Neighborhood meeting set to address concerns over Thalia House

Thalia House co-founder Brooke Wesley told PVPost.com Wednesday that she and her staff would be hosting an informational meeting next Thursday, March 3 at 6 p.m. to address the concerns raised by some neighborhood residents about their new group home for women recovering from eating disorders. The meeting will take place at Thalia House Fairway City Hall.

Brooke Wesley of Thalia House

“We aim to address everyone’s concerns, and let them know more about who we are and what we do,” Wesley said.

Wesley said she wanted to clear up any potential misunderstanding about how the facility would operate.

“This is not a resident-run facility, like you see with some substance abuse recovery programs,” Wesley said. “We have professional staff living on site and managing things.”

Responding to emails he received with concerns about the opening of Thalia House, Fairway city councilman Jim Poplinger sent a message Wednesday to several residents. Many wondered why they had not been notified that such a facility would be opening in their neighborhood:

As to why the City did not notify the citizens that a group home was planned at 5301 Norwood, the fact is that the City had not been notified of such plans. A general inquiry regarding requirements for the operation of a group home in Fairway was received and responded to several months ago but no specific plan or address was disclosed. Prior to the commencement of the operation of a group home the operator is required to file the State issued group home license with the City and to register the property as a non-owner occupied dwelling. This has not yet been done.

Wesley said she would provide an update on the status of her organization’s application with the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services at the meeting next week.

Read Poplinger’s full email after the jump.

I have received e-mail from each of you regarding the property at 5301 Norwood. You are concerned about the news that, in spite of it being located in a single family residential neighborhood, this property is to be used as a group home for women who are recovering from eating disorders. While I understand your concerns, there is nothing that the City of Fairway can do to prevent this use. The subject is preempted by the State of Kansas as evidenced by the attached copy of the applicable State Statute.

As you can see from the attached, it is the policy of the State of Kansas that persons with a disability may not be excluded from the benefits of single family residential surroundings by any municipal zoning ordinance, resolution or regulation. Pursuant to this policy, the City of Fairway is denied the ability to prohibit the location of a group home in any zone or area where single family dwellings are allowed. Additionally, no other person, including a home owners’ association may by contract, covenant, equitable servitude or other similar restriction prohibit the location of a group home in an area where single family residences are allowed.

At this time, it is the understanding of the City that the licensing of the proposed group home by the Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services is in process.  Until that license is granted, no group home may be established and the property remains subject to the City restrictions. That is, the residence may not be occupied by more than three unrelated persons. The City has received assurances that the operators of the proposed group home will comply with these restrictions prior to the issuance of the State group home license; however, if and when a group home license is issued, the State prohibition will go into effect and the City restrictions will no longer apply.

As to why the City did not notify the citizens that a group home was planned at 5301 Norwood, the fact is that the City had not been notified of such plans. A general inquiry regarding requirements for the operation of a group home in Fairway was received and responded to several months ago but no specific plan or address was disclosed.  Prior to the commencement of the operation of a group home the operator is required to file the State issued group home license with the City and to register the property as a non-owner occupied dwelling. This has not yet been done.

It is my understanding that the operators of the proposed group home plan to hold a neighborhood meeting to present the details of their program. Hopefully, this will give you an opportunity to obtain answers to your questions and to present your concerns to the operators. At this time, there is every reason to believe that the operators will make a concerted effort to be a good neighbor.