Columbia City Council gives the go-ahead for homeless shelter
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia City Council approved the Voluntary Action Center's Opportunity Campus at its meeting on Monday night.
The approval was for the conditional use permit for the construction of a public campus that would offer a variety of services for the homeless.
The 26,300-square-foot shelter would be built at Bowling Street and Business Loop 70 East and operated by the Voluntary Action Center. The City Council approved zoning changes for the project in October.
The Campus would be operated by the VAC and would operate year-round. However, it's seen pushback from neighbors and organizations such as the Business Loop 70 CID.
The permit will allow for the construction and operation of a temporary shelter with associated wrap-around support services. The shelter will operate all day, year-round.
The conditional use permit is only needed for the shelter, the associated mixed-use corridor does not require a permit.
The shelter is expected to accommodate up to 120 people. According to the City Council Memo, guests are to be single men and women experiencing homelessness. With a maximum stay of 90 days.
The shelter would include a kitchen capable of serving 100-200 meals a day, a computer lab, pet kennels and exam area, storage space, meeting rooms, laundry processing, restroom and showers.
The VAC has implemented "self-restrictions" as well. The district requires a 2-foot setback (the distance a structure must be from a property line) when adjoining single-family homes. The VAC is proposing a 30-foot setback instead, and the building permits allow for a height of up to 45 feet. However, the VAC is keeping the building height at 35 feet.
The goal of its "self-restrictions" is to ease the conflict between residents and local businesses.
The approval comes days after the City of Columbia began cleaning up areas where homeless camps exist around the city, according to spokesperson Sydney Olsen.
