Local residents who live or work near the former Pythian Rest Home in Greenville turned out in force Monday, to voice their objections to a plan to redevelop the facility to house juveniles in state custody.
“I do not want it near by house, I do not want it in my city, I do not want it in my county,” said Melvin Ray, during a public hearing as part of Monday’s Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, concerning a request for a change in zoning for the property along Sayle Street.
But David Robinson said those who opposed the project had been operating under a mistaken assumption of what the project calls for.
Speaking on behalf of Eddie Tucker, who is a seeking the change in zoning from the current Single-Family 2 District to a Multi-Family District for the 3.91 acre property at 5020 Sayle Street, Robinson said the juveniles who would be housed in the facility would not be criminals.
“These are kids who are in foster care,” Robinson said.
The commission was not convinced, as it voted unanimously against recommending the change to the Greenville City Council.
Prior to the public hearing, Building Official Steve Methven told the commission that he did not know exactly what was planned for the site.
“I haven’t had a lot of information,” Methven said. “Honestly, we don’t know enough about this proposal in order to recommend it.”
Methven said the facility might be similar to a residential home for juveniles near Lone Oak.
“They have a tremendous problem with that down there,” he said, adding the building itself is in poor shape.
“I know there are a lot of code issues with that building that we’d have to address,” Methven noted.
A total of 30 notices of the proposed zone change were issued to residences and businesses within 200 feet of the property. Methven said the homeowners in the neighborhood made copies and passed them out to additional homes and businesses nearby.
“We didn’t have anybody who favored it,” Methven explained. “They were all opposed.”
During the hearing, 16 people spoke out against the proposal, with some addressing the commission more than once.
“I will not feel safe if this goes through,” said James LaCook, who lives near the property.
“That place has no place in this part of town,” said Luther Mitchell.
But Robinson insisted the children who will be staying at the facility are not offenders, but rather victims.
“These are people who have been removed from their homes by the courts for abuse, neglect and other reasons,” Robinson said.
He noted there are a shortage of foster care parents to take care of the children.
“There’s not enough places to take these kids,” Robinson said. “We want to place them in a decent place to give them hope and opportunity.”
But Terry Phillips said too many questions remain about whether the building itself will be remodeled, or torn down and rebuilt, as well as the staff which would work at the facility.
“Wouldn’t it be better to have foster children in a home setting ... rather than in a dormitory-style setting?” Phillips asked.
Tucker did not attend Monday’s meeting, as Robinson said he was in the process of adopting four children in California.
In replying to a questionnaire from the city about his plans for the property, Tucker said the youth residing at the facility will be providing community services to the surrounding neighborhood.
“The proposed project is designed to train and prepare the young clients of the project to assist its senior citizens and others of the community with yard work, painting, maintenance, etc. on a monthly basis, in the effort to beautify the surrounding area of the site,” Tucker wrote. “The proposed use presents a significant benefit to the public health, safety, and welfare of the community youth involved in juvenile court matters and their families by providing a safe, quality residential program designed to provide job training, relationship building, anger management, character building, independent living skills and more. Hence, addressing the City’s juvenile court need for alternative programs and services for at risk youth. Ultimately, the proposed use could potentially contribute to the City’s long-term economic well-being.”
The Pythian Guest House closed its doors March 1, 2012. The non-profit Knights of Pythias organization cited economic conditions as the reason for the move, after operating the facility since the 1970s, There were 17 residents at the home at that time.
Following the hearing, the commission declined discussion of the issue before voting 7-0 against recommending the zoning change to the council, which will conduct a second public hearing before taking a final vote on the issue when it meets September 23.
The issue will require a super majority of the council to vote in favor for the zoning change to pass.
