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REGULAR MEETING February 25, 2019
<br /> They are a sole proprietor for-profit business with headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan. Unlike
<br /> a non-profit, there is no governing Board representing the community. Any assurances made by
<br /> them in support of this bill today and in past hearings of meetings regarding how the program will
<br /> operate, the safety features built in to protect both the clients/residents and neighborhood could be
<br /> nullified immediately and without notice or consent of the neighborhood or the City. This is a
<br /> private, for-profit corporation. In addition, it has been stated by the presenters that when clients'
<br /> private insurance or personal funds run out, they are removed from the program and relocated
<br /> elsewhere. While that may be in the best interest of the business,it is a turning of people for profit.
<br /> I was grateful to hear that during the time of turning people for profit, some people truly get help.
<br /> The addition of this property will just allow them to turn more people for profit. We have been
<br /> told, unlike what has been told tonight that only people at Choices down the street will be lucky
<br /> enough to move here. Now,they are saying they may come from elsewhere.All of this is for profit
<br /> at the expense of our neighborhood to a corporation based in Battle Creek and I urge you to do
<br /> your research on that. They also stated to us that no client is allowed to leave the program, even
<br /> though it's voluntary, without a place to go or a follow-up care program. As Mont mentioned,
<br /> when questioned about the four(4) registered sex offenders who lived there in 2018, the response
<br /> was, and I wrote this down from a gentleman who is not in this room but who does represent them,
<br /> We don't know, and we don't care. Well, if they can be so cavalier toward that, I don't know what
<br /> they are to other people. Obviously, their concerns do not extend whole-heartedly and full-
<br /> heartedly. When those people's funds ran out, they were out of the program. In opposition to what
<br /> Brandon said earlier to you about fencing this property, it was also stated to us that only if they
<br /> had the money would they fence it. They will not be owning the property to the left that faces
<br /> Jefferson and 26th Street. Their parking lot is to the rear of the building. That parking lot is owned
<br /> by the apartment complex across the street where mothers with their children park twenty-four
<br /> seven (24/7). Fathers, sons and daughters, etcetera. So, it's something that changes the more that
<br /> we hear. I urge you to do more research. We were told, and Bob mentioned, the fences were there
<br /> to keep those of us who live on the outside, out. I,too, spent time in Choice's parking lot for a total
<br /> of thirty (30) minutes. We were also told at our public hearing by Patrick, who is no longer here
<br /> tonight, that they couldn't build an addition on their property because insurance regulations
<br /> wouldn't allow it. They have a huge parking lot,half of which never had a vehicle on it. I want all
<br /> of this clarified. The other thing is, if their average client is a married man who is twenty-seven
<br /> (27) years old, why are they saying this will be only for females? Probably because of most of us
<br /> at Walnut Grove, they think it's going to be easier for us to accept. I want you to do research. I
<br /> hope you support the Area Plan's recommendation to deny this special exception and rezoning and
<br /> retain the strength of our neighborhood. Thank you, very much.
<br /> Judy Shills,2612 Birch Way, South Bend, IN, stated, Good evening and thank you for listening to
<br /> all of us that are here. I'm here with concerns on the rezoning to MF-One (1) of property 2610
<br /> East Jefferson,requested by Choices Recovery, located at 3606 East Jefferson, to turn this facility
<br /> into a sober living facility for residents associated with this company. My concerns are real and
<br /> not hearsay. I have personally witnessed how Choices has run this current facility, in part, for the
<br /> last four(4)years. My daughter's home is on 35th Street along with two(2)other residents adjacent
<br /> to this facility, with sizeable backyards and all amenities including a pool used for family
<br /> gatherings for the past thirty(30)plus years. The last four(4) years, all of this has been hampered
<br /> by vulgarity, concert-volume music, no curfew with zero (0) regard for neighbors and businesses
<br /> including River Bend Cancer facility that invested dearly to outside property for clients to have a
<br /> peaceful atmosphere. It is very rarely used for that purpose. Choices has been contacted because
<br /> of the problems, personally, with complaints of the noise, behavior and lack of security. It has
<br /> gone to no avail. So, contact has turned to law enforcement. I can not speak for the winter months,
<br /> this is spring, summer and fall. Police would come, and it would get quiet for about fifteen (15)
<br /> minutes. Then, in fifteen (15) minutes, the noise goes back up and goes even louder than it was
<br /> before. Another thing I want to bring up about the facilities, as far as the security, it was brought
<br /> up earlier by one (1) of the constituents of Choices that it was brought to their attention at one (1)
<br /> of the meetings that several times, it wasn't one(1) time, but these kids jump over the fence quite
<br /> often. It is different kinds of volleyballs and whatever. He also brought up that it was one(1)family
<br /> picnic. Well, this has been going on for the last four (4) years. With that being said, if they are
<br /> granted this rezoning, how are we guaranteed the promise of a secured facility at 2610 East
<br /> Jefferson?Does it have any merit at all,considering what doesn't take place,security-wise, at their
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