Palo Alto's City Council unanimously adopted a one-year moratorium on detention and custodial facilities within city limits on Monday, Oct. 26, Palo Alto Online reports.
What it covers
The ban applies to detention and custodial facilities run by any entity that are used to "detain, confine, process or house persons in custody under process of law." According to Hoodline's preview of the ordinance, it takes effect immediately, expires automatically unless the council extends it, and does not apply to existing custodial facilities like holding areas in the public safety building or the superior court building.
Why now
Hoodline reported that city staff had flagged a gap in the zoning code: public-facility-zoned properties could in theory allow a detention operation. Staff considered that unlikely but wanted a pause while the city studies permanent rules. At the meeting, rapid-response attorney Cara Silver said, "One of the primary reasons we have not had mass immigration raids in the Bay Area is simple: There is no detention center in our region."
Mayor Vicki Veenker said the ordinance was inspired by a land-use toolkit that Rep. Sam Liccardo gave local governments in August. "While Palo Alto may not be the first place they look, let's remove any ambiguity and make sure we are no on their shopping list," she said, according to Palo Alto Online. Councilmember Ed Lauing called it "the easiest vote 'Yes' that I've taken in my four years on the council."
Regional pattern
Palo Alto joins San Jose, Mountain View, Los Altos and Gilroy in adopting similar restrictions. The wave of local action followed a federal plan for a detention facility near Gilroy, which a federal court paused in September. Because the ban is temporary, the council could adopt it without first sending it to the Planning and Transportation Commission. The city plans to bring a permanent ordinance through that regular process.