Boone Town Council

amends ordinance

to allow new

homeless shelter
By Frank Ruggiero
ruggiero@wataugademocrat.com

A new home for the Hospitality House homeless shelter became all the more likely Thursday, after a vote by the Boone Town Council.

The council agreed to amend the town’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to allow homeless shelters in light industrial (M-1) districts, with the Boone Area Planning Commission having recommended the same.

Prior to discussion, however, council member Lynne Mason recused herself from the proceedings, as she also serves as the Hospitality House’s executive director.

She also spoke to the council, addressing questions raised at the Feb. 14 quarterly public hearing.

The planning commission had questioned why only homeless shelters were considered being added to the light industrial use, and Mason said the request, which was filed by the council, was made with consultation from Boone Development Services to establish a broader range of zoning districts that can accommodate homeless shelters.

The property in question consists of nearly two acres near the county-owned Hannah Building, which is now occupied by the Hunger and Health Coalition, and the county recently deeded the property to the Hospitality House.

Mason said the Hospitality House board of directors selected and pursued this site for very specific reasons, including its proximity to the Hunger and Health Coalition.

“This will allow us to coordinate services with them in a more efficient manner,” Mason said, adding that the property also neighbors an off-campus site of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, as well as affordable-housing neighborhoods.

Mason said the request is nothing more than expanding an already permitted use in town, and the Hospitality House would be subject to all the permitting requirements mandated by the UDO.

“We would not need a homeless shelter if we had an adequate supply of affordable housing in our community,” she said, noting that homelessness is a very complex issue with many different faces. “When people hear the term ‘homeless,’ they tend to cringe and wonder what this means … but we work with a lot of individuals that greatly benefit from the services and are really able to get back on their feet.”

The organization’s goal, she said, is to help people develop stable resources and work back into permanent housing to become community members.

Kent Tarbutton, chairman of the Hospitality House’s new facility committee, echoed Mason’s sentiments and said the new facility is necessary, as the shelter’s present location on King Street “is not the right location.”

The new location he described as “marvelous,” with level land that will result in lower infrastructure costs.

Though the organization serves clients from several communities, most come from Boone. In that respect, Tarbutton said he’d like to see the council and Hospitality House work together.

Town attorney Sam Furgiuele, noting that Mason and Tarbutton were allowed to speak on the matter, despite the fact a public hearing was not opened, said the council should, in turn, invite others to speak on the matter.

“We have searched long and hard for another site for our ailing structures,” Kay Borkowski, chairwoman of the Hospitality House board, said.

“This has seemed to be just perfect for us in that area,” she added, mentioning the level land and its proximity to public transportation, such as AppalCART stops and the Greenway Trail, allowing busing and bicycling into town.

“In addition to that, there’d be the possibility of some health services right there in what was the old Hannah Building, and also the possibility of instruction in what, at the current time, is a part of Caldwell Community College. So, it’s an ideal place for these people, and away from temptation.”

Council member Janet Pepin expressed concern in placing “such an unusual zoning by right” in the light industrial classification. She said it would make sense for property owners with M-1 land to have commented on the matter, yet no one signed to speak at the public hearing.

Council member Rennie Brantz moved that the amendment be approved, council member Liz Aycock seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.