Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use SLUP topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stonecrest council denies plan to convert Button Gate Court home into licensed child-caring institution
Summary
After hours of public comment and a staff recommendation to deny, the Stonecrest City Council voted 5–0 to reject SLUP 25-005, which would have allowed 3802 Button Gate Court to operate as a licensed child-caring institution. Neighbors cited traffic, safety and precedent concerns.
The Stonecrest City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 23 to deny a special land use permit that would have converted 3802 Button Gate Court from a single-family home into a licensed child-caring institution.
Neighbors and nearby homeowners filled the meeting’s public-comment period, urging denial. Hill Smith, a resident of nearly three decades, told the council the proposal would bring “institutional” operations — rotating staff, transportation vehicles and activity at nonresidential hours — that are “not comparable to a traditional household.” Leander Charles said the facility’s potential to house older youth with complex needs raised concerns about police and emergency demands on the neighborhood.
Sean Pittman, who lives within 1,000 feet of the property, described past violent incidents near the address and urged the council to reject the application. In contrast, Tawana Morgan, who said she does criminal-defense work and had reviewed research, argued licensed residential care does not increase neighborhood crime and noted a supporting petition with about 45 signatures.
Planning staff recommended denial after reviewing the application; the planning commission had instead recommended a full-cycle deferral to allow further community engagement. Councilman George Turner moved to deny the petition; the motion was seconded and carried 5–0, formally denying SLUP 25-005.
The council did not approve an alternative location or mitigation plan at the meeting; several public speakers asked the city to refer applicants to locations zoned for institutional or commercial use.
