New migrant camp proposed in Spreckels by local ag company

A new migrant camp could soon make its way to the Central Coast. There has been talk about building new housing for farmworkers on the outskirts of Spreckles. It’s a project that’s still being developed and local residents are now learning about the idea.

“Apparently there’s some plan for approximately 800 housing units for migrant workers. And apparently it will be for single men only,” Spreckles resident Doug Glovaski said.

Glovaski said he’s lived in Spreckles for more than a year now and just recently heard that agriculture giant Tanimura and Antle was planning on funding this new development near his home.

“They have to live somewhere and they’re the ones that pick the food that goes on our tables. So I think it’s a great idea actually,” Glovaski said.

But not everyone agrees. Other residents,who spoke with NewsChannel 5 but didn’t want to be identified, said they already have a lot of drivers coming through town and having a migrant camp would only make matters worse.

County Supervisor Simon Salinas said the project is still in planning stage. But he has already heard from concerned residents about the seasonal workers.

“Traffic has surfaced, water, is there water? Certainly they have to prove there is all the infrastructure in place to build this housing,” Salinas said.

Salinas said the county needs the workforce and migrant workers need housing.

“There’s a lack of rental housing in this county. Certainly homes for sale are very expensive and so these workers need the ability to know that they have a place to come and live,” Salinas said.

Residents are expected to get their first look at the housing designs in two weeks and Glovaski hopes that by then the community will be more open minded.

“I understand the concern. But at the same time, I think it may be getting blown out of proportion a little bit,” Glovaski said.

The county board of supervisors is expected to have a completed plan by August. We’re also told, Tanimura and Antle would like to have the housing built by April of next year.