RSS | 
Twitter
| 
Be a fan!
South Strabane group home's future uncertain
Staff writer
chriscam@observer-reporter.com
Even though they continue to wait for a response from operators of a group home, officials in South Strabane Township said it is unlikely they can shut down the home.
Rate This Story:
1 the lowest - 5 the highest
Current rating:
Two employees of the home were arrested and charged with violating the drug act last month.
Residents again voiced their opposition to the home being in a residential zone, believing that with paid staff working there it is a commercial enterprise.
Attorney Thomas Lonich prepared a legal opinion on the matter for supervisors, but the contents were not divulged to the public. Supervisors said the memo was "attorney-client privilege."
Lonich told residents that even though the township's zoning ordinance is being updated, the board could not "make an ordinance that precludes group homes from anywhere in the township."
Under the federal Fair Housing Act, which was amended in 1988 to add protections for people with disabilities, the township cannot prohibit group homes. NHS calls this home a community living arrangement.
The act does not apply to users of illegal substances or sex offenders.
In a June 16 letter to state Sen. J. Barry Stout, D-Bentleyville, and state Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, state Department of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman writes that the department has not placed any sex offenders in Washington County group homes as part of the closing of Mayview State Hospital, nor does it plan to.
"This is a very unfortunate rumor, most likely attributed to staff from the hospital who have been trying to generate fear and opposition to the closure in the community," she writes.
Richman also writes that she personally reviews the history and placement of each individual, and "we will not take risks with the safety of the individual being discharged or the communities where people will be living."
Supervisors noted that the township's zoning ordinance, written in 1976 and partially revised in 2006, is being updated.
A public hearing on the proposed ordinance is expected to take place in August. However, even with the revision, the board noted it will not be able to prevent group homes from locating in the township.
"Until there's a clear and present danger there, this board is powerless to act," said Supervisor Edward Mazur. He said the township police department is monitoring the situation on Woodlawn.
