Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-01-09-064 — Pathways, Inc.

Request: Special Exception in R-1A zone to use existing structure for adult recreational and social center (daytime facility serving citizens with mental health illnesses) and Variance to provide 9 unpaved in lieu of 12 paved parking spaces.

Decision: Denied

Hearing: The Staff Report and recommendation is located on Pages _____. Approximately two (2) dozen commentaries and letters were submitted in opposition to this request from residents and neighboring businesses in the area. Several individuals spoke in opposition stating they were either from or representative of the Rosemont area, Signal Hill, White Heron Drive, and the Pine Hills Community Council. The main concern was that this community was oversaturated with insitutional-type uses; this is an area that is undergoing revitalization, and it is difficult to maintain quality residential neighborhoods when the established homesites are converted to non-residential uses. Safety and security issues were raised. The opposition felt the operation could not provide a comfortable level of supervision to control behavioral disturbances that could occur. Staff cited 22 calls to the Sheriff's Department at Pathway's other location, which primarily involved intoxicated persons or behavioral disturbances. Pathways indicated such persons are asked to leave the premises. But, the opposition was concerned about what these disgruntled visitors would do once turned away, being that Pathways had no control over a person once they've left the property. The opposition pointed out there are schools and parks nearby, which have access to the same sidewalk the visitors to Pathways would be using. The bus stop the visitors would be using is not close to the property; it is located across North Lane, and it is a 10 minute trek crossing a heavy intersection and down the sidewalk to the subject property. The opposition noted the area has a bad transient and drug element and stated the addition of a social service facility of this nature would compound that problem. The BZA felt the request constituted an intrusion of an incompatible land use into a residential neighborhood. They said there is a strong community coalition working hard to preserve the residential quality, and that*