Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
|
Located at 310 Hinkle St. and run by the Church of Tomorrow, The Shepherd’s Inn is seeking a conditional use zoning permit from Council. The Board of Planning/Adjustment voted 6-0 to give the 1,400-square-foot homeless shelter a conditional use zoning permit.
Ken Hepler, city planning and zoning administrator, asked council at its briefing Monday to require some stipulations if they pass the permit. Included in the stipulations is a mandate for no more than 24 people be in residency at one time, as well as a requirement of three toilets and three bath tubs or showers to be made available.
Rocky Watts, Thomasville’s fire marshal, told the city council The Shepherd’s Inn is currently not at fire code and is being operated illegally. To meet fire codes established in 2006, Watts said the homeless shelter needs to install sprinklers, a fire alarm system, smoke detectors and a knox box, which is a box the fire department can access to get keys to the building when there is an emergency.
Following Monday’s briefing, Watts said he was unaware of the homeless shelter until some of the public expressed opposition to its opening.
Reached by phone Monday night, Church of Tomorrow Pastor Huey Turner said the homeless shelter will do whatever they need to do to comply with the City. The homeless shelter has already contracted for a sprinkler system with Greensboro-based Associated Sprinkler Systems, Turner said.
“Everything they have said at the [Board of Planning/Adjustment] meeting, we have in plans or it is in works to get done,” Turner said. “I have spoken to the inspectors and they have been very helpful. We knew there were things to bring up to be in compliance.”
Attempting to ensure city officials the homeless shelter is making strides toward improvements, Turner said he will provide them with information this week about some of the changes which have and will be made.
In front of the Board of Planning/Adjustment, many people spoke against the homeless shelter who argued that it lowers their property value or increases the potential for crime. Turner said he has since spoken with some who were not in favor of the homeless shelter.
“I’m sure there are still some hard feelings,” Turner said. “I have tried to do what I could to ease those. I have actually had some of the neighbors who have opposed us that have brought some food to the guys. There are always going to be some hurdles in doing this.”
Working to help the homeless get on their feet, Turner said The Shepherd’s Inn has two residents who are moving out this week. The homeless shelter currently has nine occupants, and at its most has had 11.
“The City Council knows there are homeless people in this community,” the pastor said. “We can either keep the homeless people in a place and try to help get them on their feet or just let them stay on the street. Those are the two options. We are going to do everything the city wants us to do within reason to comply.”
In other business:
• Council will consider a request for right-of-way from Duke Energy Corporation.
• The disposition of dilapidated houses at 111 Broad St., 211 Warner St. and 627 Liberty Drive will be considered by Council.
• Council will consider an update to the solid waste ordinance.
• Council will consider a reserve sewer allocation policy.
• A speed limit change on West Holly Hill Road will be considered by council.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.