Dothan residents object to group home
The future inhabitants of a ranch-style house in an established neighborhood in north Dothan stirred a fuss during a recent zoning meeting at city hall. And they weren’t even there.
In what came across as a fair housing and discrimination issue, neighbors around a house at 2405 Evans Drive said they wanted to maintain the neighborhood zoning as single-family — a move which, they believe, protects their property values.
In the end, the objection of Griffin Heights Subdivision neighbors did not win out, based in part on fair housing laws, which prohibit discriminating against certain residents. It remains to be seen if the special exception granted by the Board of Zoning Adjustment will impact the neighborhood.
The issue before the board was an exception to allow the opening of a three-bed group home by Vaughn Blumberg Center for persons with intellectual disabilities. The home will house three full-time residents and a rotating full-time caregiver. During the day, residents would go to their jobs or programs at the center. They would come home at night, just like anybody else in the neighborhood, said Ed Dorsey of Vaughn Blumberg.
Neighbors said it was a bad idea because:
- The use was being classified as semi-public, which does not fit in the zoning;
- It would be the first time the city allowed a group home in a single-family neighborhood;
- It violated a city recommendation on support due to significant neighborhood objection;
- Vaughn Blumberg did not meet with neighbors to discuss the plan, as recommended;
- The residents would create additional traffic and pose some risk.
Other objections seemed to imply a fear of their soon-to-be neighbors. Some quizzed Dorsey on criminal backgrounds, what might happen if residents were over- or under-medicated, and if they would be outside at night.
“Do emergencies happen? Yes,” Dorsey said. “If someone has a heart attack, we want 911 to come.”
Catheryn Dykes, who lives next door, strongly objected.
“We are considered elderly,” she said. “Couples have been living there. One had one child. Honking of horns and slamming of doors would be disturbing.”
BZA vice chairman Fred Barkett pointed out that some noise is normal at any house.
“If anybody else bought the home — say a couple with two or three small children — their actions and coming and going, cars and car doors, would not be anything we could address. It would be part of the normal use of the home.”
Officials also pointed out that there are several group homes in Dothan, in Chapelwood, on Dusy Street, Cottonwood Road and other areas. In most cases, neighbors do not know they are living near a group home.
“There is no easy answer,” said board member Michael Jackson. “It looks like fair housing laws tend to support what you (Vaughn Blumberg) are trying to do.
You are going to have to be an unusually good neighbor.”
Officials said they believed this option was better than the property becoming a rental.
“You can pick up the phone and call Vaughn Blumberg with your complaint,” BZA member Benton Harrison said. “There will be an overseer or manager (to) tell them don’t go outside, don’t slam doors, don’t shoot firecrackers or whatever it is.”
The special exception was approved on a 5-2 vote. Voting to approve were Jackson, Linda Kirkland, Morris Stringer, Angela McNeal and Mae Register. Voting no were Barkett and Harrison. Gina Grant recused herself.
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Patriot, what you stated in your first paragraph is exactly the point i have been trying to get across to Susie. Whatever the cause of the decrease in property value, the decrease occurs. You probably hit the nail on the head as to alot of the actual cause . I dont understand why susie disputes it . It’s common knowledge to everyone but her.
Susie , i see you have trouble comprehending what you read . I have not researched the effect of property values concerning mexicans moving in an area !! I have researched the decrease in property values when blacks move into an area. Are you capable of looking that up for yourself or would you like me to forward that info to you too?? You pasteing seperate sentences from two totally different post changes the meaning or the previous lines. Ask any realtor and they will confirm what i said about property values. If you dont have time or the ability to research it, they will confirm it. Theres some good articles on the subject surrounding , seattle , detroit and atlanta . Those are just a few examples of lower property values. This is not about blacks only. The same decreases occur when any government subsidized housing if built in an area. Only it happens immediately.There’s whites live in those places too you know. As i said facts are not being racist !! It;s just how you perceive the facts that are deemed as racist. You’re the one that made this all about race—-not me !!! LMAO
I feel fairly safe that theres plenty of distance between me and my nearest possible neighbor.
When you can show me a study that disputes property value going down in a neighborhood when blacks move in it then i will concede being wrong. But you cant do that because it never happens. Usually as the subdivision residents sell and move away then it limits the number of possible buyers and therefore by default decreases the value of the property in order to sell it.I didnt mean that it immediately dropped the value 25% as it does when a public housing development builds next door to you. Of course the last few yrs this decrease has not been very noticable due to the rapid appreciation in home values. Of course we all know now that appreciation was falsely based. As values become more in line with real market value then we will see a drastic decline in property values across the board. Especially in neighborhoods as you’ve described you live in.
The neighborhood has 15 days from the BZA decision to file an appeal in circuit court.
And wpierce, what would the Temporary Injunction be for? Obeying Laws?
As it seems to me, Vaughn Blumberg went to the BZA meeting for the zoning issue. The zoning issue was “APPROVED” and The BZA has done their job by up holding the laws. Is the BZA suppose to break the laws for people in a neighborhood who are just upset because they have no say so who their neighbors will be?
Well, maybe they can just injunct/sue the Department of Justice/Fair Housing for even making these laws.
You Think?
Vaughn Blumberg and the BZA have done nothing wrong. I think who you’re upset with is definitely “THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE”
Go get em’!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way susie , while your doing your research you might need to look up temporary injunction if the residents of griffin heights decided to pursue it.
Susie, heres the fair housing act of 1968
http://www.justice.gov/crt/housing/title8.php
as you see its a section of the civil rights act.It was basically ammendments to address certain provisions of the civil rights act of 1866 and the civil rights act of 1964. As you can see it addresses issues besides race but was mainly revised due to blacks being discriminated against in areas of rent , finance and other parts of housing.Since then the classes of sex, disabilities and family status have been added as protected classes under this law. Originally is was only based upon race, color, religion and national origin.
Do your research and then contest my comment with something other than an opinion.
susie , as i said i just stated facts . If you care to research it then you will find that its true.Just because you dont like it does not alter that its based on facts.As i stated earlier , its not discrimination to state facts. I would venture to say that is mexicans for example moved into a neighbor that it would lower property values as well. I have not researched this , its only my suspicion. I feel that applies to other segments of society as well.
By the way my property line encompasses 200 acres so i dont feel the need for a fence , although alot is fenced.
So Gail, if this were only two individuals with an intellectual disability moving into this home, would this still be an issue for you? My understanding of single family home is no more than two people that are not related,living under one roof. So what if siblings with intellectual disabilities moved in?
Gail, i realize that. I wasnt the one that brought race into this discussion. Susie did when i mentioned a comparable concerning things that effect property values.
wpierce, susie - This issue has nothing to do with race - This issue has to do with Zoning laws, group homes,and single family zoning laws
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