[00:00:02]
[I. CALL TO ORDER]
WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH THE 15TH.UH, MS. POTTER, WOULD YOU DO BE SO KIND AS A CALL ORDER? CHAIRMAN MERTON HERE.
UH, WE HAVE A QUORUM, SO WE MAY PROCEED.
UH, ARE THERE ANY ADDITION OR DELETION OF ITEMS FROM THE AGENDA? DO WE HAVE ANY ITEMS TO ADD OR DELETE FROM THE AGENDA? HEARING NOTHING.
[IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
FOUR.APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY THE 15TH, 2023.
MR. CHAIRMAN, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
MS. POTTER, WOULD YOU DO A ROLL CALL? VOTE ON THE VOTE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
THE MINUTES ARE APPROVED FROM FEBRUARY THE 15TH, 2023.
OUR NEXT SEGMENT IS FOR CITIZEN COMMENTS.
THIS IS FOR, UH, ANY ITEM THAT IS NOT ON OUR REGULAR AGENDA TONIGHT.
IF YOU ARE HERE TO SPEAK, UH, FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING, UH, THAT WILL BE THE, UH, COUPLE ITEMS ON OUR LIST HERE.
BUT THIS PARTICULAR SESSION RIGHT NOW IS FOR ANYONE THAT WISHES TO COMMENT ON ANY ITEM THAT SHOULD COME BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
DO WE HAVE ANYBODY THAT WISHES TO SPEAK DURING THE CITIZEN COMMENT? SEEING NO ONE? WE NOW AT ITEM
[VI. CONSENT AGENDA]
SIX IN OUR AGENDA, OUR CONSENT AGENDA.DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR OUR CONSENT AGENDA? MOVE TO PROOF.
SECOND AND A SECOND FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
MS. POTTER, WOULD YOU READ THE ROLL CALL FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA? VOTE PLEASE.
AND THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THOSE, THAT ITEM WILL BE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL, UH, AT THE APRIL THE FIFTH WORK SESSION WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD APRIL 19TH.
THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA TONIGHT IS
[VII. PUBLIC HEARING]
THE, IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPLICATION NUMBER 2375, THE WARREN CO COALITION, WHICH IS A REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL USE USE PERMIT FOR A LODGING HOUSE LOCATED AT 200 NORTH ROYAL AVENUE.UH, BEFORE WE GET INTO THIS PUBLIC HEARING, I WOULD LIKE TO, UH, UH, INDICATE TO YOU THE, THE ORDER OF OUR PUBLIC HEARING OR THE, THE WAY THAT WE DO BUSINESS.
WITH THAT, THE FIRST ITEM WE WILL HAVE TONIGHT ON THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL GET THE STAFF REPORT.
WE'LL ALLOW THE APPLICANT TO HAVE A PRESENTATION.
WE WILL THEN OPEN THE SESSION TO, UH, PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND WE, WE WILL CLOSE THAT.
THERE WILL BE A SHORT TIME THAT THE APPLICANT'S REBUTTAL, UH, WILL BE PERMITTED.
UH, THE PLANNING COMMISSION AT THAT TIME MAY ASK QUESTIONS OF, UH, THE APPLICANT, UH, OR STAFF, AND THEN THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL VOTE ON SAID PUBLIC HEARING.
UM, WHEN YOU SPEAK TONIGHT, OUR RULES FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND FOR OUR PUBLIC HEARING IS, PLEASE DIRECT ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
UH, DO NOT ADDRESS THE APPLICANT STAFF OR OTHER SPEAKERS.
UH, THE COMMISSION MAY OR MAY NOT RESPOND TO ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
UM, A SPECIAL USE REQUEST IS USED TO DETERMINE IF THE PROPOSED USE IS APPROPRIATE FOR THAT PARTICULAR AREA.
UH, SIMPLY BECAUSE A USE IS ALLOWED DOES NOT MEAN THAT USE IS APPROPRIATE.
UM, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP, UM, AGAIN, UH, PLEASE DIRECT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, UH, AND TRY TO KEEP IT AS CLOSE TO THREE MINUTES, UH, AS POSSIBLE WITH THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS WE HAVE TONIGHT.
UM, WHEN YOU TAKE THE PODIUM, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND PLEASE CONFINE YOUR COMMENTS TO MATTERS, JERMAINE,
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TO THE BUSINESS OF THE COMMISSION, UH, REGARDING THE SUBDIVISION ZONING OR LAND USE APPLICATION PRESENTED BEFORE US, UH, POLITICAL OR PERSONAL ATTACKS, UH, ARE NOT PERMITTED.SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, OH, THERE'S THE LIST.
WE WILL NOW HAVE STAFF REPORT TO US ON THE, UM, PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE IS TONIGHT SPECIAL USE PERMIT 23 0 75, UH, FOR, UH, FROM THE WARREN COALITION FOR A LODGING HOUSE AT 200 NORTH ROYAL AVENUE.
UH, PART OF YOUR PACKAGE, YOU'LL REALIZE THAT A LODGING HOUSE DEFINED BY THE TOWN CODE IS A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING OTHER THAN A HOTEL MOTEL OR BED AND BREAKFAST HOME WHERE LODGING IS PROVIDED FOR COMPENSATION ON A REGULAR BASIS PURSUANT TO PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENTS, WHICH, BUT WHICH IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC OR TRANSIENT GUEST.
MEALS MAY BE PROVIDED TO THE RESIDENTS IN A CENTRAL LOCATION.
HOWEVER, NO PROVISION SHALL BE MADE FOR COOKING IN INDIVIDUAL ROOMS OR UNITS.
THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ROOMS OR UNITS SHALL BE CONTROLLED BY THE AREA REQUIREMENTS OF THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THE USE IS LOCATED.
BUT IN NO CASE SHALL THE, SHALL THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LODGING ROOMS OR UNITS EXCEED 10.
A LODGING HOUSE SHALL BE KNOWN AS A ROOMING HOUSE OR A BOARDING HOUSE.
THE STRUCTURE AT, UH, 200 NORTH ROW AVENUE WAS FORMALLY USED AS A LODGING HOUSE FROM 1989 TO 2019 WHEN THE USE WAS DISCONTINUED.
TOWN CODE 1 75 1 26 FOR DISCONTINUANCE REQUIRES IF ANY LEGALLY NON-CONFORMING USE IS DISCONTINUED FOR A APPEAR TO SEATING TWO YEARS AFTER AN ENACTMENT OF THIS CHAPTER.
IT SHALL BE ABANDONED AND ANY USE THEREAFTER SHALL CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CHAPTER.
HOWEVER, TOWN COUNCIL MAY APPROVE BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT, THE USE TO BE REINSTATED AND CONTINUED WITH THAT SECTION ONE 75,104.
THE TOWN CODE REQUIRES ALL NEW USES OR DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES.
USE SHALL COMPLY WITH THE OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 1 48, SECTION 1 48, 8 78 2 LODGING AND BOARDING BED AND BREAKFAST REQUIREMENTS FOR OFF-STREET PARKING ARE ONE SPACE PER ROOM AND ADDITIONAL TWO PARKING SPACES FOR EMPLOYEES.
IN ADDITION, CHAPTER 1 48, 8 78 7 REQUIRES WITH EXCEPTION OF THE OFF-STREET COMPACT CAR SPACES AND OFF STREET PARALLEL SPACES.
OFF STREET PARKING SPACES SHALL INCLUDE AN AREA NOT LESS THAN 162 SQUARE FEET, WHICH IS NINE BY 18.
AND COMPACT CAR SPACES SHALL INCLUDE AN AREA NOT LESS THAN 144 SQUARE FEET, WHICH IS EIGHT BY 18.
THE PROPERTY IS LOADED THERE IN THE HIGHLIGHTED AREA AT 200 NORTH ROYAL AVENUE.
THAT INTERSECTION, UH, THESE ARE, UH, PHOTOGRAPHS THAT TOWN TOOK OF THE PROPERTY AND SAID DWELLING.
THERE'S THE FRONT ENTRANCE, UH, THE VIEW FROM THE SIDE OF THE FRONT, UH, THE REAR PROPERTY, AND ANOTHER, UH, PICTURE OF THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY WITH THE GRAVEL THERE IN THE BACK THAT HAS SOME AREA FOR PARKING.
UH, THE PLAT, UH, THAT WAS SUBMITTED, HAS ENOUGH ROOM TO ACCOMMODATE EIGHT SPACES.
THOSE WOULD BE TWO FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND SIX FOR THE RESIDENCE.
UH, PART OF THE PROVISION IN YOUR, UH, PACKET IS, UH, PROVISION ON THE PARKING.
UH, IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR TOWN STAFF? WE'LL, WE'LL RESERVE THE RIGHT TO QUESTION AFTER WE HEAR THE PUBLIC'S COMMENT.
UH, WOULD THE APPLICANT LIKE TO, EXCUSE ME, WOULD THE APPLICANT LIKE TO SPEAK? GOOD EVENING.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE WARREN COALITION.
MY HOME ADDRESS IS 35 HUNTERS RIDGE ROAD, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA 2262.
AND YES, I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO COMMENT.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING.
UH, WE ARE LOOKING TO OPEN A FACILITY AT 200 NORTH ROYAL FOR UP
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TO NINE ADULT MALE RESIDENTS.UM, WE WILL HAVE AN ONSITE LIVE-IN HOUSE MANAGER WHO IS ALSO A PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST.
WHILE WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN PROVIDE FOOD TO RESIDENTS, WE WILL NOT BE DOING THAT.
THEY HAVE ACCESS TO A FULLY PROVISIONED KITCHEN.
THEY WILL HAVE THEIR OWN ABILITY TO COOK, BUT WE ARE NOT GONNA BE PROVIDING ANY MEALS TO ANYONE IN THAT FACILITY.
I WANTED TO ASK THAT I, I MISSED, SORRY.
AND I WANTED TO STRESS THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE PROVIDING FOOD.
I AM NOT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, NOR DO I WANNA WAIT IN THAT WATER.
UM, PEOPLE COMING TO THIS PROGRAM WILL COME IN ONE OF A COUPLE OF WAYS.
THEY HAVE TO BE AN ACTIVE RECOVERY.
WE DO NOT HAVE MEDICAL PEOPLE ON SITE.
PEOPLE COMING TO US WILL HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN EITHER INPATIENT OR OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.
UM, COMING ON REFERRAL TO US, WHICH WE WILL VERIFY.
WE'RE NOT JUST GONNA TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT.
UM, PRESUMABLY THERE WILL BE A REFERRAL PAPER THAT COMES WITH THEM THAT INDICATES THEY ARE IN TREATMENT OF SOME SORT.
UH, WE WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE THAT.
ONCE THEY'RE IN THE HOUSE, THEY WILL BE ASSIGNED A PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST.
SO THEY HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S WORKING WITH THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS.
WE INTEND TO HAVE MEETINGS, PSYCHOSOCIAL EDUCATION.
THERE IS A CURRICULUM CALLED R ONE, WHICH IS A CURRICULUM THAT WE'VE INVESTED IN THAT MOVES THROUGH MULTIPLE AREAS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO FIND RECOVERY NEED TO ADDRESS, UH, MIGHT BE STAGES OF CHANGE OR IT MIGHT BE FINDING A JOB OR THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
WE WILL PROVIDE HELP FOR THEM TO FIND A JOB IF THEY WANNA GO TO SCHOOL, WILL PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT AS WELL.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THINGS LIKE IF THEY NEED WORK BOOTS TO GO TO A JOB, WE HAVE MONEY.
WE'LL MAKE SURE THEY CAN BE ACTIVELY EMPLOYED AND HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO HAVE A JOB.
UM, WE'RE ANTICIPATING IF THEY FOLLOW THE RULES THAT THEY WILL STAY SIX TO NINE MONTHS.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THEM BASED ON WHAT THEY OWE IN COURT, FINES, CHILD SUPPORT, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
UM, HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS PLAN.
THAT'LL BE SOMETHING THAT THEY AGREED TO IN THE BEGINNING.
WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO SAVE SOME MONEY IF THEY OWE FINES, IF THEY OWE CHILD SUPPORT, THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF THOSE THINGS.
IF THEY'RE UNDER SOME SORT OF LEGAL CONSTRAINT THAT THEY'RE DOING WITH THE, THE LAW HAS ASKED THEM TO DO, UH, WE WILL REGULARLY DRUG TEST.
UH, A POSITIVE TEST WILL BE MEANS FOR IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL.
UM, THEY ARE WELCOME TO COME BACK ONCE THEY'VE GONE BACK TO TREATMENT.
THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'VE FOUND THEIR FEET, BUT WE'RE NOT GONNA LET ANYONE ELSE BE SICK IF SOMEONE ELSE RELAPSES.
UM, THEY JUST, THEY HAVE TO GO.
SO, UH, WE'RE TAKING THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.
WE ARE INVOLVED WITH A COMPANY CALLED THE FLETCHER GROUP, WHO'S BEEN GIVING US TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
THEY RUN MULTIPLE, UH, RECOVERY RESIDENCES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND, UM, HAVE BEEN GIVING US VERY GOOD SUPPORT ABOUT THINGS TO DO AND THINGS TO NOT DO.
THIS IS THE FIRST HOUSE WE'VE EVER HAD.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE LEADS FROM PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
UM, WE WILL NOT ALLOW SEX OFFENDERS IN THIS HOUSE.
WE DO WANT THE DADS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN AND COME ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, YOU KNOW, IF THEY WANNA PLAY IN THE YARD OR DAD WANTS TO MAKE SOME BURGERS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND OBVIOUSLY, UM, HAVING A SEX OFFENDER ON THE PREMISES VIOLATES THEIR PROBATION, BUT ALSO PUTS CHILDREN AT RISK.
SO WE WILL NOT ALLOW SEX OFFENDERS.
UH, LET ME SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE.
UH, DEFINITELY WE PLAN TO HAVE NAA A MEETINGS IN THE HOUSE AND PEOPLE DO HAVE TO HAVE A JOB.
THEY WILL BE REQUIRED, AS I SAID, WE'LL HELP THEM FIND IT, BUT WE EXPECT THEM TO BE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED.
THEY WILL PAY FOR INDIVIDUAL LODGING, UM, IN THE FACILITY.
UM, WE DID, UH, COMMISSION THE SURVEY, AND SO WE KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOTTA BE ADDRESSED WITH THE LANDLORD BEFORE WE CAN HAVE TENDENCY THERE.
ANY QUESTIONS? OR WE CAN WAIT TILL AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING TO ASK QUESTIONS IF WE WISH.
WE WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
UH, MICHELLE SMELTZER, OUR FIRST SPEAKER.
HI, MY NAME IS MICHELLE SELZER AND, AND I LIVE AT SIX MORAN STREET FRONT, ROYAL VIRGINIA, 20 2006 30.
UM, I AM NOT PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT, BUT I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH IT.
AND, AND WITH THE WARREN COALITION, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.
AND I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER ORGANIZATION OR PERSON, AS IN KRISTA TO HEAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS UP.
UM, THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF GREAT WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS, AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY NEEDED, UM, WITH THE DRUG COURT COMING SOON, HOPEFULLY THIS WILL FIT RIGHT IN WITH
[00:15:01]
WHAT THAT PROGRAM IS GOING TO OFFER.AND, UM, AND WE NEED SOMEWHERE FOR THESE FOLKS TO GO.
YOU KNOW, WE WORK, I WORK WITH THEM EVERY DAY.
AND, UH, IF THEY HAVE SOMEWHERE THAT THEY CAN GO THAT'S SAFE AND THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY, I THINK THAT'S, THAT'S A WIN FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
SO I HOPE YOU VOTE TO APPROVE THIS.
I HOPE I PRONOUNCED THAT CORRECTLY, SARAH.
MY NAME'S PHIL SLAKA AND I LIVE AT THE PROPERTY DIRECTLY BEHIND AND TO THE RIGHT OF 200 NORTH ROYAL.
UH, MY ADDRESS IS TWO 11 VIRGINIA AVENUE.
UM, WHILE THESE OTHER SPEAKERS DON'T LIVE DIRECTLY HERE, I CAN TELL YOU THAT IN THIS SPECIFIC, UH, BLOCK OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE ALREADY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DRUG RELATED ISSUES, UM, ON, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF VIRGINIA AVENUE, I PERSONALLY, IN MY YARD, AM CONSTANTLY FINDING CELLOPHANE WRAPPERS.
I'VE WATCHED DRUG DEALS ON MY SECURITY CAMERAS TAKE PLACE, UM, COUNTLESS TIMES.
I, UM, AM CONSTANTLY FINDING BROKEN BEER BOTTLES IN MY YARD, IN MY MULCH THAT I HAVE TO PICK UP.
WHEN I'VE ASKED THESE, UM, PEOPLE THAT LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM US TO PLEASE WALK AROUND OUR PROPERTY, WHICH WOULD ACTUALLY GO DIRECTLY ACROSS, UH, THIS HOUSE.
I'VE BEEN CURSED OUT IN FRONT OF MY THREE YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE OF FOUR.
WHEN I CALLED THE POLICE TO ASK FOR HELP AND ASKED FOR ADVICE ON WHAT I SHOULD DO, THEY TOLD ME TO BUILD A FENCE.
UM, I HAVE FOUND A KNIFE ON THE BACK, ON THE DECK OUTSIDE MY OLDEST DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM WINDOW.
THERE'S CONSTANTLY, UH, HORNS BLASTING THROUGH THE NIGHT WHEN THE POLICE ARE CALLED.
THEY'VE BEEN TOLD, WE'VE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, AND THEY'RE ALLOWED TO STAY THERE FOR 10 DAYS BEFORE THEY CAN DO ANYTHING.
WE'VE HAD FIREWORKS SHOT AT OUR HOUSE.
WE'VE HAD, UM, THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE STREET RENT ROOMS FOR VERY LIMITED TIME PERIODS FOR CHEAP, UM, RATES, AND THEY'RE CONSTANTLY IN AND OUT.
WHEN I EMAILED WITH CHIEFS OF, UM, THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL, HIS RESPONSE TO ME WAS, I FORWARDED THE INFORMATION TO BOTH OUR DRUG UNIT AND PATROL AS WELL.
THEY'LL PROVIDE SOME MORE ATTENTION TO THAT RESIDENCE.
IT'S OWNED BY ONE OF OUR MORE PROBLEMATIC LANDLORDS.
WE CART OFF THE PROBLEMS AND THEN THEY'RE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY REPLACED, BUT WE'LL DO OUR BEST.
UM, AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THERE'S NOT MUCH THE TOWN CAN DO TO HELP US WITH OUR SITUATION.
AND IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, ADDING A, UM, RECOVERY FACILITY DIRECTLY BEHIND, UM, A HOUSE THAT ALREADY HAS SIGNIFICANT DRUG PROBLEMS. FOR INSTANCE, WE'VE WATCHED, UH, MY DAUGHTERS WATCHED AS A, UM, SOMEONE ON METH WAS CLIMBING ON TOP OF POLICE CARS, NEIGHBORS CARS, DAMAGING CARS.
AND THERE WAS NOTHING THE POLICE COULD DO CUZ IT WAS RIGHT AFTER THE GEORGE FLOYD INCIDENT.
AND, UM, IT WAS TRAUMATIZING FOR MY WIFE AND I.
UM, BUT WE DO LOVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THERE'S TONS OF YOUNG FAMILIES CLOSE BY.
UH, WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS, BUT WE HAVE A CURRENT PROBLEM HERE AND I DON'T THINK THAT THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP THAT PROBLEM.
NEXT SPEAKER, RUSTY SOUTHERLY.
I LIVE AT, UH, 6 28 WATSON AVENUE, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA 20 2601.
UM, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH FOR THE WARRANT COLLISION.
UM, AS A PERSON IN ACTIVE OF RECOVERY, UH, I GOT OUT OF, UH, UH, JAIL AND THAT'S WHERE I MISSED.
I MET MS. TRISTA SHIFFLET AND I TOOK HER DRUG PROGRAM WHILE IN JAIL.
AND WHAT I LEARNED IN HER PROGRAM CHANGED MY LIFE.
UM, SINCE I'VE BEEN OUT, UM, WHILE I GOT MY JOB, I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK.
UM, JAMES FUNKHOUSER AND, AND MIKEY HALL, UH, WOUND UP COMING TO TAKE ME TO WORK FROM, YOU KNOW, WHERE THEY LIVE IN SHANDOR COUNTY, COMING ALL THE WAY TO WINCHESTER TO TAKE ME WORK, YOU KNOW, UM, THE WARRANT COLLISION BOUGHT MY STEEL TOE BOOTS TO GO TO WORK CUZ I NEEDED STEEL TOE BOOTS WHERE I WAS WORKING AT.
UM, I'VE LIVED OVER HERE IN FRONT ROW.
UM, I REALLY FEEL LIKE A RECOVERY CENTER OVER HERE
[00:20:02]
WOULD BE AWESOME.UH, WINCHESTER'S GOT PLENTY OF THEM AND I THINK WARREN COUNTY REALLY NEEDS, NEEDS, WHAT SHE'S TRYING TO PUT IN EFFECT, UH, I WOULD DEFINITELY, I WOULD DEFINITELY LIVE THERE.
I WOULD DEFINITELY TRY TO GET IN THERE AND LIVE THERE AS A PERSON.
IN ACT OF RECOVERY, WHAT I'VE SEEN IS THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE USING AND THE DEALING, THEY TRY TO, I MEAN, ONCE THEY KNOW THAT YOU'RE IN ACTIVE RECOVERY, THEY STAY AWAY FROM YOU.
SO THIS, THIS GUY'S SAYING THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S DRUG DEALING AND STUFF IN THAT AREA, I SEE NOTHING POSITIVE FOR PEOPLE IN RECOVERY.
I GO TO AA MEETINGS, THE NA MEETINGS EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK, AND I MEAN, IT'S JUST LIKE A BIG FAMILY AND THEY, THEY, THEY WELCOMED YOU WITH OPEN ARMS, YOU KNOW, AND, UM, THAT'S WHAT THE WAR AND COLLISION DOES TOO.
SO I THINK FRONT ROYAL REALLY NEEDS, REALLY NEEDS THIS, UH, THIS PROGRAM HERE.
AND I THINK HE'LL DO A LOT, LOT OF GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK HE'LL SEE IF, IF AND WHEN THIS PLACE OPENS, HE'LL SEE A LOT OF CHANGES IN THE AREA.
I'M FROM 5 47 WASHINGTON STREET, WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA, UH, 22 8 6 64.
UM, I'M A PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST WITH THE WARREN COALITION.
CURRENTLY, YOU KNOW, WHEN I, WHEN I GOT OUT AND GOT INVOLVED IN RECOVERY, YOU KNOW, I HAD TO SEEK TREATMENT THREE HOURS AWAY AND SOBER LIVING.
I STAYED IN A HOUSE JUST LIKE WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO START FOR SIX MONTHS IN RICHMOND IN ORDER TO, AND, YOU KNOW, GET MY RECOVERY STARTED BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING HERE OR EVEN CLOSE TO WHERE I LIVE IN SHANDO COUNTY ANYWHERE.
FOR ME TO DO THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, FOR ME TO GET HELP IN TRANSITIONING BACK TO THE STREET AND LIVING A SOBER LIFE, I NEEDED THIS TYPE OF STABILITY THAT A RECOVERY HOUSE PROVIDES.
AND I HAD TO GO HOURS AND HOURS AWAY TO DO THAT.
YOU KNOW, I WAS ABLE TO DO IT, YOU KNOW, AND NOW COMING UP IN TWO WEEKS, LIKE I'LL BE CELEBRATING FOUR YEARS OF IN ACTIVE RECOVERY DUE TO MAKING THOSE THINGS, DOING THOSE THINGS, YOU KNOW, IT'S A HOUSE LIKE THIS IS DESIGNED ONLY TO HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING OUTTA TREATMENT THAT WANT TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES.
YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WE WANT TO TRY TO CATER TO.
YOU KNOW, I WORKED WITH PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY NOW AS A PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST.
YOU KNOW, IN THE PAST YEAR I THINK I'VE SENT APPROXIMATELY 40 PEOPLE EITHER TO TREATMENT OR TO RECOVERY HOUSES LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW, AND EVERY PLACE I HAVE TO SEND THESE PEOPLE ARE HOURS AND HOURS AWAY, YOU KNOW, AND THEN A LOT OF TIMES, LIKE WHERE THEY LACK IN, THEY'RE GETTING THE RECOVERY, BUT THEY'RE NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE SUPPORT FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND GET THEIR LIVES BACK TOGETHER.
AND THEN WHEN WE'RE BRINGING THEM BACK HOME AND THEY'RE READY TO COME HOME, WE DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO BRING 'EM TO WHERE THEY'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO GET THAT SUPPORT.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS HOUSE IS GONNA BE DESIGNED TO DO, SO THAT THEY CAN FURTHER THEIR RECOVERY AND HELP THEMSELVES GET WELL.
AND, UM, THAT'S OUR, THAT'S OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO HELP PEOPLE GET WELL.
HELLO, MY NAME'S CHRISTINE MAHONEY.
UM, MY HOME ADDRESS IS 7 0 5 WEST 11TH STREET, BUT I'M CURRENTLY HAVING TO LIVE IN WINCHESTER AT, UH, OXFORD HOUSE, UH, RECOVERY HOUSE.
UM, BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE THIS IN THIS AREA, I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN ALL UNDER THE AGE OF 15 THAT, YOU KNOW, I, LIKE JAMES WAS SAYING, HAD TO GO TO TREATMENT THREE HOURS AWAY.
I'VE HAD TO DO RECOVERY IN, YOU KNOW, THAT FAR AWAY FROM ALL MY KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND EIGHT MONTHS OLD.
SO, UM, I HAVE BEEN AN ACTIVE USER FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, THERE, THERE WAS NEVER ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAD I KNOWN THAT THERE WAS PLACES LIKE THIS OUT THERE, I MIGHT'VE GOT CLEAN A LOT SOONER, BUT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THAT AROUND HERE.
SO I WAS VERY UNAWARE THAT THERE WAS EVEN, THAT WAS EVEN EVER EVEN AN OPTION.
UM, DURING, I'VE BEEN IN OUR JAIL A LOT DURING MY STAYS.
UM, MS. CHRISTOS BROUGHT IN DIFFERENT CLASSES, UH, RE-ENTRY CLASSES,
[00:25:01]
DRUG AND ALCOHOL EDUCATION, AS WELL AS ANGER MANAGEMENT.UM, YOU KNOW, ALL THINGS THAT I UTILIZED IN THE BEGINNING BEFORE, YOU KNOW, RE-ENTERING INTO SOCIETY SO THAT I COULD START WORKING ON MYSELF.
UM, THE HELP THAT THEY'VE GIVEN ME IN SAVING MY LIFE IS INSURMOUNTABLE.
LIKE, I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE FROM HELPING ME WORK ON MYSELF TO HELPING ME WITH MY KIDS, TO HELPING ME GET A JOB, TO, UM, HELPING ME GET TO MEETINGS, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING.
UM, IT'S A GREAT COMP, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GREAT NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND I DEFINITELY THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED IN THIS AREA, CUZ THE WAY I SEE IT, WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE THOSE ACTIVE DRUG USERS THAT THEY'RE BEING MENTIONED? OR WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN RECOVERY AND WANT BETTER LIVING IN YOUR COMMUNITY? THANKS.
MY ADDRESS IS FOUR 13 WEST SPRING STREET, WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA, 22 2 22 6 64.
SO I AM A PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST AS WELL WITH THE WARREN COALITION.
AND I WILL ACTUALLY BE THE HOUSE MANAGER WHEN IT OPENS.
UH, I TOO AM IN ACTIVE RECOVERY.
I HAVE ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF NOW, AND IT WAS JUST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO THAT MY LIFE SEEMED HOPELESS AND I WAS DOING THINGS THAT I COMPLETELY REGRET AND I WAS NOT THE PERSON THAT I WANTED TO BE, BUT I WENT TO A WONDERFUL PLACE CALLED THE PHOENIX HOUSE.
AND WHILE THERE, I GOT THE TREATMENT THAT I NEEDED AND ABILITY TO GET MY MIND STRAIGHT.
AND I MET A WONDERFUL COUNSELOR THERE WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO BECOME A PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT THAT I SAW THAT I WOULD LOVE TO HELP PEOPLE.
AND WHEN I GOT HOME, I MET JAMES AND HE INTRODUCED ME TO MS. KRISTA AND THE COALITION WAS KIND ENOUGH TO PAY FOR ME TO TAKE MY PEER RECOVERY CLASS.
AND, UH, NOW THEY'RE WONDERFUL ENOUGH TO EMPLOY ME.
AND I THINK THINGS LIKE THAT ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE WILL STILL OFFER THAT TO SOME PEOPLE.
AND THE THING IS, IS MOST OF US ADDICTS, WHAT WE NEED MOST IS HOPE LIKE, AND WHEN WE GET HOME, WHAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF HOPE.
YOU HAVE IT WHEN YOU FIRST LEAVE, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO WITH SUPPORT AND LOVE, LIKE I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH, MY MOTHER TOOK ME BACK IN TO GIVE ME A STABLE, SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO GO TO AND LET ME, AND ALLOW ME TO HELP REBUILD MY LIFE.
BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION.
LIKE THIS HOUSE WILL GIVE PEOPLE A GOOD, SAFE ENVIRONMENT WITH HELPFUL HUMAN BEINGS THAT HAVE BEEN WHERE THEY'VE BEEN LIKE, I'VE BEEN IN THEIR SAME SHOES, I'VE WANTED RECOVERY AND I'VE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GET IT.
AND ONCE I GOT IT, I KEPT RUNNING WITH IT.
BUT IT WAS THROUGH THE HELP OF PEOPLE LIKE THE COALITION AND NA AND COUNSELORS, WHICH WE WILL ALSO BE OFF OFFERING COUNSELING.
LIKE WITHOUT THOSE THINGS, I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD BE HERE TODAY STILL.
LIKE, BUT IT IS, YOU NEED THAT HOPE, YOU NEED THAT SUPPORT.
AND WITHOUT IT LIKE IT, IT DOESN'T USUALLY END UP WELL FOR A LOT OF US, UNFORTUNATELY.
AND THAT'S, LIKE I SAID, THAT'S WHAT THIS HOUSE WILL PROVIDE.
LIKE WE HAVE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A STRUCTURE.
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE HOUSE CHORES TO DO, LIKE WE SAID, THEY'RE GONNA PAY THEIR RENT, THEY'RE GONNA GO TO WORK.
I'LL DRUG TEST THEM RANDOMLY ONCE A WEEK.
LIKE I'LL HELP THEM GET TO MEETINGS.
I HAVE A CAR IN MY LICENSE, I WILL TAKE THEM TO NA MEETINGS.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE NA MEETINGS IN THE HOUSE AS WELL.
AND I MEAN, WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE THEM STABILITY FOR MAYBE THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIFE IN A LONG TIME.
AND I THINK THAT ONCE THEY GET THAT STABILITY, THEY CAN GO BACK OUT AND THEY'LL BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
I KNOW IT BECAUSE I'VE SEEN IT EVERY DAY THAT I WALK IN TO NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS AND I WORK WITH OTHER ADDICTS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN RECOVERY.
I SEE THAT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE SUPPORT AND HELP AND LOVE, THAT THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY WANNA DO WITH THEIR LIFE AND BE THE PEOPLE THAT EVERYBODY WANTS THEM TO BE.
BUT THEY HAVE TO HAVE THAT SECOND CHANCE.
AND THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE SAY OUR COUNTRY'S BUILT ON.
BUT IT'S HARD TO GET THAT SECOND CHANCE WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOOKING DOWN ON YOU.
BUT WE HAVE A GREAT GUY THAT WORKS FOR US THAT HELPS THEM FIND JOBS REGARDLESS OF THEIR RECORD AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.
AND WE KNOW PEOPLE THAT WILL GIVE US A CHANCE.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT THIS HOUSE IS GONNA PROVIDE AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY WILL BE A LOT BETTER FOR IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ALL'S TIME.
MR. BRANDON BUTLER WILL BE OUR NEXT PUBLIC SPEAKER.
[00:30:05]
GOOD EVENING.I RESIDE AT 1972 ARTS ROAD, WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA, 20 2006 64.
UM, I HAVE YOUR SON, YOUR BROTHER, YOUR NEPHEW.
I DON'T KNOW OF MANY FAMILIES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN AFFECTED BY ADDICTION OR ALCOHOLISM IN SOME WAY OR FORM.
UM, OUR PROBLEM IS CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS.
I WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH TWO OF THE, UH, PEER RECOVERY SPECIALISTS OUT OF, UH, WARREN COALITION.
AND I CAN'T BEGIN TO SHOW MY GRATITUDE FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE IN MY LIFE IN SUCH A VERY SHORT TIME.
UM, THEY'VE GIVEN ME, OPENED MY MIND, MY HEART UP TO SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES, UM, ALLOWED ME TO SHARE THINGS WITH THEM.
AND THEY, THEY, THEY ARE DEDICATING THEIR WORKING CAREERS RIGHT NOW TO PEOPLE WITH STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION AND HELPING THEM GET INTO RECOVERY AND LEARN WHAT IT IS.
UM, I LIVED ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY AND THERE ARE NOT MANY TOWNS THAT ARE EXCLUDED FROM HAVING A SIGNIFICANT DRUG PROBLEM.
THAT'S, IT'S EVIDENT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE NEED SOMEWHERE TO GO TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A SENSE OF SELF-WORTH TO, TO, TO RESTORE OUR CONFIDENCE IN OURSELVES.
AND WE PAY OUR DUES AND THEN WE NEED TO LEARN A NEW WAY TO LIVE.
AND THAT'S WHAT A HOUSE LIKE THIS DOES.
AND FROM MY EXPERIENCE, I'VE BEEN AN ADDICT FOREVER, 20 YEARS OF MY LIFE.
YOU PUT A RECOVERY HOUSE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, IT KIND OF PUSHES AWAY THE, THE, THE ELEMENTS IF THEY'RE THERE BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO TALK TO AN EX ADDICT WHO'S IN RECOVERY IF THEY'RE CURRENTLY USING.
CUZ YOU DON'T WANNA REALLY HEAR ANYTHING THEY HAVE TO SAY.
IS SHE, UM, IS SHE GONNA SPEAK ALSO? YES.
WHAT, UH, STEVE BEAKER LIVE AT TWO 16 NORTH ROYAL AVENUE.
UM, RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE BUILDING.
UH, I HAVE TO AGREE WITH WHAT MR. PHIL HAD SAID EARLIER.
UH, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS AROUND HERE.
UH, AS FAR AS THE YELLOW HOUSE AROUND US, WE HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TRY TO GET SOMEBODY TO COME OUT AND ACTUALLY NEXT DOOR AT THE BANK WHERE THERE WAS DRUG DEALS MADE, UM, NOTHING WAS TAKEN CARE OF.
UM, I WANTED, I AM IN A COMMERCIAL ZONE.
I HAVE TO FOLLOW CERTAIN, UM, CRITERIA IN ORDER FOR ME TO PUT A FENCE UP.
I FELT THAT I WAS ABLE TO PUT 10 FOOT UP.
UM, I DO THAT TO BLOCK IT FROM MY KIDS.
SEEING THAT DRUG DEALS NEXT DOOR, I FOUND NEEDLES IN MY YARD.
UM, I LIVED THERE WHEN, UH, THERE WAS A MENTALLY CHALLENGED HOME OVER THERE.
I BELIEVE WE DID HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THESE GUYS, UM, COMING OUT, UH, BLURTING OUT FOUL LANGUAGE WHILE MY KIDS WERE OUTSIDE.
UH, WE DID MAKE SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S WHY THEY MOVED FROM THERE.
UM, I DO WANNA APPLAUD THESE GUYS FOR, UM, GOING INTO RECOVERY.
UH, BUT ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE.
UH, IF THEY ARE GOING IN THERE AND GOD FORBID THEY RELAPSE, THEN WHAT KIDS ARE AROUND THERE.
UH, THE BUILDING'S ALSO IN A DRUG-FREE ZONE, SCHOOL ZONE.
SO I DON'T BELIEVE THIS WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR OUR TOWN.
UH, WE MOVED HERE BECAUSE OF WHAT THIS TOWN, UH, GIVES TO US AND OFFERS US.
UH, I REALLY WOULD HATE TO MOVE IF THIS WAS TO COME THROUGH.
[00:35:02]
OKAY.UM, SHOULD I SAY WHERE I LIVE, TWO 16 NORTH ROYAL AVENUE, RIGHT NEXT TO, UM, MY CONCERNS ARE THE FACT THAT IT, THE PROGRAM SEEMS TO BE VERY GOOD, BUT IT'S NOT, UH, THERE'S NOT MUCH EXPERIENCE.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WITH THE MANAGER WHO WOULD BE THERE, THEY DON'T, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE'S GOING TO, THEY HAVE THE, WHAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE.
UM, MY ALSO WORRIES IS, UM, THE FAMILIES THAT WILL COME TO VISIT THE, UH, THE PEOPLE THAT WILL BE LIVING THERE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ONLY A PROBLEM FOR THE ADDICTS, IT'S ALSO A FAMILY PRO, UH, PROBLEM THAT THEY TEND TO HAVE.
I, MY FAMILY HAS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HELP ADDICTS IN THE PAST AND UNFORTUNATELY WE WEREN'T SUCCESSFUL.
SO WE FOCUSED ON HELPING THEIR CHILDREN.
AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD TO CUT THE COMPLETELY THE FRI THE CHILDREN AS WELL BECAUSE OF THE, UH, OF, OF WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN.
AND THEY HAVE LIVED BECAUSE OF THE ADDICTION AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS OF THEIR PARENTS.
AND THAT WAS, THAT'S GETS THROUGH OUR CHILDREN.
SO MY WORRY IS THE FACT THAT THIS IS NEW.
I MEAN, I SEE THAT IT'S A GOOD, IT COULD BE A GOOD PROGRAM FOR, FOR THEM, BUT IT'S ALSO NEW.
THERE'S NO, UH, EXPERIENCE AND THERE'S NO BACKUP TO SEE THAT.
IT WAS ACTUALLY, UM, WHAT'S THE WORD I'M LOOKING FOR? SUCCESSFUL.
SO IT'S SOMETHING NEW COMING IN.
WE CAN'T REALLY SAY THAT IT'S GOING TO WORK.
THAT WAS OUR LAST SPEAKER THAT SIGNED UP.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS MATTER? SECOND CALL FOR ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? YES, I WOULD COME FORWARD PLEASE PLACE.
MY NAME IS YVONNE ROTOR AND I LIVE AT 14 0 3 MACEDONIA CHURCH ROAD IN STEPHEN CITY, VIRGINIA.
AND I, UH, COULD YOU PUT THE MICRO I DO, UH, COULD YOU PUT THE MICROPHONE CLOSE TO YOURSELF? I'M, I'M SHORT
I KNOW, BUT I DO A RECOVERY CLASS OUT AT, UM, RS W I GO EVERY WEEK.
AND I'VE BEEN GOING OUT THERE FOR NINE YEARS.
I'VE NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING MS. KRISTA, BUT I HEAR A LOT ABOUT MS. KRISTA AND SHE'S MADE A LOT OF IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE OUT THERE AND CLEARLY IN THIS COMMUNITY.
UM, I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE ISSUES WITH THE, WITH THE GIRLS.
I DO THE, UH, WOMEN'S CLASS IS THAT THEY CAN GET THEMSELVES MENTALLY IN A BETTER PLACE, BUT THEY ALWAYS HAVE A FEAR.
THEIR NUMBER ONE FEAR IS HAVING TO GO BACK TO THE PLACE THAT IS NOT SAFE FOR THEM.
THEY DON'T HAVE SAFE PLACES TO GO.
AND IT'S LIKE JAMES SAID, YOU HAVE TO GO, UM, HOURS AWAY AND IT'S KIND OF HARD AS YOU, AS YOU PART OF RECOVERY, UM, TO BE SUCCESSFUL IS INCORPORATING FAMILY, YOUR CHILDREN AND STUFF IN THAT LATER ON.
AND IT IS A PROBLEM SOMETIMES WHEN YOU'RE HOURS AWAY.
BUT I THINK THAT THE HOUSE WOULD BE, UH, VERY SUCCESSFUL.
I I KNOW THAT THERE IS, UM, A LOT OF, UH, EXPERIENCE THAT MS. KRISTA HAS AND THE PEOPLE THAT WILL BE OVERSEEING THIS.
AND IT'S NOT IF THERE'S A PROBLEM, IF A PROBLEM COMES UP, IT'S DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY AND IT'S JUST NIPPED IN THE BUD, SO TO SPEAK.
SO IT IS NOT LIKE IT WOULD BE AN ONGOING THING.
IT WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY.
SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE, UM, CAN ONLY REMAIN SUCCESSFUL WHEN, UH, EVERYTHING'S IN ORDER IN THE HOUSE.
SO I, UM, HOPE THAT THAT HAPPENED AND THAT LATER THERE CAN EVEN HAVE WOMEN, A PLACE FOR THE WOMEN TO BE SAFE AT.
UH, COULD YOU DO SOMETHING FOR ME, MA'AM? COULD YOU PUT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS ON THIS FORM? UH, MS. POTTER HAS AN INK PEN.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? ANYONE ELSE? SECOND CALL.
SEEING NO ONE COMING FORWARD, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC
[00:40:01]
HEARING.UH, FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT OR STAFF? MR. WAGONS? MR. COMMISSIONER, I WANTED TO ASK, UM, MS. SHIFFLET, IF YOU'LL COME TO THE PODIUM PLEASE.
YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WOULD COME WITH REFERRALS AND THEY WOULDN'T JUST BE SHOWING UP.
WHO OR WHAT ENTITY WOULD THOSE REFERRALS BE COMING FROM? SO THEY WOULD BE COMING FROM TREATMENT AGENCIES.
SO NATIONAL CAPITAL REHAB IS WHEN WE TAKE PEOPLE TO FREQUENTLY, IT'S DOWN IN FAIRFAX COUNTY AREA.
UH, WE SEND PEOPLE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO PYRAMID IN NEWPORT NEWS FOR TREATMENT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
UM, TRC, WHICH IS, WE, THEY WOULDN'T REFER TO US RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE A FEMALE GROUP IN WINCHESTER.
WE SEND THE FEMALES THERE, THE WAR FOUNDATION IN RICHMOND, MCIN FOUNDATION IN RICHMOND.
UH, WE'RE SEND THEM DOWN TO, WE JUST GOT ONE IN FROM GALAX, UM, THAT ARE LOCAL PEOPLE THAT ARE IN TREATMENT THAT FAR AWAY.
UH, BECAUSE INPATIENT JUST DOESN'T EXIST CLOSE.
WE DO SEND PEOPLE TO INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT.
THEY HAVE A COUPLE OF THOSE GROUPS IN WINCHESTER MM-HMM.
SO WE WOULD GET REFERRALS FROM THEM IF THEY HAD THEM COMING BACK THAT DIRECTION.
UM, AND OTHER PLACES THAT THEY KNOW.
BUT WE ARE REALLY, WE CANNOT LEGALLY TELL PEOPLE IF THEY'RE FROM FAIRFAX THAT THEY CAN'T COME TO THE HOUSE.
BUT WE ARE REALLY PUSHING THIS FOR PEOPLE FROM WARREN PAGE AND SHENANDOAH, THE LOWER PART OF THE PLANNING DISTRICT THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY HOUSING.
UM, WE, WE ARE CURRENTLY SPENDING MONEY TO PUT PEOPLE IN OXFORD HOUSES UP IN WINCHESTER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY PLACE FOR THEM TO GO.
SO WE ARE COVERING, UH, THE DEPOSIT IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS RENT FOR FOLKS WHO ARE FROM HERE, UM, TO PUT THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THEN HOPE THEY FIND JOBS.
BUT AGAIN, THEY'RE AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES, THEY'RE AWAY FROM THEIR CHILDREN.
THEY DON'T HAVE, A LOT OF TIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DRIVE.
RUSTY WAS DESCRIBING, YOU KNOW, WE'RE RUNNING 'EM BACK AND FORTH TO WORK IN WINCHESTER BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE PUT HIM IN HOUSING.
UM, AND THAT'S WHERE HE GOT A JOB.
SO, YOU KNOW, THAT ISN'T SUSTAINABLE OVER THE LONG TERM.
UM, THE OTHER THING THAT JUST IS SOMETHING FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER IS MY UNDERSTANDING, DRUG COURT IS COMING HERE THE BEGINNING OF JULY.
AND PART OF DRUG COURT, AT LEAST FROM WINCHESTER, IS THAT THEY DO HAVE HOUSING AND THEY DO HAVE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FOLKS THAT THEY REFER TO DRUG COURT.
UM, AND THEY WANT PLACES FOR THEM TO LIVE.
SO THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
ERIN DOOLEY, WHO'S THE COORDINATOR, I'VE REACHED OUT TO HER FOR THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR HOUSING FOR THE FOLKS IN THE DRUG COURT.
AND, UM, WE'D LIKE TO OFFER THAT STABILITY TO THEM ONCE THEY ARE, WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU IS STABLE.
WE ARE NOT GONNA TAKE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNSTABLE.
AND I REALIZE THIS IS A RELAPSING ILLNESS.
WE WILL, IF THEY TEST POSITIVE FOR A SUBSTANCE, THAT'S THE WAY TO MAKE A HOUSE COLLAPSE.
THEY HAVE TO GO, THEY CANNOT STAY.
AND THAT IS JUST, THAT IS JUST THAT THEY CANNOT STAY.
WE WILL TRY TO GET 'EM INTO TREATMENT IF THEY'RE WILLING TO GO AND HELP 'EM FIND THEIR FEET AGAIN.
UM, BUT WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE AS WELL AS THEY'RE WILLING TO BE.
AND IF THEY'RE NOT WILLING, I'M NOT IN CHARGE OF THAT, UNFORTUNATELY.
UM, BUT WE, AND WE HAVE DRUGS IN THE HOUSE.
I ASSURE YOU WE WILL CALL THE POLICE.
I ASSURE YOU WE WILL ASK THEM TO BE CHARGED.
AND THE WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE FRONT ROYAL PD ARE MEMBERS OF THE COALITION.
UM, AND WE WORKED ACTIVELY WITH BOTH OF THOSE AGENCIES AS WELL AS THE DRUG TASK FORCE.
SO I'M NOT ABOUT DRUGS IN WARREN COUNTY.
I'VE BEEN DOING DRUG PREVENTION FOR 23 YEARS.
FOLKS, I AM NOT INTERESTED IN DRUGS.
I AM INTERESTED IN P PEOPLE BEING WELL, AND IN NO WAY WILL WE SPONSOR DRUG USE IN THAT HOUSE.
THAT IS, THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
UM, WILL CHILDREN BE LIVING ON THESE PREMISES? NO, SIR.
WILL THE RESIDENTS RECEIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES? YES, SIR.
IF THEY NEED THAT, AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THEY'RE GETTING THEIR MENTAL HEALTH MEDICATIONS AND, AND WHO ARE THEY RECEIVING THOSE SERVICES FROM? WHEREVER WE CAN GET THEM IN.
AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY HAVE TO GO TO WINCHESTER TO GET 'EM.
AND, AND I KNOW IT'S CHALLENGING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I MEAN, NORTHWESTERN, THE WAIT RIGHT NOW IS SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS.
GENERALLY, WE DON'T DO STUFF WITH NORTHWESTERN BECAUSE IT TAKES SO LONG TO GET IN.
SO WE DEAL WITH OTHER AGENCIES, BUT THEY'RE IN WINCHESTER.
THEY'RE, WE DON'T HAVE IT HERE.
CAN CAN YOU ADDRESS THE COMMENT ABOUT THE MANAGER NOT HAVING WHAT THEY NEED TO ADDRESS ISSUES? AND I JUST FOLLOWED UP WITH SAYING, WHAT AUTHORITY DOES THE MANAGER HAVE, WHAT CHECKS AND BALANCES ARE PLACED ON AND WITH THE MANAGER TO ENSURE THAT THE CONCERNS BROUGHT UP HERE ARE ADDRESSED? OKAY.
SO YOU WANT ME TO DO ONE AT A TIME? YES.
YOU MIGHT HAVE TO START AGAIN FROM THE BEGINNING.
[00:45:02]
I'M NOT SURE THAT THEY, WE'VE ESTABLISHED THEY DON'T HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO ADDRESS ISSUE.THEY HAVE FULL AUTHORITY TO TEST.
THEY HAVE FULL AUTHORITY TO CALL THE POLICE.
THEY HAVE FULL AUTHORITY TO THROW PEOPLE OUT.
SO IF SOMEONE CALLS YOU OR CALLS THE WARREN COALITION AND SAYS, HEY, THIS PERSON HERE, HERE'S A PHOTO.
THIS PERSON'S STUMBLING ALL OVER YOUR FRONT YARD.
AND I'M CONCERNED, DOES THE HOUSE MANAGER HAVE THE, HAVE THE AUTHORITY AT THAT POINT TO SAY, WE'RE GONNA BRING YOU IN HERE AND YOU'RE GONNA TEST RIGHT NOW? EXACTLY.
WHAT IF THAT PERSON REFUSES A CHEMICAL TEST? THEN THEY'LL BE OUT.
THEY'LL HAVE SIGNED SOMETHING THAT SAYS THEY'LL EITHER TAKE THE TEST OR THEY'LL BE EXPECTED TO LEAVE.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S PART OF THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT THAT YOU HAVE WITH THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE AT THE FACILITY? YES, SIR.
THERE ARE ALSO, UM, FOR SEARCH TOO, IF THERE'S A REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES, THEY WILL SIGN THAT THEY ARE SO IS THE COMMENT MADE SUBJECT TO SEARCH? IS THE COMMENT MADE IN YOUR, FORGIVE ME, I USED TO BE A COP.
IS THE COMMENT MADE IN YOUR, UM, CONTRACT THAT THERE IS NO EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY AT THIS FACILITY? YES.
WHAT CHECKS, FINALLY, WHAT CHECKS AND BALANCES ARE PLACED ON AND WITH THE MANAGER TO ENSURE THAT THE CONCERNS BROUGHT UP HERE AND THAT WILL BE BROUGHT UP IN THE FUTURE ARE ACTUALLY ADDRESSED? AND I, I, I BRING UP THAT QUESTION.
WELL, THERE WILL BE QUESTION, BECAUSE I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE HOUSE ON VIRGINIA AVENUE, AND WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TONIGHT FOR ME TO EXPRESS MY ANGST, UM, TO, I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE LIVED SITUATION IN THAT HOUSE ON VIRGINIA AVENUE OR THAT LANDLORD, BUT I, I'M GONNA TRY TO FOCUS HERE.
IF YOU COULD JUST ANSWER YEAH.
SO DEFINITELY THERE WOULD BE INCIDENT REPORTS.
UM, JAMES WHO SPOKE IS ALSO THE SUPERVISOR FOR THE HOUSE, UH, AND WHATEVER NEEDED TO HAPPEN.
SO SAY THERE WAS A FIGHT IN THE HOUSE, THEY HAD A, AN ASSAULT AND BATTERY.
WELL, WE'RE GONNA CALL THE POLICE.
AND WE WILL FILE POLICE REPORTS AND THE POLICE CAN SORT OUT WHO GETS CHARGED WITH WHAT.
UM, BUT WE'RE NOT PLAYING GAMES.
I WORKED IN THE JAIL FOR SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS.
UM, I DO NOT STRUGGLE ON THE CHEMICAL SIDE, BUT I'VE CERTAINLY HEARD FROM PEOPLE FOR A VERY LONG TIME ABOUT THE THINGS THAT GO ON IN THE CHEMICAL SIDE, THE TRICKS, THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN.
UM, AND I, I'M NOT PLAYING, I'M TRYING TO SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES.
IF THEY'RE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT HAVING THEIR LIFE SAVED, THAT'S, THAT'S THEIR DECISION.
BUT WE'RE NOT GONNA SPEND TIME ON PEOPLE WHO AREN'T INVESTING TIME IN THEMSELVES.
AND MY FINAL QUESTION IS, WILL THERE BE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS? OH, YES, SIR.
AROUND THE FACILITY AND OR WITHIN THE FACILITY? 36 CAMERAS, SIR.
THANK YOU MR. WILLIAMS. JUST STAY THERE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT OR STAFF? SHE ANSWERED MINE ANSWERED QUESTION.
MR. WILLIAMS? YOU DID A GOOD JOB ANSWERING EVERYBODY'S QUESTIONS.
CAN, CAN I JUST ADDRESS THE, THE GENTLEMAN WHO BROUGHT A CO A COMMENT AND, AND A CONCERN? UH, SURE.
AND, AND I TYPED THIS OUT SO THAT I HOPE IT MAKES SENSE AS FAR AS A CERTAIN HOUSE ON VIRGINIA AVENUE.
I DO NOT WANT TO COME ACROSS LIKE I'M PATRONIZING YOU, BUT I'VE LIVED IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 25 YEARS.
I USED TO BE AN ADMINISTRATOR AT RANDOLPH MACON ACADEMY, AND I HAVE BEEN A THORN IN THE SIDE OF CERTAIN LANDLORDS IN THIS TOWN AND TRYING TO GET THE TOWN TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE.
THE CHILDREN I SERVE DAILY AT E WILSON MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RESIDE AT THOSE RESIDENCES.
I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE LANDLORD YOU'RE REFERRING TO, AND LET'S JUST SAY YOU AND I ARE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH RESPECT TO THAT SITUATION.
UM, THAT'S ALL I CAN REALLY SAY RIGHT NOW.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE'S A GLIMMER OF HOPE IN THAT SITUATION, AND I'M CROSSING ALL APPENDAGES THAT THAT SITUATION IS DEALT WITH SOON.
UM, AND ONCE THIS SITUATION IS RESOLVED, THE ICET IS ON ME.
UH, IF TIME ALLOWS AFTER THIS MEETING, UM, I'D REALLY LIKE TO SPEAK WITH THE THREE OF YOU FURTHER IF YOU HAVE TIME, IF YOU DON'T, I UNDERSTAND.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? STAFF OR THE APPLICANT? UM, JOHN, I HAVE ONE QUESTION.
UM, WERE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE REVIEW OF THIS APPLICATION? WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
[00:50:03]
OKAY, MR. CHAIRMAN? WE DO HAVE.UH, BEFORE I MAKE THE MOTION, I JUST WANNA SAY, HAVING SAID WHAT I SAID, I, I VIEW THIS SITUATION DIFFERENTLY, GIVING THE CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT WE WERE ASSURED OF DURING OUR WORK SESSION WITH MY PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDIVIDUALS RUNNING THIS PROJECT AND MY CONFIDENCE THAT THIS PROJECT WILL BE A GOOD MOVEMENT TOWARDS DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, SOMETIMES IT COMES DOWN TO, IF NOT MY BACKYARD, WHO'S, AND I WOULD ASK THE COMMISSION TO RECOMMEND FORWARDING THE TOWN FOR APPROVAL.
SO OFFICIALLY, UH, I MOVE THAT WE, THAT WE FORWARD A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A LODGING HOUSE LOCATED AT 200 NORTH WORLD AVENUE, IDENTIFIED BY TAX MAP 2 0 20 A FIVE 13 DASH 180.
I RECOMMEND APPROVAL FOR, ON THIS ONE, I MOVE WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION FORWARD RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LODGING ROOMS ARE UNITS SHALL NOT EXCEED 10 APPLICANT TO PROVIDE PARKING TO ACCOMMODATE EIGHT SPACES.
SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? HEARING NONE WE'LL VOTE.
MS. POTTER, WILL YOU DO A ROLL CALL, PLEASE? COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS? YES.
WE WILL FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL TO TOWN COUNCIL.
THEY WILL ALSO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
UH, AND, UM, I WOULD ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU TO ATTEND THAT MEETING AND, AND REITERATE YOUR COMMENTS TO THAT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT THIS EVENING, AND, UH, HAVE A GOOD AFTERNOON.
WE HAVE NO OLD BUSINESS TO CONDUCT TONIGHT.
[XI. PLANNING DIRECTOR REPORT]
REPORT DIRECTOR LAUREN, IF YOU GIVE US A UPDATE YES.SO WE HAVE PROVIDED A REPORT FOR, UM, FEBRUARY OF 2023.
UM, TO DATE, WE HAVE HAD, UH, 57 ZONING PERMITS SUBMITTED.
AND WE'VE HAD 65 CODE ENFORCEMENT CASES THAT, UM, STAFF IS DEALING WITH AND ABOUT 33 BUSINESS LICENSES.
UM, UM, OUR I WORK SOFTWARE, WHICH IS HOW WE TRACK ALL OF OUR PERMITS, ACTUALLY HAS ADDITIONAL, UM, METRICS THAT WE JUST FOUND THE OTHER DAY.
SO, UH, YOUR REPORTS MAY LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT NEXT MONTH.
UM, I'D LIKE TO KIND OF ALSO INCLUDE SOME CHARTS THAT KINDA BREAK DOWN WHAT STAFF IS SPENDING THEIR TIME ON.
LIKE, FOR INSTANCE, 25% OF JOHN'S TIME, AT LEAST ACCORDING TO IWORKS, IS SPENT, UM, REVIEWING BUSINESS LICENSES.
SO I WILL, WE'LL START PROVIDING THAT INFORMATION MOVING FORWARD.
UM, BUT WE HAVE HAD, UH, WE HAD ONE BAR MEETING, UM, AND THAT WAS FOR A TWO-STORY EDITION AT, UM, FOUR 15 EAST MAIN STREET.
AND THEN A POSTPONED, UM, DECISION FOR A ROOF AT 3 0 1 EAST PROSPECT, WHERE A METAL ROOF WAS REPLACED WITH SHINGLE IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
UM, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I CAN TAKE THEM.
ANY QUESTIONS OF OUR DIRECTOR? UM, OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS THAT YOU BROUGHT UP? ARE YOU ALLOWED TO SAY IF ONE OF THOSE WAS ON VIRGINIA AVENUE? I'M PERMITTED, BUT I HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE HAD 'EM ON VIRGINIA AVENUE.
UM, SO WE, OUR DEPARTMENT HANDLES CODE ENFORCEMENT AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE.
AND YOU MAY BE GETTING MORE AT PROPERTY MAINTENANCE.
I DON'T THINK THAT WE'VE DONE ANY INSPECTIONS ON PROPERTY MAINTENANCE THERE.
UM, I, WE DON'T, I DON'T THINK WE'VE HAD ANY COMPLAINTS FOR US TO GO TO INITIATE A, UM, AN INSPECTION.
UM, BUT THE CODE ENFORCEMENT CASES RIGHT NOW, I JUST GAVE A PRESENTATION LAST WEEK.
THE BIGGEST CATEGORIES ARE THE TRASH AND DEBRIS AND THEN, UM, INOPERATIVE VEHICLES.
AND THEN AFTER THAT IT'S, UM, GOODNESS, MY MIND JUST WENT BLANK.
UH, I BELIEVE IT'S LIKE ZONING PERMITS.
SO, UM, YOU KNOW, JUST NOT HAVING THE PROPER PERMITS IN PLACE BEFORE THEY COMMENCE WORK.
SO WITH RESPECT TO THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED TONIGHT MM-HMM.
[00:55:01]
WE NEED A COMP, UH, THEY WOULD'VE TO FILE A COMPLAINT, A FORMAL COMPLAINT, UM, TO INITIATE THAT INSPECTION.
AND WOULD THEY FILE THAT COMPLAINT AT THE TOWN OFFICE? YES.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE DIRECTOR? UH, I DID OVERLOOK COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS.
IF THERE'S ANY REPORT THAT ANY MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT, UH, REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
ANY REPORTS? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADJOURNING MEETINGS SIGNIFIED BY SAYING AYE.
ALL OPPOSED? THE MOTION TO ADJOURN CARRIES.
WE WILL HAVE A WORK SESSION, UH, AND WE WILL START THAT, UH, WORK SESSION IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES.
SO LET'S TAKE A SHORT BREAK AND WE WILL GET BACK TO BUSINESS.
[PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSESSION]
WE'LL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.UM, MS. POTTER, LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT THE COMPLETE PLANNING COMMISSION IS HERE WITH STAFF TO DISPENSE WITH A FORMAL ROLL CALL.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA.
TOWN COUNCIL HAS REQUESTED THAT WE CONSIDER HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A CEMETERY TO BE LOCATED IN TOWN.
UM, BUT BEFORE WE CAN DISCUSS THAT, WE NEED TO ADD IT TO THE, UH, WORK SESSION AGENDA.
SO BASICALLY, IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION TO REVIEWING, UH, A PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR A CEMETERY IN THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL, WE WILL ADD IT, UH, AFTER THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON OUR WORK SESSION.
MR. CHAIRMAN, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? N NO.
CAN WE, CAN WE ADD IT BEFORE THE COMP PLAN SINCE THE FOLKS I CERTAINLY CAN.
IS THAT OKAY WITH? I WOULD AGREE TO THAT.
WE, WE MAY BE A WHILE ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
SO, UH, MS. POTTER, PLEASE NOTE THAT WE'VE AGREED TO AMEND OUR AGENDA TO DISCUSS A PROPOSED ORDINANCE, UH, FOR A CEMETERY, UH, TO BE DEVELOPED WITHIN THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, STAFF OR PLANNING DIRECTOR, CAN YOU, UH, UPDATE US ON THIS EVENT? YES.
UM, CURRENTLY THE ZONING ORDINANCE PERMITS, CEMETERIES ONLY IN THE A ONE ZONE, WHICH IS THE AGRICULTURAL ZONE.
UM, THE APPLICANT HERE IS REQUESTING A TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE R THREE ZONE TO PERMIT A CEMETERY TO BE LOCATED AT THE DYNAMIC LIFE CHURCH PROPERTY.
I BELIEVE IT'S APPROXIMATELY 17 ACRES IN SIZE.
UM, AND I I TH I'M PRETTY SURE THAT IT'S JUST FOR, UH, THE BURIAL OF, OF ONE PERSON.
UM, WHAT STAFF HAS DONE IS WE'VE PREPARED A REDLINED, UM, DOCUMENT, UH, FOR THE, UM, FOR CHAPTER 1 75 DASH UH, 30.
UM, AND THEN WE'VE ADDED A 30.2 AS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
SO WHAT THIS WE'LL DO IS ALLOW THE CEMETERY AS AN ACCESSORY USE TO CHURCHES IN THE R THREE DISTRICT AND THEN THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS OF 1 75, 30 0.2.
UM, WE'LL WILL REQUIRE THAT A MINIMUM LOT AREA FOR ANY CEMETERY WOULD NEED TO BE AT LEAST 10 ACRES IN SIZE THAT THE CEMETERY USES NEED TO BE SET BACK 150 FEET FROM ALL LOT LINES.
AND THAT, UM, THERE SHOULD BE A MINIMUM SETBACK OF 250 YARDS FROM A RESIDENCE IF A PROPERTY OWNER'S CONSENT IS NOT RECEIVED, UM, TO BE LOCATED CLOSER.
AND THAT IS, UH, PER STATE CODE.
SO THAT'S, UH, STATE CODE 57 DASH 26.
AND BASICALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT IF THERE'S RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ADJACENT TO THIS, TO THE CHURCH PROPERTY, THEY WOULD EITHER NEED PERMISSION FROM THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS OR THEY WOULD NEED TO, UM, BE 750 FEET BACK FROM THE PROPERTY LINE OR 250 YARDS.
AND THEN THE STATE CODE ALSO REQUIRES THAT THERE SHALL BE A 300 YARD SETBACK FROM A CITY, TOWN OR A WATER COMPANY.
WELL, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE ANY WELLS AT THIS SITE.
I WILL HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC WORKS.
BUT, UM, I CAN TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE AND THEN THE, UM,
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APPLICANT IS ALSO HERE IF YOU'VE GOT ANY QUESTIONS OF THEM.MR. CHAIRMAN, MAY I ASK A QUESTION OF STAFF? UH, COMMISSIONER MARNER? MAY I ASK A QUESTION? YES, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
UM, THERE'S NO MOTION, IS IT? WHAT'S THE DEFINITION OF A CEMETERY? SO A CEMETERY IN OUR CODE IS, IT STATES THAT IT'S SPECIFICALLY FOR THE, I THINK IT'S A DISPOSITION OF HUMAN RE REMAINS, A SET OF HUMAN REMAINS, OR ANY NUMBER OF SETS OF HUMAN REMAINS.
THE CEMETERY DEFINITION DOES NOT PUT A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER.
IT, THAT, THAT NUMBER IS GONNA BE DETERMINED BY THE LOT SIZE.
THERE ARE STANDARDS FOR, UM, THE, THE PLOTS.
SO I BELIEVE IT'S 40 INCHES BY 10 FEET.
AND THAT'S IN THE TOWN CODE? NO, I THINK THAT'S JUST STANDARD ACROSS LIKE A, LIKE FOR ALL CEMETERIES.
SO THE, THE STATE, THE STATE CODE SPECIFIES 40 BY YES.
UM, AND SO I SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME YESTERDAY RESEARCHING STATE CODE.
UM, AND IN OTHER, AND I RESEARCHED OTHER JURISDICTIONS, LIKE IN THE, UH, TOWN OF LEESBURG, FOR EXAMPLE.
THEY DO THIS, UH, PER SPECIAL USE PERMIT.
UM, THE TOWN OF CAL PEPPER, I BELIEVE IT'S, IT'S A BY RIGHT USE, BUT ONLY IN CERTAIN ZONES.
UM, I DID LOOK AT, UM, SOME OF THE COUNTIES, BUT COUNTIES AND TOWNS ARE, ARE DIFFERENT.
SO IN COUNTIES IT TENDS TO BE MORE OF A, JUST A, AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS IN THE TOWNS AND CITIES.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S MORE OF A SPECIAL USE PROCESS.
I DON'T SEE IN THE CODE WHERE IT'S A REQUIREMENT THAT IT BE A SPECIAL USE.
HONESTLY, MY, MY INCLINATION IS GOING TOWARDS, WE MAKE THIS A SPECIAL USE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE TO.
SO THAT WILL BE AT THE, UM, THAT WILL BE AT THE, YOUR DECISION AND COUNCIL'S DECISION.
SO, SO THE REQUEST IS COMING FROM A CHURCH? YES.
THAT'S CURRENTLY, WHAT ZONE DID YOU SAY? IT'S R THREE.
AND THEY WANNA BURY ONE PERSON? YES.
HOW MANY ACRES IS THIS? 17 ACRES.
SO ACCORDING TO WHAT 1 75 DASH 30.2, THEY COULD HAVE A CEMETERY.
SO THEY COULD, SO IN, IF OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH SAID, HEY, WE WANNA BE BURIED THERE, WELL THAT'S, WE WOULD'VE THE PHONE.
SO THAT'S WHERE THIS MAY GET A LITTLE BIT TRICKY.
SO, UM, WITHOUT A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, I WON'T HAVE A MECHANISM TO STOP, UH, THE, THE BURIAL OF OTHER PEOPLE THERE.
UM, BECAUSE IT'LL JUST BE BY, RIGHT.
SO THEY WOULD JUST COME IN AND, AND APPLY FOR A ZONING PERMIT.
AND THAT'LL BE THROUGHOUT THE R THREE ZONE.
IF A CHURCH MEETS, OR IF A CHURCH MEETS THE CRITERIA THAT WE SET FORTH IN ANY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, THEN WE SIGN OFF ON IT ADMINISTRATIVELY.
IF YOU GO THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT ROUTE, THEN WE CAN REQUEST THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, A, A PLAT BE PROVIDED PRIOR TO SHOWING WHERE THE REMAINS ARE GOING TO BE.
OR WE CAN REQUEST, WE CAN, THEY CAN HAVE, UM, DEED RESTRICTIONS OR, OR RECORD A DEED THAT WOULD EXPLAIN, YOU KNOW, HOW IT'S GONNA BE MAINTAINED.
UM, HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN BE BURIED THERE, THAT TYPE OF THING.
BUT AGAIN, THIS CAN BE AS, THIS CAN BE MORE COMPLICATED.
IT'S AT THE WOULD WOULD TAKE US, WOULD IT TAKE US ANY LONGER, UM, IN THE PROCESS TO JUST DO A SPECIAL USE PERMIT AS OPPOSED TO DOING A BY? RIGHT.
SO THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT WOULD PROBABLY ADD ABOUT TWO MONTHS, THREE MONTHS ONTO THE TIME, WHICH THAT MATTERS WHEN YOU'RE BURYING SOMETHING.
AND, AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS WE'RE, WE'RE THIS HEARING AND PUBLIC HEARING WE'RE HOLDING IS NOT FOR A SPECIAL USE FOR THAT USE.