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Lawrence board renews one-year administrative approval for transitional-living home at East 40th Street
Summary
The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously March 18 to extend a special-exception use for one year for a transitional-living residence operated by petitioner Lorraine Hope Jackson at East 40th Street after city review and fire-department approvals.
The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals on March 18 voted unanimously to grant a one-year administrative approval to continue a special-exception use at East 40th Street for a transitional-living residence operated by Lorraine Hope Jackson.
The action affects case 25-LAP-017140 (portion 4000054) in LDC Number 1, Zone C4; Jackson requested continuation of a special-exception use and referenced variance 23-LSE-08. The board's chair announced the unanimous decision after members heard testimony from the petitioner, city staff and a resident who spoke in support.
Jackson described the facility as a small residential program that serves mixed populations, including elderly residents with health conditions, people with serious mental-health diagnoses and people transitioning from other placements. Jackson said she is a nurse, that health-care aides provide most day-to-day assistance, and that staffing is present around the clock. "I just try to give these people hope," Jackson told the board.
Board members pressed Jackson on occupancy, emergency calls and licensing. Jackson said the house can hold up to 12 people but is not always full, that she has contracted relationships with health-care aides and with local hospitals, and that staff respond 24 hours a day. A board member noted staff had recorded about 37 emergency-run responses involving police and fire in the previous year; Jackson said many calls involved elderly residents with acute medical issues and that she works with hospitals and case managers to obtain medication and care.
City of Lawrence staff told the board that Jackson had completed the items requested at the previous hearing, including fire-department occupancy requirements, and had satisfied notice requirements to adjacent properties. The petitioner said she had installed additional ventilation and provided photos to staff during the meeting. A resident who identified themself as "Miss Missouri" spoke in support.
Board members also discussed legal and ownership questions. Jackson said the facility is operated through an LLC and that she is the primary member; the board clarified that the previous one-year approval had been issued to Jackson as the petitioner and that any future operator would need to return for approval. The chair summarized: the administrative review remains in effect until Jackson sells or moves out, and a new petitioner would need to seek board approval.
The board recorded that the administrative approval is the last one-year extension for the petitioner under the variance as written. No remonstrators were present at the hearing. The board's vote was announced from the dais as unanimous in favor.
The petitioner said she intends to continue operating the residence and renewing her lease. The board did not adopt new conditions beyond confirming that the petition and approvals are tied to the petitioner and her submitted business plan; any change in operator or business plan would require a new submittal and board action.
The meeting moved on after the vote; city staff confirmed the administrative file remains open for compliance checks and that the petitioner must comply with any outstanding building or fire-department requirements.
