Miami Twp. zoning board OKs proposed group home for teens

UPDATE @ 8:01 p.m. (Aug. 6): A proposal for a group home for teens has been approved by Miami Twp.

The township’s board of zoning appeals Monday night voted to grant a request for Safe Ward Inc. to open a facility on Eckley Boulevard, despite opposition from neighborhood residents.

The BZA granted a conditional use for the facility, allowing it to operate a home for males 12 to 17.

The BZA’s decision can be appealed to Montgomery County court.

EARLIER REPORT

A plan to have a group home for youths in a Miami Twp. neighborhood is set to go before a zoning board tonight.

An exception to locate a community oriented residential social service facility on Eckley Boulevard is scheduled to be reviewed by the township’s board of zoning appeals.

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The BZA has said it is looking into whether the site of the proposed facility to house up to six males, ages 12 to 17, fits within township guidelines to be granted a conditional use.

Among those guidelines for the proposal by Safe Ward Inc. is that “no other community oriented residential social service facility is issued a conditional use certificate within 1,500 feet of the property” at 2600 Eckley.

BZA members said last month they held off on a decision about the Eckley site to allow time to verify its location in relation to other possible similar sites.

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Choices in Community Living owns the property at 2201 Brahms Blvd., about two blocks east of the Eckley house, Montgomery County records show.

That organization’s website indicates the house is a “supervised group home living for up to four individuals’ in personalized living spaces,” a resident told board members last month.

Safe Ward’s request attracted about 40 residents at the BZA last month. Safe Ward co-operator Rachica Ward said the non-profit corporation started in 2016 is required to have a residential home for the facility before receiving its Ohio license.

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