HomeMy Public PortalAbout3.9.2005 Special WorkshopTown
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®1994 Town of Hillsborough
SPECIAL WORKSHOP AGENDA
PLANNING BOARD
Wednesday, March 9, 2005
7:00 PM, Town Barn
ITEM #l: Consideration of additions to agenda and continents from the Chair.
ITEM #2: Discussion of operations and standards of homeless shelters with Chris Moran,
Executive Director of the IFC Shelter in Chapel Hill, and other guests.
ITEM #3: Adjourn
Please call the Planning Department if you cannot attend.
732-1270 extension 73 (this line is connected to voice mail)
101 East Orange Street • PO. Pox 429 • Hillsborough, North Carolina 2 72 78
919-732-1270 • Fax 919-644-2390
MINUTES
PLANNING BOARD — Special Meeting
March 9, 2005
PRESENT: Paul Newton (Chair), Jim Boericke, Tom Campanella, Edna Ellis, Dave Remington,
Barrie Wallace, Bryant Warren
PUBLIC: Eric Oliver, Ronnie & Sharkita Torain, Keri Clay, Cheryl Johnston, Daily Tarheel
reporter, Chris Moran and Margaret Hauth
Newton called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and confirmed the presence of a quorum.
Hauth introduced Chris Moran, Executive Director for the Inter -Faith Council, operators of the
Men's Shelter and proj ect Homestart in Chapel Hill. She said no one from Marion or Elkin could be
present, but she had phone contact with each. Newton suggested that Moran provide some history
about the operations in Chapel Hill and lessoned learned.
Moran congratulated the members one their pro -active stance on the issue and taking an active role.
He said he would gladly answer questions as well. Moran noted that the Chapel Hill ordinance
allows shelters in the Town Center 1 and 2 districts, which is the zoning of the old municipal
building. He noted that not all shelters are year round. He also said that every shelter is unique to
the community that builds it. He said the Fire Marshal is key to having safe operations. He said the
shelter first started in the Chapel Hill churches before locating in the old municipal building. He said
with the congregation base, service to the homeless is often part of the church's mission. Moran said
there is also the Asheville model called "Room at the Inn," which provides services on a rotating
basis throughout the community. Moran noted that Project Homestart was not located in a TC 1 or 2
district and it might be useful to understand how it was permitted.
Warren asked if facility tour would be possible. Moran said he would welcome providing tours, if it
could be coordinated to not conflict with or intrude upon the residents.
Moran said the new facility being planned would have dormitory, quad, and double rooms that
residents will have the opportunity to "graduate" through. He said that experience operating a shelter
is very important and that his ideas about what would work have changed in the time the IFC shelter
has been opened. He said that routine is very important to residents. He suggested talking with the
architect Josh Gurlitz about important design features for a successful shelter. Moan said there is a
significant difference between retrofitting an existing building and building new in terms of the
impact to programming and operations. He suggested starting small in Hillsborough. The
advantages include being able to start sooner, gaining experience, and building alliances with
churches and the community.
Boericke asked Moran to talk about scale of the facility. Moran said it depends on the facility and
site you are working with. He said it also depends on whether the shelter will be in a fixed location
or rotating to multiple locations. Moran said a very important issue to remember is human capacity
to live together, noting it is very likely the residents will not have anything in common with one
another. He said the men's shelter has 30 beds on one floor plus emergency floor space that is used
PB Special
3/9/2005, page 2
during inclement weather. He said it is ideal to separate the floor space/emergency use area from the
permanent beds. He added that mixing genders creates additional challenges. Moran said the
planned shelter would have 48 beds in about 10,000 square feet. He said that project Homestart has
45 beds in about 10,000 square feet in 3 separate buildings.
Campanella asked the difference between the sleep only population and those seeking services as
well. Moran said that Project Homestart is referral based so there is a constant waiting list for people
interested in space and services. He said the downtown facility allows drop in with folks coming and
going. Moran noted that this can be problematic, but the mission of the kitchen is to feed anyone,
not just residents of the shelter.
Ellis asked about management practices. Moran said they have a 24-hour presence and at least one
paid manager on site when the facility is open. He added that the downtown shelter is closed in the
afternoons and loitering is not permitted. He said good management principals and the desire to be
good neighbors is critical to a successful operation. Boericke asked if there was a state license
required for shelters. Moran said this is no such requirement. He noted that a sense of ownership by
the clientele is very important to success and suggested contacting Janet McLamb, the state
coordinator of homelessness programs for a broader perspective. Remington asked about liability
insurance. Moran said they have $1 million coverage on each facility, at the property owners'
requirement. The coverage includes injuries and damage to property. Ellis asked about access to
public transportation. Moran said both facilities have access to the Chapel Hill Transit system,
which is now fare free. She asked if he had experience with Job Corps and Moran said only very
little knowledge. He added that they are partnering with Durham Tech to provide some retraining
opportunities. He said two contributing factors are inadequate wages and the shrinking affordable
housing stock. Moran noted that 80% of homeless are new and that return clients are often due to
mental illness and chemical dependency.
Campanella asked Moran if he knew of Hillsborough residents currently at the shelter. Moran said
the numbers are very small. Campanella asked how to address NIMBY -ism in siting a facility.
Moran said that since Homestart was for women, there was very limited comment. He added that a
task force had suggested the downtown facility after conducting a comprehensive search. He
suggested involving public safety as much as possible in siting decision. Moran said there would
always be opposition and misinformation.
Wallace asked whether siting in a residential area or commercial area is better. Moran said it
depended on the facility; group homes work well in neighborhoods. He said it depended on whether
the facility is transitional housing or permanent housing and the choice is unique to each community.
Remington noted that it's the uniqueness that adds to the frustration. It's dangerous to write an
ordinance based on one vision. Moran said he would contact the National Coalition and see if there
are national standards although he expected that they don't exist. Boericke asked if there was any
government oversight of their operation. Moran said other than the landlord -tenant relationship,
there was not. Ellis asked whether background checks were conducted on residents. Moran said
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3/9/2005, page 3
they cost money, so they are not done. He encourages a strong relationship with the Police
Department and encourages officers to eat at the kitchen and interact with the residents. He said that
has helped in Chapel Hill. He also suggested staff training.
Newton thanked Moran for sharing his knowledge and attending the meeting. He asked for clarified
direction to staff. Warren said he would like to encourage the congregation -based option.
Remington said he would like to see the ordinance maintain flexibility. The members agreed they
would like to tour the Chapel Hill facilities and asked Hauth to coordinate a tour with Moran before
the April meeting.
Newton adjourned the meeting at 8:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Margar f A. Hauth, Secretary
o Date