North OC Times

Anaheim has decided to conclude its legal battle over a transitional care home and will instead focus on advocating for local oversight at the state level. The city had been appealing a court decision regarding an operating permit for a transitional home in a downtown neighborhood.

Mayor Ashleigh Aitken stated, "We have fought for our residents and for local control in our neighborhoods, while also acknowledging the rights of care facilities under current state law." She added, "While disappointed in the court’s decision, we now turn our attention to working with our state partners and other cities to fight for reform that restores practical regulation for everyone’s benefit."

In the upcoming weeks, Anaheim plans to collaborate with legislative representatives in Sacramento and other cities to advocate for laws that allow cities permitting oversight of larger care facilities within neighborhoods.

The decision follows an Orange County Superior Court ruling earlier this year against Anaheim concerning a transitional home operated by Grandma’s House of Hope. The nonprofit had sought to convert a house into a facility for up to 16 women but faced opposition from Anaheim's Planning Commission and City Council due to concerns about neighborhood saturation.

Anaheim has supported Grandma’s House of Hope previously, approving ten other transitional homes operated by the nonprofit. The issue was not with the operator but rather with the city's requirement for an operating permit for facilities accommodating more than six people.

Despite supporting the home's mission, Anaheim raised concerns about potential impacts due to several similar facilities being located close together. The city agreed with California that neighborhoods are often ideal settings for recovery but warned against overconcentration of such facilities.

Withdrawing from the appeal means that the court's judgment will take effect. This week, Anaheim will inform Grandma’s House of Hope that no conditional-use permit is needed anymore according to the court's ruling. Factors influencing this decision included uncertainty about winning in court and complications related to state approval of Anaheim's housing element within its general plan.

Anaheim looks forward to updating its municipal code soon so that operating permits won't be required anymore for homes serving seven or more individuals. This change aligns with efforts shared between Anaheim and California to address high housing costs through building more homes.