and the public at large. Truckee Police Department’s own data support and validate the data and evidence we diligently collected of each of the incidents since the center has been operational.
Just this past week an individual wielding a stick while walking on the bike path was yelling repeatedly, “I have come to kill all the children.” Police were called, but it is not known if this person was arrested. We cannot ignore this or brush this off as just craziness. There is significant responsibility, liability, and accountability that come with allowing these individuals to be so close to a soon-to-be community of dozens of children. Our residents here are living in fear, changing their daily habits, refraining from leaving their homes, and none of this is acceptable.
Bike Path, State Park, Recreation Trails
The Navigation Center is adjacent to the Coldstream neighborhood, where numerous families with young children live. The area includes a heavily traveled bike and pedestrian path that serves as a primary route for residents, children, runners, cyclists, and visitors throughout the year. The area also includes access to Coldstream Canyon and Donner Memorial State Park, both of which are heavily used by outdoor enthusiasts and families alike.
This bike path is also regularly used by local schools for physical education classes, cross-country training, and student running programs. Students frequently travel along this corridor during school hours. We are concerned that having this high-demand social services facility immediately adjacent to this route has created safety concerns and altered how residents and schools are able to use this important community resource.
School Bus Stop and Mailboxes
The neighborhood bus stop is located within close proximity to the Navigation Center and is used daily by school-aged children who often wait without direct adult supervision. Parents have expressed concerns about maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for children traveling to and from school. Also adjacent to the bus stop are our mailboxes, and some residents are afraid to even check their mail.
We ask the Town Council to carefully weigh the current location of the Navigation Center against all other viable alternatives and determine whether this location is appropriate given the number of persons who regularly use the area and whose use is now negatively impacted
Fire Danger
Of great concern to the Greater Truckee Community is the increased risk of a devastating forest fire. Individuals who are welcome to the Navigation Center for daily support services have been found living in the surrounding forest and creek areas, making campfires during a strict fire ban. Truckee has already experienced two fires behind Safeway started by homeless encampments. It seems obvious that a location for the center away from heavily forested areas, with the addition of mental health services and housing would be preferable as opposed to the current location and operations.
Quality of Life
Coldstream is one of Truckee's newer residential communities. The area is growing rapidly with several other phases already planned and under construction. Many homeowners have invested their life savings in purchasing homes here with the expectation of living in a family-oriented neighborhood with access to parks, trails, and open space. Locating the Navigation Center immediately adjacent to this rapidly growing residential neighborhood raises significant concerns about compatibility with the long-term vision for the area and the quality of life for current and future residents.
Property Values and Tax Revenue
For many Coldstream residents, their home is their largest financial investment. Homeowners are concerned that this Navigation Center directly adjacent to the neighborhood has negatively influenced buyer perceptions. We know of at least one contract sale that was cancelled due to a mentally unstable individual with a crowbar wandering up and down Winter Camp Way. The police were summoned 4 times, but unable to arrest the individual due to current state laws.
The existing and planned properties will bring significant tax revenue to the Town of Truckee, with each home ranging in value from $750K to upwards of $1.75M in today’s market prices. Delays in construction due to low demand or delays in people buying new homes will have a significant negative impact on our town’s finances. We respectfully request that the Town evaluate these potential economic impacts before extending the lease with the Navigational Center.
Coldstream Commons Proximity
The location of the workforce housing complex, Coldstream Commons, which serves another key vulnerable population, and the current location of the Navigation Center, places the Coldstream Subdivision directly in between these two sites. This is creating issues when the residents of both locations are interfacing, usually on the property of Coldstream subdivision, the bike path, or the bus stop. Moving the Navigation center to another location would greatly reduce these interactions and police calls.
Impact to Businesses
All of the businesses adjacent to the Coldstream subdivision have been negatively impacted by this Navigation center. Loitering, stealing, alcohol use, drugs, and panhandling are just a few of the complaints expressed by each and every business adjacent to Coldstream. Each business has filed up to 10 no trespass orders with the Truckee Police. We need to support our local businesses, not put obstacles in the way of their ability to function, which negatively affects tax revenue for our town.
Conclusion
In summary we are asking the town to cancel the Navigation Center lease at the end of this trial year. While we understand the convenience of keeping the status quo, extending the lease and making this center more permanent at the current location will be a terrible long-term decision. The objectives of the pilot as communicated publicly, were to look at center utilization and the impact to the neighborhood at the same time and with equal weight and importance. There is indisputable evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, that the center at the current location has not achieved one of its key pilot objectives.
It has been a disaster for the residents of Coldstream, the quality of our lives has been greatly diminished and harmed as a result of this Navigation Center. We are living in fear and our children are exposed daily to mentally unstable individuals that the Center as well as the Police Department have limited means of controlling. The burden to cope with the situation falls squarely on the residents, local businesses, and guests of the town of Truckee.
We encourage the Town Council to identify and evaluate alternative locations that are much better suited for a Navigation Center—sites that provide convenient access to services, health care, and transportation, while minimizing impacts on established residential neighborhoods, local businesses, children, schools, and recreational facilities. We believe Truckee can continue to lead with compassion while also selecting a location that better balances the needs of those seeking services with the safety, well-being, and long-term interests of surrounding neighborhoods.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this petition.
6 Comments
Our family has had a cabin for generations, that said I’ve seen whats happening and it’s because of the magnet of the center. I’m not sure why this location was considered a good idea? It abuts residential and the park where we need to feel safe. And the trail where many residents walk or ride.
I am signing this petition because I no longer feel safe in my own neighborhood or inside my house.This is not an objection to providing services or compassionate support to people experiencing homelessness. It is about the very real consequences this location has had for the residents who live immediately around it. I have personally found an individual passed out on my property who has since reportedly threatened to kill children in our neighborhood. This same individual has assaulted someone
On her evening walk, my wife was aggressively followed by a man who suddenly appeared from an illegal camp adjacent to the shelter. Neighbors gave her sanctuary while this was reported to the shelter manager, but nothing was done. This is one of many incidents the community has experienced - often daily. As a direct result of the decision to pilot this inappropriate location by the town council, Truckee PD have reported an unprecedented year on year increase of incidents within our community.
It's unconstitutional that tax payers have to foot the bill for another homeless project that will fail like all the other government homeless projects enacted since the 1960s! It's unconstitutional that another socialist POLICY of putting homeless into TAX PAYER'S neighborhoods which bring crime and drugs. I highly doubt any Town of Truckee council member or Mayor would want this in their multi million dollar gated community. It's hypocrisy. What's right for thee isn't right for me.
I am signing this for the safety of my 2 children.
Locating the center where it is is the wrong choice.
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Our family has had a cabin for generations, that said I’ve seen whats happening and it’s because of the magnet of the center. I’m not sure why this location was considered a good idea? It abuts residential and the park where we need to feel safe. And the trail where many residents walk or ride.