LA HABRA : Homeless Shelter Decision Delayed
The City Council this week delayed a decision on a zoning change that would have allowed the city’s first homeless shelter to be built behind a Catholic church.
About 100 residents attended the meeting ready to show their support or opposition during Tuesday night’s public hearing. Some area residents believe the shelter will reduce property values and bring crime, traffic and other problems to the area.
The builder of Mary’s Home for Families in Transition will return to the council with a project proposal that can be considered along with the zoning change and a traffic analysis. The Planning Commission rejected the zoning change, saying the eight-unit shelter would result in too much traffic.
“It’s only fair that we bring the whole thing out before us for the decision, “ Mayor John C. Holmberg said.
The proposed $2.5-million project could house up to 32 people. The facility will target families headed by young, single mothers. Families would be referred by a local or county agency, and could stay at the shelter from three months to a year.
The zoning change from low- to medium-density and the proposed project will go before the Planning Commission again in March.
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