Two-Year Permit Is Granted to Eli Home

A home for abused children and their mothers this week was granted a two-year operating permit over objections from neighbors.

Eli Home officials had asked the Planning Commission for an operating permit that eliminated a one-year limitation.

Planning staffers recommended keeping the one-year limit, but commissioners agreed to extend the permit until April 2, 2000.

The shelter drew opposition from neighbors when it opened last April in an upscale neighborhood in the hills. Its permit was due to expire Thursday.

Lorri Galloway, Eli Home executive director, said she was disappointed the permit was not extended for a longer period.

Galloway said she hoped the shelter could avoid frequent public hearings and unwanted publicity.

“This is a safe house, and to keep a safe house the location has to not be known. But because of the controversy, it’s hard to keep the anonymity,” Galloway said.

Meanwhile, the City Council has requested to review modifications to the shelter’s operating permit, including parking changes, which were approved by the Planning Commission in February. The council has scheduled an April 28 hearing on that issue.