Community plans emergency shelter amid zoning challenges

During a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around a proposal from Paslake County's nonprofit homeless service organizations to convert the Fairbridge property into an emergency shelter. Currently zoned as a C-2 district within an agricultural overlay, the property does not allow for emergency shelters by right or through a special use permit.

To facilitate this conversion, the organizations are seeking a text amendment to Article VII of the zoning ordinance, which governs special purpose districts. This amendment would permit emergency shelters in the GGG overlay as a special use permit. If approved, the plan includes transforming the Fairbridge property into a fixed shelter featuring 30 sleeping rooms.

The board, having received a detailed memo from planning administrator, the village attorney, and the community development director, appears well-informed on the implications of the proposed changes. The discussions highlight a growing focus on addressing homelessness in the region, with the potential for the Fairbridge property to serve as a critical resource for those in need.