By Kerry Rahm
krahm@wbcowqel.com
The Bucyrus City Board of Zoning Appeals met on Tuesday and approved Together We Hurt, Together We Heal’s request for a similar use variance for its sober living facility.
The property at 124 Wayne Avenue will serve as a “recovery house” supervised by the organization. The group aims to use its resources to foster that segment of the community which needs a stable, safe environment where those in recovery can find support.
Mary Jo Carle, of Together We Hurt, Together We Heal, addressed the board and outlined the group’s specific intentions for The Sycamore Recovery House.
The organization’s main focus is recovery. The facility will not offer treatment, but will help with treatment referrals if needed. Carle stated they will house no more than four males at a time, all who must be at least 18 years of age or older, and who must be clean for a minimum of 90 days. Those living in the house will be expected to pay rent to help cover the expenses of the property.
In 2007, a “similar use variance” was the same process used to approve the Lighthouse homeless shelter at 306 Woodlawn Avenue. Together We Hurt, Together We Heal desires a Class 1 group residential facility designation for the Sycamore Recovery House, in accordance with Section 1155.02.
John Rostash, City of Bucyrus Code Enforcement Officer, explained that in order for the board to approve the variance, certain conditions must be met and maintained, including avoiding excessive noise, “no creating a danger to health and safety,” or “creating traffic congestion.”
The board ultimately found nothing in the zoning objectionable, and the motion was then unanimously approved.
RELATED CONTENT: Together We Hurt Together We Heal closer to recovery house | Together We Hurt Together We Heal refocuses its effort | Together We Hurt ready to buy property for recovery house