At last Tuesday’s Becker Twp. Board meeting, staff discussed topics related to a group home/boarding house located at  13139 96th Street SE in Becker that they all thought was a licensed group home. 

 

Apparently it is not. 

 

As an unlicensed facility, if there were only four-to-five individuals living there, it would be considered a single family home.  But staff has learned they are hiring employees and are connected with a larger group home company.  This appears to be a commercial venture and is prohibited by the township’s zoning and the board advised the violation needed to be corrected.

 

Clerk Lucinda Messman said a notice of violation will be sent to the property owner. It was also noted that court proceedings will occur if necessary.

 

The township’s other attorney, Damien Toven would be available to prosecute and Attorney Bourgeois recommends the township bring him in on this.

 

The situation will move quickly once the town board approves the direction.  Several  residents were present Tuesday  who have experience and knowledge of this location.

 

 

Chairman Hammer opened floor to comments from residents. One resident said they spoke with the new neighbor, who goes by the name Ben, who said the house is in his name only but he is a three-year employee of Genesis Group Home.  Ben also stated that they will keep less than six people living there and mentioned that he heard this house was in a gun-friendly neighborhood.

 

 Ben also mentioned that the group home company is looking at other properties in the Becker area.

 

Another property, 9336 131st Street, is a licensed group home directly north of this property and has a history of parking issues. Attorney Bourgeois pointed out that this particular address is a licensed facility and parking issues should be directed to the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Dept.

 

Another resident mentioned shooting concerns.  While they said they are fine with shooting, they did not like that at 1 a.m. (after dark) there was a lot of shooting going on at the unlicensed facility.  It was also noted residents of that facility were driving their four-wheelers onto neighboring properties.  

 

Another resident mentioned  shooting occurs on a daily basis and they worry about the children in the neighborhood.  Attorney Bourgeois and the town board members said if there is a safety concern, people are to call 911 and have the sheriff handle the situation.  While the town board is the authority when it comes to zoning, the sheriff is the authority regarding shooting regulations.

 

Another resident asked what the zoning is for thos property. They were told it was   general rural, a residential zoning classification.

 

Another resident asked about covenants and Attorney Bourgeois indicated the township board does not enforce covenants — that is up to the homeowners association.  In this case, there are two developments in  Majestic Knoll and Garbrian Woods.

 

A question was asked how can one track what the board is doing?  They were told to attend meetings or contact Clerk Messman for minutes.  The audience was told the joint planning board will be meeting Jan. 26 and this issue will be mentioned and members of the public could be asked for comment.

 

One final question was asked, how soon will the violation letter go out?  

 

Messman said the plan is for the notice to be drafted and go out immediately following the JPB meeting Jan. 26, if not sooner.