Residents of a subdivision off N.C. 150 won the first round in their fight to keep out a group home for disturbed teens.
Nearly 50 residents packed the Rowan County Planning Board meeting Monday evening to oppose a request by Bruce and Shirley Goodson to rezone one lot in the Westridge subdivision to commercial business industrial.
The Goodsons initially asked planners to certify the group home as a home occupation. Under the current residential suburban zoning, up to 25 percent of the dwelling can be used for business, usually a home office.
Planners advised the couple that they would need a rezoning to operate a group home at 1110 Highland Creek Drive, which the Goodsons own and previously lived in, according to neighbors.
Planners recommended against the rezoning, citing the residential area and extreme concern of neighbors.
The Planning Board quickly grasped the concern and opposition of neighbors.
All seats in the room were filled, and more than a dozen people stood for nearly two hours waiting for the hearing and the board’s decision.
Bruce Goodson outlined plans for a safe, structured, loving home for three troubled children and appeared to suggest he would be living in the home with the children.He vowed that if any problem should occur, he would immediately close the home.
Deborah Cloutier and Scott Goddard, both Highland Avenue residents, drove home the point that Goodson operates a business and has other group homes. They showed copies of Salisbury Post stories about incidents involving group homes run by Goodson and his partners, doing business as Developmental Independent Care Services.
In one instance, two group home employees were charged with allowing teens to consume alcohol and engage in sexual activity.
In another incident, a group home employee was charged with driving while impaired and allowing his four teen-age passengers to consume alcohol.
“If he’s so concerned about the children, why doesn’t he live in the house with them?” asked Cloutier.
A single parent who lives next door to the planned group home said Goodson isn’t being fair to her, to the subdivision or to her children. “I can’t just up and move,” said Elife Jones.
Corey Overcash said her 14-year-old daughter became alarmed at the prospect of having a group home on the street. “She’s afraid to get off the bus,” said Overcash. “Why doesn’t he open the home in Glen Heather where he lives now?”
Chairman John Linker asked for a show of hands on the issue. Dozens of hands were raised in opposition. Not a single hand was evident in support of the proposal.
Board Member Art Steinberg ripped into Goodson, charging that he had not been forthcoming. Steinberg said Goodson didn’t mention that he operated other group homes, leaving the board with the impression he would be taking care of the children.
Goodson said he wasn’t trying to evasive but was trying to be brief.
Steinberg questioned Goodson’s earlier declaration that only two residents had responded negatively to his plans.
Goodson said he had no idea that opposition was so extensive.
“Does this large turnout in opposition change your mind?” asked Steinberg.
“No sir, it does not,” replied Goodson.
Board member Andy Hinson said he wouldn’t support rezoning property in the middle of a subdivision for any purpose.
Linker pointed out that the existing zoning for the area, residential suburban, is the county’s most restrictive residential zoning.
A motion by Vice Chairman William Yow to recommend denying the rezoning drew unanimous support.
The request will now go the the Rowan County Commissioners for a final decision.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com
.
Today's News
