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Council grants reasonable-accommodation request for Oxford House Horizon at 1007 South 16th; vote 6-1
Summary
The council approved a request to allow 10 unrelated individuals with disabilities to live together at 1007 South Sixteenth Street under collaborative living provisions; the measure passed 6-1 after questions about parking and DHHS contracting were discussed.
The Lincoln City Council on Monday approved a reasonable-accommodation request allowing Oxford House Horizon to house up to 10 unrelated individuals with disabilities at 1007 South Sixteenth Street, with the motion passing 6-1 (one councilmember voted no).
Attorney Mark Falson, representing Oxford House Horizon, told the council the application proceeds under federal and state fair-housing law and local municipal code provisions permitting collaborative living arrangements for individuals with disabilities. Falson said the planning commission had recommended approval 7-0 and that the applicant requested a waiver to reduce required on-site parking from five spaces to four.
Councilwoman Washington asked whether residents rely on public transportation given the reduced parking provision. Falson said the residence was selected in part for its proximity to public transit and that many residents use transit; he did not provide a count of transit users and said he would follow up if the council wanted specifics. He also said the house works with the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), but he was not privy to specific contract terms.
On a recorded roll call, the student council seat voted no and the remaining members voted yes, yielding a 6-1 approval. Council documents show the planning commission had no opposition at its hearing.
