Commission recommends special use for 16‑bed youth emergency shelter at 220 College Ave

Tanisha, executive director of Family Service Agency, presented a proposal to operate a 16‑bed youth emergency shelter at 220 College Avenue for youths ages 14–17. She said the shelter would operate 24/7 with awake staff on site, provide meals, laundry, transportation to youths' home school districts when feasible, and offer clinicians and case management. The agency described the average stay as about 21 days, with a statutory maximum under special circumstances of up to 120 days.

Staff confirmed that the building previously housed a similar facility (Discovery House for the Ben Gordon Center), that the property includes three on‑site parking spaces and shared access arrangements, and that the shelter must meet rooming‑house licensing, building‑code capacity calculations and DCFS licensing rules applicable to youth emergency shelters. Staff also noted the City Council approved a $50,000 amendment to the Community Development Block Grant fund to assist the program (not tied to a specific property).

Neighbors asked about driveway sharing, blocking of the shared access, visitor policies, parking and snow‑removal arrangements. Family Service Agency said youth will not be permitted vehicles on site, visitors will be restricted and scheduled, staff will enforce curfews, and the agency offered a direct contact number to address operational concerns. The agency also said existing sprinklers and fire systems reduced upfront retrofit costs; a third‑floor emergency stair is being constructed to meet code.

The commission found the special‑use findings were met and voted to forward a recommendation to City Council to approve the lodging house special use at 220 College Avenue subject to conditions in the staff report (capacity determined by building code and rooming‑house calculation, minimum on‑site staffing, annual inspections and a clause that the special use is void if Family Service Agency ceases to lease the property).