After months of uncertainty, the West Bay women’s halfway house has been given the green light following a decision by the Central Planning Authority to revoke an enforcement notice deemed to change the property’s zoning.
The authority issued the enforcement notice on June 6 requiring The Bridge Foundation to change the zoning of its property from residential to institutional for the three-bedroom home on Uncle Bob Road.
The shelter offers transitional housing for up to six women recovering from drug and or alcohol addiction.
While the house was able to continue to operate, the official opening was canceled in May after residents of the district expressed concerns about the location of the house and its planning permit.
Foundation cofounder and director Charles Jennings said the organization had filed an appeal against the planning board’s decision and the house had been inspected by planning officials.
“While we’re pleased with this outcome, we regard ourselves as good neighbors and are always sympathetic to the concerns of those living close to any of our facilities,” Mr. Jennings said.
“Consequently we’re happy to discuss and hopefully resolve any issues they may have in the future”.
Minutes from the July 30 meeting of the Central Planning Authority stated, “Together with the information provided by the Bridge Foundation’s representatives as well as the observations made of the site and building, the authority came to the determination that the building is simply a residential home, just like any other residential home and there is no activity occurring on the site that could be viewed as institutional.”
“As a result of this determination, the authority resolved that a change-of-use application is not required and the issuance of the enforcement notice is revoked and the enforcement case is closed.”
The authority also revisited the mens’ residence in West Bay and resolved no action was required.
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