The Planning Commission on Sept. 11 approved a concept plan and a development plan for a residential rehabilitation program called A Step Toward Home after item 16 was pulled from the consent list for public comment.
An opponent, Gregory Nichols, told the commission he was worried about an expansion of an existing residential program that houses people recently released from jail; he cited reports of fights in a nearby park and alleged drug use at the existing facility and requested a postponement so additional witnesses could attend. The applicant’s representative, Lee Ellis, said his organization partners with the Lazarus Project and serves as a housing provider; Ellis described the operator as committed to program integrity and stated homelessness and addiction recovery services are in short supply.
Staff recommended approval of the concept plan subject to six conditions and recommended approval for the development plan for four duplexes subject to two conditions. Commissioner Overton moved to approve the concept plan; after discussion the commission approved both the concept plan and the development plan by voice votes.
Why it matters: The item drew public comment because residents nearby raised safety and quality-of-life concerns tied to the program’s operations. Commissioners and staff framed the planning question narrowly: whether the proposed lot layout and development plan were consistent with zoning and design standards, not the operator’s day-to-day program management.
Decision and next steps: Commissioners approved the concept plan (motion by Commissioner Overton) and approved the development plan for four duplexes (motion also from Commissioner Overton, seconded by Vice Chair Levinson). Staff will enforce the conditions of approval and any permitting requirements; operational concerns raised by neighbors (complaints about conduct or code violations) fall under separate code enforcement or criminal-justice agencies and were outside the commission’s scope.
Clarifying detail: staff recommended six conditions on the concept plan and two conditions on the development plan; the applicant confirmed willingness to meet those conditions during the meeting. Public commenters requested postponement initially to assemble witness statements; the commission elected to hear the item the same day and approved the plans.