Fremont council approves conditional use permit for girls’ group home at 749 East 32nd

The Fremont City Council on June 9 approved a conditional use permit for a girls-only group home at 749 East 32nd, concluding a months-long review and a public hearing that included staff presentations, applicant testimony and public comment.

Planning Director Jeff Ray told the council the application — submitted by Dave Mitchell on behalf of the property owner — had been vetted by the planning commission and the police department. Ray said the property previously housed a memory-care facility and that staff and police recommended detailed operational conditions to mitigate risks associated with past problematic group homes. “I was satisfied with that list,” Ray said, adding that violations of the listed operations would expose the permit to amendment or revocation under the city’s Unified Development Code.

The council spent substantial time questioning how the permit would be enforced and what local benefits the project would bring. Councilman Her proposed language to make clear that a conditional use could be extinguished for violating the resolution; the council voted to add that whereas statement as an amendment before final action.

Applicant representative Cynthia Cusk, who introduced herself as the proposed on-site clinical director and a Fremont resident, described the program model: gradual occupancy beginning with a single resident and expanding toward a permitted capacity (the facility holds up to 16 beds), referrals from parents, the state Department of Health and Human Services or other sources, and a focus on reunification where appropriate. “We’re going to look close at Fremont kids because this is where their families are,” Cusk said, adding that program fit would drive placements.

Council members pressed the applicant and schools staff on special-education implications, saying state and federal aid does not cover 100% of costs and local districts may need to make up differences. Councilman Marsh questioned whether students who turn 18 would be “kicked out”; Cusk replied that the program plans transitional services into adulthood. The council also discussed starting occupancy slowly (one at a time) versus beginning at a larger cohort to meet the landlord’s financial model.

Supporters, including developer representative Dave Mitchell and consultant Jquila Yarro — who described lived experience in group-home settings — urged the council to approve the CUP, emphasizing program safeguards and positive outcomes from similar projects. “This is an opportunity for us to serve,” Mitchell said.

After closing the public hearing, Councilman Horner moved to approve Resolution 2026-085 with the previously adopted amendments; the motion carried by a recorded 7–1 vote.

The permit includes the operational conditions incorporated into the resolution and the explicit amendment clarifying that failure to meet those conditions could lead to revocation or modification of the CUP under the city’s enforcement process. The applicant may begin the staged admissions process described in the application, subject to compliance with the condition language that the council adopted.

The council did not adopt additional contractual arrangements with the school district to cover any special-education cost differences; council members said the district would need to address reimbursement and staffing questions through its own processes.

The council’s action authorizes city staff to finalize permit paperwork consistent with the approved resolution and conditions. If staff or residents later present evidence of violations, the CUP can be brought back to the council for review.