Jun 21, 2002 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

The Uniontown Zoning Hearing Board unanimously denied a request for a special zoning exception to open a group home for non-violent youths in the city’s Federal Building because neither Fayette County nor the home operator sent representatives to a Thursday hearing. The request was denied without prejudice, so the county or Adelphoi Village, the non-profit organization that would run the shelter, may reapply for the exception at any time.

“We have a problem. You’re not allowed to be the applicant,” board solicitor Gary Altman said to Janine Russell of Michael S. Molnar Associates, the architectural firm acting as the county’s agent.

Altman said the firm does not have an ownership or leaseholder interest in the matter.

He said he told the Fayette County commissioners’ office that their attorney, an attorney from Adelphoi Village or principals from either entity are required to appear before the board to request the exception.

Molnar filed the application for the exception

After the meeting, Altman noted that the city’s old zoning ordinance would have required the county or Adelphoi to wait a year before reapplying. The new ordinance that was enacted earlier this year eliminated that waiting period.

About 18 residents attended the hearing to learn more about the proposed shelter.

The commissioners approved a 10-year lease last week with Latrobe-based Adelphoi to operate a group home for up to 16 youths on the second floor of the Federal Building, located on West Peter Street.

A special exception is needed because the building is in Uniontown’s central business district and a group home is a residential facility, according to the zoning ordinance. A group home is not a permitted use in the central business district, according to the ordinance.

The commissioners said Adelphoi agreed to contribute $100,000 toward renovating the second floor and pledged an additional $100,000 for the work. The agreed-upon rent is $25,300 per year.

In an interview last week, Adelphoi CEO Larry Breitenstein said there is enough space for bedrooms, bathrooms, classroom and recreation space for 12 youths.

He said non-violent truant, abused or neglected minors would stay in the secured, but not locked shelter for up to 30 days while courts determine where to place them.

State law prohibits Adelphoi from locking entrance and exit doors of group homes because they don’t house criminals, Breitenstein said.

He said child-care workers would be stationed near the doors to prevent the juveniles from leaving, and electronic monitors also would be used.

Youths convicted of crimes, known as delinquents, serve their sentences in juvenile detention centers, he said.

Five or six employees, including child-care workers, counselors and supervisors, would staff the home. Education would be provided during the school year, Breitenstein said.

At Thursday’s hearing, city Councilman Blair Jones Sr., who was seated in the audience, said, “How can you go any further?”

After a brief executive session, board member Peter Hook made the motion to deny the special exception request without prejudice. He said a person with the proper authority did not present the request.

“We denied this request. They can reapply,” board Chairman Richard Lee said. “We’ll hear it again.”

Hook said if another application for the exception is filed, somebody with the proper authority must show up for the hearing.

“If they do not, I’m making the same motion,” Hook said.

Altman said the county or Adelphoi will have to pay for advertising the next hearing, the stenographer and the application fee.