By David Fleet
Atlas Twp. — At 7 p.m., March 13, at the Atlas Township Hall, 7386 S. Gale Road, the Atlas Township Planning Commission will host a public hearing for consideration to rezone the parcel of land at 11280 Hegel Road. The request was made on behalf of My Brothers Keeper.
My Brothers Keeper intends to operate a 10 bedroom home for veterans discharged from medical facilities. They will provide supportive services and therapies for up to 180 days to prepare the resident to move to another setting. The current Residential Agriculture does not allow for 10 unrelated adults to reside in one dwelling.
The applicant’s request is to rezone the property to the Special Housing District where the home could qualify as a “garden apartment,” which is a principal permitted use in that district.
The proposed use of the 6,500 square feet home set on 10 acres is for multi-family/veteran’s transitional housing. The intent of the Special Housing district per section 12B.00 of the Zoning Ordinance, is to “encourage the development of a variety of nontraditional housing types not ordinarily found in conventional single-family residential districts so as to provide opportunities for all persons wishing to reside in the community.” There are currently no parcels zoned Special Housing District in Atlas Township.
Supporters say this is not a medical facility or homeless shelter, rather a home to transition temporarily. The project is fully funded by national and state grants, and local donations. At least one neighbor stated it’s a great idea to convert the property into a home for veterans in need.
Opponents say the higher intensity residential and non-residential uses allowed by the SH District are generally not consistent with the planned agricultural character of the area. Also, the site is not presently served by public water or sewer facilities and the facility could generate traffic volumes beyond the capacity of Hegel Road to accommodate. In addition the community has no grocery stores, access to widespread work, transportation, or other amenities.
The Planning Commission is charged with holding the Public Hearing and making a recommendation to the Township Board to consider in the approval or denial of the rezoning request.
The Township Board has the ultimate authority to approve or deny all rezoning requests