Homeless shelter’s permit extended

Lawrence-Douglas County planning commissioners are recommending that the Lawrence Community Shelter be allowed to operate in its downtown location for at least the next three years.

Commissioners at their Wednesday evening meeting recommended approval of a three-year operating permit for the downtown homeless shelter at 944 Ky. The recommendation will now go before the City Commission.

Members of the city’s planning staff had recommended a one-year extension of the permit, but planning commissioners chose the three-year option in order to give the shelter staff time to find a suitable long-term location for the shelter, said Sheila Stogsdill, interim planning director.

The shelter has been the subject of several complaints from neighbors over the past several years. As part of the new operating permit, the shelter will be required to hire a part-time security guard to monitor the shelter grounds at least 20 hours per week.

Planning commissioners approved the permit on an 8-2 vote, with Commissioners Grant Eichhorn and John Haase voting against it.

In other business, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a DCCCA plan to use the former Lake View Manor Nursing Home at 3015 W. 31st St. as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for women and their children.

That recommendation also will go to the City Commission for final approval.