Richland County board approves special exception for veteran ‘Honor House’ at 1545 La Grande Road

The Richland County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a special exception on July 8 allowing a transitional boarding house for disabled veterans at 1545 La Grande Road, subject to conditions intended to limit neighborhood impacts.

Zoning administrator DeLonge told the board the request, filed as case SC26-001, seeks authorization under Table 26-4.2 for a rooming or boarding house on a property zoned institutional. Staff recommended approval but noted the use must meet three criteria: an owner or manager must reside on the premises; no more than 50% of the heated floor area may be used for sleeping quarters; and all parking must be on the same lot, located at the rear and screened from view by vegetation. Staff also said further review by planning, building and fire marshal divisions would be required before the use could open.

Applicant Chad Middleton, who identified himself as a licensed professional counselor supervisor and owner of Vision Counseling and Vocational Consulting, described the proposed “Honor House” as low-density transitional housing with private and shared sleeping quarters, common living and dining areas, an intake and case-management office, and on-site staffing. "Our goal is to provide a safe, structured, well-maintained home where veterans can receive individualized support," Middleton said, adding the program would typically place residents on 6- to 12-month terms and require referrals from formal organizations.

Nearby property owner Annette Fasic said she learned of the request from a sign and expressed concern about parking and driveway access, saying La Grande Road dead-ends at her property. "My biggest concern is parking," she said. Her son, Jeff Fasic, asked the county to consider adding a sidewalk to the nearest public-transit stop to help residents who rely on transit.

Middleton responded that the corner lot includes a large backyard suitable for a rear parking area and said he would add a concrete lot if approved. He said one bedroom would be reserved for the on-site manager and that intake assessments would screen out residents with needs the house could not safely accommodate. "We will be providing adequate parking for anybody that comes to the Honor House," Middleton said.

Board members focused questions on whether the proposed nine sleeping rooms would exceed the 50% heated-area limit. Staff reported assessor records list the structure’s heated area as 3,720 square feet, which would allow up to 1,860 square feet for sleeping quarters; the applicant’s initial materials listed roughly 1,270 square feet for sleeping rooms. The board discussed deferral versus conditional approval and the possibility of requiring an assessor/site-plan verification as part of the order or subsequent departmental reviews.

Committee member Speaker 4 moved to approve the special exception with conditions that the owner or manager reside on the premises; that a maximum of 50% of the heated floor area be used for sleeping quarters; and that parking be on the same lot at the rear, screened by vegetation. The motion was seconded and passed 5–0. The board also approved the minutes from its May 4 meeting earlier in the session.

Staff said the conditional approval does not eliminate required follow-up reviews: planning, building-permit and fire-marshal reviews will verify parking, occupancy and code compliance before a business license or occupancy is granted. The board noted the special-exception use must be established within one year of approval or the applicant would need to reappear.

The board scheduled at least two cases for its next meeting on Aug. 5 and adjourned.