Commission Tables Decision On Permit For Agape House

By Sam Conner
   The Winslow Planning and Zoning Commission tabled a decision on a conditional use permit for an Agape House step-down facility to be located at 500 and 510 W. Gilmore after a contentious two-hour public meeting last Thursday.
   The permit would be for step-down recovery homes for recovering alcoholics and drug abusers. Petitions signed by 302 citizens had been turned into the city opposing the location of the facilities as dangerous for the neighborhood and children who walk that way to school, use bus stops near there and use the public library across the street from the buildings.
   Planner Paul Ferris said that the dwellings would house five people each, including one counselor. He said that staff recommended approval of the permit, and read a list of requirements that would have to be met. Two items on that list became important during the discussions that followed in the opening meeting. They were the supervising counselor at each house, which was not defined and became an item of controversy, and the fact that a treatment center would not be allowed in that zone.
   Commission Chairman Gordon McHood said that he had letters from owners of the properties, the applicants from Agape House and both sides of the issue, as well as the petition with more than 300 signatures of residents in opposition.
   Nina Tryon spoke on behalf of Agape House in support of the permit. She said that the program would be for people who had been through a rehabilitation program, and would not welcome practicing alcohol or drug users. She noted that such a program is badly needed in Winslow.
   Kathy Contreras, a resident of the community, spoke and said that she had a child with disabilities whom she was afraid the facility would endanger, and that it could endanger children at nearby bus stops, using the library or walking to school. She also said that one of the reasons cited for not locating such a facility in the Route 66 overlay stated by Ferris was the presence of alcohol sources there, and that Bashas’ and Safeway are only a couple of blocks away and both sell alcohol.
   Ned Emig, who is also a resident of the community, said that he is opposed to having such a facility in a residential neighborhood. He also cited the nearness of the library and its use by children, and said that the presence of the facility would have a negative effect on property values.
   Tom McCauley said that the city has been working for years to limit the use of commercial property in residential neighborhoods. He said that the program really belongs in the downtown area that had apparently been ruled out because of the nearness of alcohol, and added that it was just as close to Bashas’ and Safeway. He, too, cited the nearness to the library as a danger to children.
   Ben Ervin said that he has a licensed day care center two blocks away from the proposed facility and children of his own to worry about. He asked if someone from the facility harmed any of those children who would be responsible.
   City Attorney Dale Patton said that would have to be decided in a court, but added that the commission could not be held liable for its decision.
   In answer to a question, Tryon said that there would be a supervisor on the premises 24-7, but no law enforcement personnel. She did say that the supervisor could be a person who has been recovered for a substantial length of time and was a responsible adult. He or she would not be a licensed counselor. She later said that such a requirement would make the facility a treatment center, which was not zoned for that area or requested.
   Joan Lewis asked if there were any background checks of employees and residents.
   Tryon said that they could ask for background checks, but added that they were former addicts or alcoholics.
   Delores Byers said that she is a widow living across the street from the houses in question, and feels that it would be dangerous. She said that the library is used by many children, and some play outside at and on the streets near there. She helped circulate the petitions against the permit, and noted that she had talked to no one who was for the project there.
   Kathy Welstead asked if there is an outside entity that supervises Agape House. It was later stated that it is a Winslow project.
   Chairman McHood held up the public hearing for himself and commissioners to ask questions. He asked when they planned to take requests for admission to the facilities.
   Tryon answered, “Tomorrow, we hope.”
   Ursula Baker said that her counseling program does have state supervision. In answer to a question from McHood, she said that they are working on creating a policy for the program. She said that residents would have very structured programs. She noted that they could not put a treatment center in a residential zone, and said that placing a licensed counselor there as a resident would make it a treatment center.
   At that point, a motion to table the issue passed 4-2, with commissioners Elizabeth Campbell, James Welden, Jim Pate and Randy Pritchard voting to table, and Nadine Deck and McHood opposing. It was agreed to hear the issue again on April 21.
   Patton said that the commission had decided that it would not make a decision until it has written policies and requirements from the Agape House in hand, however, it was decided to let Baker speak and try to allay some of the fears she had heard expressed. She gave examples from her work with street people, alcoholics and the types of people likely to be in the facility and had never felt in danger.