City Commission to vote on additional shelter

The Lawrence City Commission is to vote tonight whether to allow an “open” homeless shelter at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1208 Ky.

Lawrence Open Shelter Inc. wants to open a summer shelter that would be available to people who have been drinking. People who are intoxicated are not allowed to stay at the Salvation Army homeless shelter, 946 N.H. Neighbors of the church have filed a protest petition with the city against the shelter. Not enough valid signatures were on the petition, which means the commission can grant approval with a three-person majority.

The commission meets at 6:35 p.m. today in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.