Shelter hopes to expand to 50 beds

A city hearings examiner is considering Community Lifeline's request to expand the capacity of its downtown Shelton shelter from 35 beds to 50.

On Monday evening, city hearings examiner Terrace McCarthy heard testimony from the City of Shelton, Community Lifeline board members and administrators, and neighboring residents about the shelter at 218 N. Third St.

The nonprofit is requesting an amendment to an existing conditional use permit to expand its bed capacity. The City of Shelton recommends approving the amendment, with conditions that include requiring an on-site member or volunteer on the site and available by phone at all times.

McCarthy will release a decision in the coming days.

Monday's nearly two-hour hearing in the Shelton Civic Center included testimony from Community Lifeline board members and administrators, who described successes helping homeless people find housing, and the next-door neighbors, who described verbal and physical threats and assaults, garbage, drug and alcohol use, vandalism by shelter residents and a homeless man trying to poison their dog.

"We think this is an important expansion of services to the community," said Dan Chandler, a member of Community Lifeline's board of directors.

"Everyone who comes to Community Lifeline is on a plan ... with the ultimate goal of permanent housing," said Barb Weza, who recently changed roles from the group's executive director to development director.

But Judith and Ron Whittaker, who live next door, said they are opposed to the bed expansion. Judith said her family has resided in the house for 60 years, and never had to call police until the shelter opened in 2006.

"I oppose the shelter expansion," Judith said. "I'm a compassionate person, but this is not a good place for a shelter."

She said the shelter should be moved to the outskirts of town.

"It's terrible when you can't go outside your home and feel safe," she said.

Ron Whittaker proposed that the hearings examiner table the decision, and that the city host more public hearings on the proposed expansion. He unfurled a roll of paper he said shows 250 to 300 police calls to the shelter in 2020 and so far in 2021. He described being assaulted by a resident on the steps of the shelter.

The shelter needs trained security around the clock, Ron said. "The residents are running the place," he said.

In February 2006, the City of Shelton hearings examiner approved a conditional use permit authorizing a cold weather shelter. The shelter was allowed to open between Nov. 1 and April 30 on nights when the temperature was forecast to fall below 32 degrees. In October 2019, the city approved an amendment to the conditional use permit that allowed year-round occupancy following fire alarm and sprinkler upgrades.

When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the Community Lifeline building transformed into a round-the-clock "low barrier" shelter that offers meals, showers, clothing, case management, peer support, job training and resource connection for people in need.

At Monday's hearing, City of Shelton Senior Planner Jason Dose said the shelter is located in a "transitional zone" where businesses and homes merge. He outlined the city's conditions for the amendment approval, which include all lighted exit signs, emergency lights and portable fire extinguishers being serviceable at all times.

Representing Community Lifeline's board of directors, Chandler said the group can accommodate the conditions.

Mike Olsen, a former Shelton City commissioner, said he lived kitty corner from the shelter, but moved partly die to the "degradation" of the neighborhood. He said he supports the expansion of services, but believes Community Lifeline has to be more accountable for the actions of the residents. He suggested the organization buy the Whittakers' property.

Chriss Brickert, a member of Community Lifeline's board of directors, said the group is working with City Manager Jeff Niten and Police Chief Carole Beason to solve problems and make the neighborhood safer.

"I agree that we need to do better," said Athena Ayers, the new shelter manager.

Miguel Gutierrez, who had been sworn in as a new member of the Shelton City Council earlier in the day, said he is "heartbroken" to hear about the troubles the Whittakers encounter. He lives seven blocks from the shelter.

But if the shelter is important, and if it closes, there will be 3,000 police calls to the area instead of 300, he said.

"We need to do better," he said. "We need to connect the services."