Commissioners continue Hope City Refuge rezoning after public opposition and outstanding code issues; hearing set for June 3

The Board of County Commissioners on April 22 continued a rezoning and small-scale land-use change from A-2 (agricultural/rural) to a planned development to allow housing and social services proposed by Hope City Refuge. Commissioners said they wanted additional time for the applicant to resolve outstanding code-enforcement issues, confirm financing and clarify operational partners after lengthy public testimony that included both strong support for the ministry's mission and strong concerns from nearby residents about safety and past violations.

What was proposed: The applicant, Hope City Refuge, sought land-use and zoning changes for a property south of State Road 50 and west of SR 417 that would allow up to 120 transitional housing units, 120 emergency housing units, a 9,000-square-foot drug treatment facility and a 9,000-square-foot education/administration space. The plan divides the property into two parcels: a hotel-style emergency shelter parcel for screening and intake, and a lower-density transitional housing parcel intended for young adults aging out of foster care.

Public comment and staff notes: Dozens of residents attended and spoke. Opponents described repeated safety incidents and past code and fire-safety violations at property locations tied to the ministry, and asked the commission not to approve a large-scale facility before the applicant resolved fines and permitting issues. Supporters and faith leaders said the ministry provides outreach, housing and services for people in need and urged the county to help enable the project. County code compliance and fire prevention staff told the board that many violations dated to 2021 and that, while substantial compliance steps had been completed recently, administrative fines remain on the record and several non-negotiable fines were not yet resolved.

Commission response and outcome: Commissioners and staff said they were sympathetic to the applicant's charitable goals but needed more documentation of compliance, funding and operational partners before approving a land-use and zoning change for a facility of this size. The commission voted to continue the item to a June 3 meeting (2:00 p.m.), giving the applicant time to clear up outstanding permitting and enforcement matters and to provide additional operational and financing details. The board instructed staff to continue to coordinate with the applicant and the district commissioner on outstanding steps.

Clarifying details - Compliance and fines: County records cited during the hearing show code-enforcement cases dating back to 2021, including matters that led to a court injunction requiring vacating certain occupancies. County staff said some fines have been reduced through the administrative process but other fines and penalties remain and some issues were addressed only within days of the hearing. - Operations and partners: The applicant described planned service partners, medical support and pro bono resources but did not present a finalized financing package or a fully resolved list of operational contracts in board comments; commissioners asked the applicant to provide firm documentation on funding and partner commitments.

Next steps: The commission continued the matter to June 3 to allow the applicant to work with county departments to: finalize permits, document funding sources and firm service partners, and resolve or clarify the status of outstanding fines and compliance. The county's code compliance and fire prevention offices will continue to monitor the property and report back with a compliance summary prior to the next hearing.

Votes at a glance - Motion to continue Hope City Refuge rezoning to June 3 at 2:00 p.m.; mover: Commissioner Uribe; second: (recorded second). Outcome: passed unanimously on April 22.