The Santa Cruz City Council last night voted to cancel plans to create a new homeless camp at Parking Lot 24 next to Depot Park. The future of the existing Camp Ross remains unsettled.
During a lengthy and occasionally raucous meeting yesterday afternoon and evening, the council, however, continued to discuss what to do with the homeless population currently camping outside Gateway Plaza on River Street.
In canceling the Lot 24 plan, councilmembers cited community unhappiness with the location near a youth soccer field. The council also voted not to create any alternative campgrounds in the city’s neighborhoods or parks.at east of the time being.
The Ross Camp remains controversial and has become the subject of a lawsuit seeking to prevent its closure. It is unclear when that closure, scheduled for next week, will take place.
