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Pleasant Heights residents ask council to pause rezoning of church proposed as homeless shelter
Summary
A Pleasant Heights resident letter urged Steubenville City Council to halt any rezoning or use changes for a church proposed as an emergency shelter near Veterans Memorial Park, citing recent nearby violent crime, operational concerns and a request for broader neighborhood engagement; council accepted the letter into the minutes.
A neighborhood petition read into the record on Dec. 2 urged the Steubenville City Council to pause any governmental processes that would alter property or zoning for a church proposed as an emergency homeless shelter near Veterans Memorial Park in Pleasant Heights.
The petition, authored by resident Jan Michael Yabs of 807 Lawson Ave., said no neighborhood consultation had occurred and warned that "adding a high-impact variable" to an area the letter describes as "prone to crime and violence" could increase risks to residents and to shelter guests. The letter also listed operational concerns—volunteer recruitment, sustained funding, utilities, insurance and security—and asked the City to refrain from irreversible decisions while alternatives may become available. Mr. McManamon moved to accept the letter into the minutes; Mr. Albaugh seconded and the motion carried on a unanimous roll call.
Council did not take any zoning action during the meeting. The petition was entered into the official minutes for this meeting so it will be part of the public record as the City and community continue discussions about shelter options and neighborhood input.
