By James Day
A possible path to placing small unit transitional housing for the homeless on church properties in Silverton is now in the hands of the City Council.
The Silverton Planning Commission strongly backed new development code language on June 12. The council will consider the recommendation at its July 2 meeting.
A standing-room-only crowd of 60 people was on hand at the Silverton Community Center for the five-hour, ten-minute session, although by the time it concluded at 12:10 a.m. less than 15 people were there, most of them applauding when the 5-1 vote was taken.
Chair Clay Flowers and commissioners Gus Frederick, Chris Mayou, Tasha Huebner and Rich Piaskowski voted to recommend that the City Council consider the new code language. Morry Jones cast the lone “no” vote.
Vice-chair Jeff DeSantis was not present.
The commission was not considering a shelter proposal, only the development code language that would be required for one to go forward. The drive for the code challenge stems from a proposal by St Edward’s Episcopal Church to place small housing units on its property on West Center Street. Representatives of the church were on hand to update their proposal during the public testimony period, which lasted just short of two hours. A key change that they offered was to place the units at the rear of the property rather than in the parking lot, thereby offering more privacy.
Eleven residents spoke in favor of the project, with three speaking against and one person giving neutral testimony. At the first Planning Commission hearing on the matter on May 8, six people testified in favor of the code change, with three opposed and two providing neutral comments.
Many of the comments Tuesday night called for compassion.
“Silverton is a welcoming and supporting town,” said former city councilor Scott Walker. “This is a modest proposal with safeguards built in. To say no to this… that’s not the Silverton that I know that helps people out.”
Opponents expressed concerns about safety, suggesting public property such as the Police Department would be a more appropriate site. Fears that the transitional housing might become permanent were also presented.
Commissioners sorted through and tweaked a lengthy set of code standards prepared by city staff before proceeding to the vote.
“I started off like Morry,” Flowers said during the discussion. “I wasn’t sure that we were doing the right thing putting this in the code. But I think we have ways to manage the risk. I think we should move forward and try.”
In other items before the commission:
• The proposed subdivision on North James Street will have to wait for the July 9 Planning Commission meeting to be resolved. Because of a dispute regarding traffic analysis and the impact of the project upon nearby intersections a request from the applicant for a continuance was granted.
The plan calls for subdividing 9.5 acres east of James and north of Jefferson into 40 lots for single-family homes and duplexes.
• The commission recommended approval of an annexation for a South Water Street property. If supported by the City Council the annexation would allow Rose-Ellen Hope to hook up to the city sewer system while building an addition onto her home.
