Fifty residents attended Monday’s Haven Township meeting to voice concerns and hear updates about a proposed transition home in Valley View.

 

Supervisor Jeff Schlingmann explained he had received a call from Denise Fale, the president of the St. Cloud chapter of the NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). 

 

During the call Fale informed him she was putting money down on a house at 3675 13th Ave. SE in the Valley View neighborhood, and requested a determination on whether or not a halfway or transition home would be an allowed use of current zoning in Haven Township. She also asked if there were any other state or federal statutes concerning the zoning district, and indicated the home would be for homeless individuals in need of additional services who were referred by local social service agencies. 

 

Schlingmann informed her the area is presently zoned primarily agricultural, and under agricultural zoning, permitted use section, single-family residences are currently allowed.

 

Fale indicated she is working with a division of the State Health Dept and the Dept of Social Services, and is applying under State Statute 157, licensing for a board and lodging facility. 

 

Schlingmann told attendees State Statute 462 gives townships the power to plan and zone, however State Statute 144D is what licenses houses with service contracts. 

 

“What that means is according to state legislation, if the transitional home is licensed by the state under 144D it preempts local zoning and there’s nothing our ordinance can do,” said Schlingmann. “We can not exclude that use.”

 

Resident Jenny Kurr approached the board and stated although she’s very supportive of these types of places, her concern is that the term disabilities is very broad, and there is no way to guarantee the people who are housed in the neighborhood haven’t been criminals at some point.

 

“I also don’t understand how they can be put two miles out of town with no bus service,” she said. “It just doesn’t seem to me like the proper place to put people with disabilities.”

 

Resident Mary Ellen Holverson informed the board she had contacted the State Dept of Health and Human Services and was told they hadn’t seen anything so far. However, they mentioned licenses, not license, which led her to believe Fale may present several licenses so the property can later be used for other people and purposes.

 

“As a neighborhood we’d like some clarification,” she said.

 

Resident Tom Schwichtenberg said the concern of Valley View is that 144D will go through and they wouldn’t know. It’s not having the information that they’re concerned with.

 

Bonnie Schwichtenberg pointed out the matter was clearly out of the township’s hands, but asked if they could direct them where to go for information.

Township Attorney David Meyers advised calling Rep. Knoblach and Sen. Pederson, and Schlingmann suggested starting with the State Dept of Health and the State Dept of Human Services. 

 

Supervisor Randy Linn pointed out if the home is licensed they will be reviewed, and if there are any issues they can be brought up then, stating, “Licensure isn’t forever.”

 

“I appreciate the way you conducted yourselves tonight with such a large group and with something so controversial,” Schlingmann addressed the crowd. “You were respectful to the board and hopefully we’ve been respectful to you.”

 

Township Attorney Meyers reminded the board the courts have asked them to streamline things and change many of their misdemeanors to petty misdemeanors, which would mean offenders wouldn’t have to appear in court and fines would be reduced. He asked the board to allow him to review current offenses and their charges and present a recommendation at the April meeting, which the board agreed to. 

 

The board approved Resolution 2016-100, Maintenance Agreement with Clear Lake Township. The resolution allows the township to share the cost of snow removal on 31st Avenue with Clear Lake Township but handle their own maintenance. 

 

Supervisor Mark Knowles informed the rest of the board the railroad had contacted them concerning work that will be done on the crossing at 52nd Street. They’re currently taking bids on the work, which will most likely be completed in 2017. The township will be responsible for any potential utility work that may need to be done. 

 

The sheriff reported there were 53 calls for service for the month of February, including 20 traffic, one theft, one fraud complaint, one domestic and one warrant arrest.

 

The next Haven Township meeting will be April 18 at 7 p.m.