Applicant withdraws SUP for 1306 Mercury Lane after neighborhood concerns; residents seek clarification about group-home plans

The Lancaster City Council was informed that the applicant formally withdrew the specific-use permit (SUP) application for 1306 Mercury Lane (Sky Heights Safe Haven).

City attorney advised the council that staff received the applicant’s withdrawal letter earlier that evening and that the item would be removed from consideration. After the withdrawal was announced, several residents and local partners asked clarifying questions. Marcus Knight stated neighbors had opposed the earlier request at Planning & Zoning and asked whether the withdrawal removed plans to operate a residential in‑home treatment facility entirely or only the request to exceed the default limit of six residents. Quan Brown, representing Simply Custom and describing himself as general contractor and community partner for Sky Heights, argued that state law (Texas Human Resources Code §42.002) defines a licensed foster group home as a facility caring for seven to 12 children and said Sky Heights is licensed for seven and therefore compliant. Brown contended that Lancaster’s development code section he cited applies to group or community homes for persons with disabilities (up to six residents plus two caregivers) and asserted that the Sky Heights residents are not covered by that disability-based category, so a SUP should not be required.

Resident and teacher Carmelie Sims expressed concern that the neighborhood had been blindsided, questioned whether adequate supervision and notification would be provided, and urged the council to vote no if the proposal reappears without community notice. The city attorney told neighbors that, with the application withdrawn, staff could not comment on the merits in open session but offered to meet with concerned citizens after the meeting to answer questions.

Because the SUP was withdrawn, council took no action on the application at this meeting.