By Andrew Knittle
The Norman Transcript
Norman — The City of Norman Planning Commission approved a local charitable organization’s request for a zoning change that could allow for a different kind of development in east Norman.
Mission Norman, a food pantry and ministry since 1998, is planning to build a 155-seat church on about six acres at Lindsey Street and 24th Avenue SE, which is no big deal. There are churches to the location’s north and south.
The issue that had commissioners concerned Thursday evening in City Council chambers was the transitional housing units Mission Norman plans to build on the grounds. According to design plans submitted to the commission, the property would include two- and three-bedroom fourplexes with enough space for 20 families who don’t have a place to live.
Staff on hand said there isn’t anything like it in Norman, as far as zoning is concerned.
Commissioners seemed particularly interested in the day-to-day operations and whether the organization would be prepared to deal with families in transition while still serving as a food pantry and church.
Mission Norman spokesman Gene Barnes, who spoke of the great need that exists in Norman, said that his group works with other charitable organizations and assured the commission its staff would be trained through internships at places like East Main Place and Food and Shelter for Friends.
Barnes produced a tenant handbook and detailed application. He also promised to have a competent staff in place before families moved in.
Things like foul language, smoking, drugs, drinking alcohol, viewing pornography and fighting would be grounds for eviction for the mission’s residents, who would sign a lease and live in the residences for up to two years.
Commission Chairman Zev Trachtenberg questioned whether Mission Norman, which is for families only, would be ready to address the issues typically associated with families in crisis. He indicated that many of the things prohibited by the mission are often the very demons that lead the families to homelessness.
“Those are serious problems,” Trachtenberg said.
Barnes said those living in the residences would be subject to an initial drug test and random follow-ups during their stay at the mission. The facilities also will be gated and all visitors will have to be on a list at least 48 hours in advance.
Homes also must be kept “clean,” Barnes said, with random checks for cleanliness performed by administrators.
Barnes, who believes the need will only grow with time, said the goal of the mission is to get people back on their feet and turn them back into “taxpayers,” adding that extensive job-seeking training will be part of the program at Mission Norman.
“We’ve got to do something,” Barnes said. “And we needed it done yesterday.”
The next stop for Mission Norman’s request is the City Council, which will hear the request at an upcoming meeting.
Andrew Knittle 366-3540 aknittle@normantranscript.com
