JUNE 24, 1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Plat. Motion carried 7-0. Next, Ross Holloway presented the rezone issue on the 1.2 acres that an approval was given on for a Minor Plat. The rezone is for an R-3, multi-family-Special Use. Gordon Gibson, a psychologist spoke to the Commission concerning a need for a residential facility to have affordable facilities with supporting services for the disabled. He said the project had been approved from State Rural Development Services with full funding and a $692,000 award and the fiscal year was rurming out. He said 181 families and individuals in Mooresville area was receiving treatment. He addressed the fears or neighborhood concerns by saying the individuals they diagnose and evaluate had no offending records or court appearances, they have 24 hour care, and understand right from wrong. He said the award of $692,000 plus a grant for $125,000 will get redisbursed to other projects if this rezone is not passed before the deadline. Commissioner Marshall asked if the 24 hour resident facility manager had credentials. The answer was this person wasn't clinical, could be trained to monitor behavior ( a lay person). Commissioner Beebe asked the time frame for opening and was told January or February of 2000. Commissioner Young asked where patients go for recreation? Mr. Gordon said there was a kitchen, a living room and individuals are independent, some drive or have transportaion provided. Commissioner Pygman asked if the roadway would be asphalt and Mr. Holloway said it would be asphalt. Commissioner McGuire reported he had visited the establishment in Bedford and it had 9 parking spaces in which 4 were filled during the day and 7 at night. Bonnie Hammel of 444 Ferguson Road told the Commission she has a daughter who has had problems and out of 11 girls, 10 would not continue taking their medication. The psychologist said that some do have trouble with continuing to take the medication and when this happens _____ they switch to injections. Mrs. Hammel said her daughter would raise havoc and she (the mother) would not want her in a residential area. Dale Green told the Commission he worked at ROC as a correctional officer and patients can go off and come to neighbor's houses. Mr. Gordon says this shows signs the patient needs stepped up care. Irma VanHoy spoke to the Commission for loved ones ( her son) who couldn't find housing in Morgan County and read a letter from a woman with a handicapped daughter. Mrs. VanHoy said this housing is needed. Mrs. Green said there was a time when people took care of their own, they were not turned out for the Public to take care of. John Hammel said there was a difference between seriously handicapped and seriously disturbed and that out on Ferguson Road there was no where for the patients to go for those who didn't drive, such as to the grocery or out to eat. Dale Green told the Commission he wanted to make sure everyone knew what kind of patient they would be dealing with, a manic depressant must have a 24 hour nurse all day. Commissioner Bennett asked how often the patients were evaluated. Mr. Gordon said at least one time a week at the Center and one time a week in their apartment. He said the residents would all be from Morgan County and that Mooresville alone had enough to fill the apartments. Commissioner Pygman asked why Mooresville was picked for the apartments? Mr. Gordon told the Commission Mooresville had the numbers for the need. Motion was made by Commissioner McGuire, second by Commissioner Bennett to recommend to the Town Council to rezone to R-3 for this type of facility only with a maximum of fourteen units. Commissioner Pygman and Young said they didn't think this was the right location. Commissioner McGuire said this location was no different than others, the Subdivision