Different location needed for treatment center

Horizon’s Palm Avenue facility in San Mateo has been shut down by the state twice in five years. The first shutdown occurred in March 2021 following the death of a patient. The state’s own language described that violation as involving “imminent danger to the client.” The facility reopened under a three-year probationary license, then was shut down again in May 2024 for separate violations. It reopened under a second probationary license. Horizon’s only existing San Mateo County facility is currently operating under its second consecutive probationary license. That is a pattern, not an incident.

At the April 15 City Council session, a Horizon executive stated on the public record that the 2021 shutdown was the only one. Based on public records, that statement was not accurate.

The San Mateo Police Department responded to Palm Avenue approximately 33 times in 2025, and the Fire Department logged 88 additional responses — at a 22-bed facility. The proposed facility would have 69 beds and project 17,000 client drops per year, on a corner of El Camino Real sitting 950 feet from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day School.

This community is not opposed to treatment services. We are opposed to this location for this operator at this scale. Treatment YES. Location NO.

A viable alternative on Mahler Road in Burlingame can be operational in approximately five months. Four of the five supervisors support it.

Christine Zanello

Hillsborough