Members of the Spring Valley community, who had previously expressed their opposition to tiny homes for the homeless, are now opposing the establishment of a new safe parking site in their neighborhood. Residents claim they feel excluded from the discussions that led to these decisions.

However, they made sure their voices were heard at a community meeting held on Wednesday night. "I want transparency. I want answers," said Stefanie Becker, a Spring Valley resident. Becker, along with other neighbors, organized this meeting to allow those who share her concerns to express their views. "Suddenly, there was a safe parking lot that nobody had heard anything about," she added to a media outlet through its website.

The Spring Valley Community Church was filled with dozens of neighbors who were also unaware of the new safe parking site. The church's pastor, Steve Babbitt, responded to heated questions, admitting that he was initially skeptical. "This is ideal for those kids living in vehicles who need a little help to access housing. The safe parking lot has a 24/7 security guard, even when no one is on site," Babbitt explained. 

The County of San Diego is leasing the land from the church and has invested $3.7 million in the safe parking site, which will cost just under $1 million annually to operate.

The main concerns of residents revolve around loitering between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., when the lot is closed, and the vetting of those who will stay at the site. "Well, at 7 a.m., where do they go?" Becker questioned.

The safe parking site will prioritize elderly people and children experiencing homelessness, allowing 27 families to park there overnight.

While some residents remain skeptical despite the vetting process, others are hopeful for change. "My first impression was: all right! You know, this is a situation where we have a solution," said Barulio Sanabria of the Spring Valley Community Alliance.

Neighbors living near the parking site shared that they had previously dealt with homeless individuals throwing clothes and trash into their yards, and now hope that the new fences, security, and lot will make a difference in the area.