Advocate still plans homeless shelter despite statist's ban

KEENE – The man looking to go open a temporary homeless shelter in downtown Keene will have to find a new location, get a zoning variance or ask the city to sponsor the project before it can open up with the city's blessing.

Don Primrose is still going to open it, anyway.

According to an e-mail from Medard Kopczynski, head of code enforcement for Keene, what Primrose is proposing to open is a group home in the zoning code. Group homes are not permitted on Lamson Street, where Hundred Nights shelter is slated to open, which is zoned as a Central Business District.

Primrose said he is proposing a temporary cold-weather shelter, which will be open until March, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. There will be 16 beds, a toilet and sink, but no shower facilities, meals or other amenities.

Kopczynski outlined Primrose's choices in the e-mail, which include finding a new location in a different district, get a zoning variance, or asking the city council to sponsor the shelter.

The next zoning board of appeals meeting is Monday, but the deadline for adding items to the agenda has passed. The next meeting is Feb. 1.

If the city council sponsored the shelter, the use would be considered governmental, according to Kopczynski's e-mail and would be permitted in the current location. He said once the request is made, it would likely be assigned to a city committee. Once through committee it would have to go on to the full city council for approval.

Primrose said he will still open the shelter as planned Jan. 5. He said it would take too much time to find another site. He also said the current location, which is within 50 feet of one of Keene's largest homeless shelters, is close to services for the people who would be staying there.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Advocate+still+plans+homeless+shelter+despite+official+hurdles&articleId=67345bd9-e024-450d-978e-0b8fe4adbe46

Advocate still plans homeless shelter despite statist's ban

Advocate still plans homeless shelter despite statist's ban

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