Youth shelter owner proposes facility for city
The owner of a youth shelter in Donegal proposed opening a shelter in Uniontown on Wednesday, but was told several steps must be taken to make the needed changes in zoning. John Bukovac of Alternative Living Solutions told Uniontown City Council he wants to convert 144 and 148 E. Main St. into a secure shelter for troubled youth typically between 12 and 18 years old.
The lots contain a vacant building that used to be Uniontown Builders Supply Co.
Gordon Amber of Sam Simon Realty Inc. in Uniontown said Bukovac has made an offer to buy the property.
Bukovac said the property is currently in the central business district zone (C-2) and asked council to extend the local business district zone (C-1) to encompass the property. He said a special exception is needed to operate the shelter in a C-1 zone.
The city’s zoning ordinance allows group homes, shelters and transitional housing in a C-1 zone with a special exception. None of those facilities are permitted in a C-2 zone
Myron Nypaver, the city’s code enforcement officer and fire chief, said the zoning map, which contains the boundaries of the different zoning districts, would have to be changed before Bukovac may apply for a special exception.
In order to change the map, City Council must first conduct a public hearing and then vote in favor of making the change, Nypaver said.
If the council members agree to change the map, the city’s zoning hearing board would have to grant a special exception for the shelter, he explained.
After Bukovac was told about all the red tape involved with the proposal, it was not known if he intends to pursue the matter further.
Bukovac said the shelter would operate a “behavioral triage program” aimed at correcting problem behavior and provide job and skills training.
It would be staffed 24 hours a day, employ 23 to 30 people and house males and females, he said.
Bukovac said he worked for Adelphoi Village for 30 years.
Adelphoi unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a special exception to open a shelter in the Federal Building, located in the C-2 zone, on Peter Street in 2002.