Planning commission tables United Way Dickinson special‑use permit for former Evergreen building after extended public hearing

The City of Dickinson Planning and Zoning Commission on May 14 tabled action on a special use permit application from United Way Dickinson to operate a multipurpose group living facility at 2143 Sixth Avenue West (the former Evergreen long‑term care facility). Commissioners opened an extended public hearing, heard more than a dozen residents and agency representatives, and directed staff to review additional materials before the commission takes a recommendation to the City Commission.

United Way Dickinson executive director Dakota Gant presented a comprehensive operations plan and facility design for a three‑story, 79‑room facility that would combine low‑barrier emergency shelter, inpatient and outpatient substance‑use treatment, transitional supportive housing and a tenant House of Mana supply center. "This is not just a homeless shelter," Gant said. "This is alcohol treatment to individuals in need, provide an alternative to incarceration, a diversion program, support individuals exiting treatment or homelessness, reduce recidivism through structure and care coordination, improve neighborhood safety by offering housing and supervision instead of unsheltered homelessness." He described 24‑hour staffing, security cameras, a perimeter privacy fence, private rooms with individual bathrooms, program partnerships and multiple grant and reimbursement revenue streams the organization says will support operations.

City planner Natalie Burchek told the commission the application, as received on May 7, lacked several items the city requires for a special use permit for a group living facility: a full list of partner organizations that would operate on site, a site plan showing how the building would be used, a detailed initial financial plan and a concrete operations plan including maximum resident counts. Staff recommended denial or tabling unless the applicant supplied the requested documents; Gant said those materials were provided at the meeting and asked the commission to allow staff time to review them.

Supporters who spoke at the hearing included representatives from Southwestern District Health Unit, which submitted a letter of endorsement and offered vaccinations, TB services and Narcan training; the SWMCCC community treatment program (which said it would expand capacity); and Jonathan Holt, the state's commissioner of recovery and reentry, who said the plan aligns with statewide diversion and reentry priorities. Stark County State's Attorney Amanda Ingolstedt told commissioners she supports a local facility to help maintain treatment gains after people leave out‑of‑town programs.

Residents and neighborhood representatives raised safety, traffic and property‑value concerns. North Hills Townhomes Association president Bruce Coppinger said his association's units are less than 300 feet from the site and he opposed the location. Resident Jackie Miller, whose townhouse backs up to the property, asked what recourse neighbors would have if the facility did not live up to promised standards; Burchek and other staff explained special use permits are subject to annual review and that the city can revoke a permit midyear if operations repeatedly violate conditions and pose documented problems.

Contractor Tracy Tews, an investor in the building acquisition, and others said the building is largely serviceable for the proposed use, that similar programs in the area already serve people in need, and that the project has secured or been deemed eligible for multiple grants and philanthropic commitments. Gant said United Way Dickinson has a lease with an investor and an opportunity to purchase the building in three years; he listed grant awards and projected program billing revenue included in the materials submitted to staff.

After more than two hours of testimony and questions, Commissioner (name on record) moved to table the special use permit to allow staff to complete its review of the newly submitted documents and for the city to host a public forum where residents and partner agencies can discuss operations and safety. The motion passed on a voice vote. The commission instructed staff to bring a staff analysis and to publicize an additional meeting/forum before the matter returns to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

No final action was taken. If the commission later recommends approval, the recommendation would go to the City Commission for final approval; any approved special use permit would be subject to conditions, annual review and possible revocation for noncompliance.

Key quotes

"This is not just a homeless shelter. This is alcohol treatment to individuals in need, provide an alternative to incarceration..." — Dakota Gant, executive director, United Way Dickinson

"Southwestern District Health Unit is pleased to offer the following services to clients of the new facility: vaccinations, smoking and vaping cessation, Ryan White services, TB services, Narcan training." — letter read by Al Webster on behalf of Southwestern District Health Unit

"If things go awry... the city does reserve the right to revoke that special use permit." — Natalie Burchek, City of Dickinson planning staff (explaining enforcement and annual review)

Action: SUPD‑002‑2025 was tabled pending staff review and a public forum; no final decision.