[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:02] All right, good afternoon. Good evening. I guess it's not really afternoon anymore.
[0:08] All right, we will get started. All right, this is a hearing before the Aberdeen Board of Appeals on case number 819, shepherds of care LLC are requesting a special exception to operate an assisted living facility at 435 Edmund Street in Aberdeen in an R2 medium density residential district.
[0:26] The Board of Appeals has scheduled a public hearing by providing notice and at least one
[0:31] newspaper of general circulation at least seven days prior to the proceeding and by providing
[0:35] notice to the adjoining property owners.
[0:37] Are there any objections to the posting of the public hearing notice?
[0:42] All right.
[0:42] Hearing none under the rules of procedure the applicant in presenting their case has the burden
[0:46] of proof.
[0:47] After the applicant has presented their case, then the board members may offer questions and
[0:51] then any opponents may present their case.
[0:52] The Department of Planning and Community Development will present their report and finally the applicant may present any rebuttal.
[0:59] A court reporter is present at this hearing and all testimony should be presented under oath.
[1:04] The Board of Appeals will issue a written decision or determination on any application within 30 days following the clues of the record.
[1:11] Who will be presenting this case?
[1:14] All right, come on up.
[1:16] Hello, how are you to see you?
[1:18] All right, we're going to have you sworn in and don't you find the court board is going to swear you in before we get started.
[1:24] Oh, sorry. Oh, my goodness. Sorry, court reporter. They switched on me.
[1:40] All right, come on.
[1:41] Perfect.
[1:45] All right, go ahead and tell us.
[1:47] Thank you for taking the time and out of your busy day to sit and meet with us this evening.
[1:52] I have compiled some information here that I would like to read to you all.
[1:59] On behalf of Sheppards of Care, thank you for the opportunity to share our mission in
[2:03] our how-like the positive impact we are making within our agency and your community.
[2:08] By acquiring the property at 435 Edmistory, we have successfully and comfortably accommodated
[2:13] household members in strict compliance with the state law 107-14234.
[2:19] Beyond providing essential care, our presence has actively uplifted, beautified and revitalized
[2:27] the surrounding neighborhood, neighborhood revitalizing and aesthetic value.
[2:33] Since establishing our facility, we have prioritized, elevating the aesthetic appeal,
[2:40] cleanliness, safety of local areas.
[2:44] Property beautification, we maintain a beautifully manicured lawn, adorned with fresh flowers
[2:52] ensuring the property projects a clean polish and welcoming appearance, community inspirations.
[2:59] Our commitment to provide maintain our commitment to property maintenance has served as a positive
[3:05] example, inspiring adjacent neighbors to follow our lead and upgrade the upkeep of their own properties.
[3:12] Compassionate Community Outreach. Prior to our arrival, the property and nearby city of God area face ongoing challenges stemming from unhoused encampment. Through brief communication and respectful dialogue,
[3:31] efforts of care successfully provided these individuals with vital resources and shelter
[3:37] information helping them end their family secure a safe alternative housing.
[3:43] The power of community integrated house settings. Operating an assistant living in independent
[3:50] facility directly within a residential neighborhood gives seniors a true sense of home.
[3:57] completely free from a rigid atmosphere of an institutional facility.
[4:03] This, the family-like environment allows our residents to retain their personal independence,
[4:10] easily stay connected with family and friends and maintain a safe and high quality of life.
[4:17] Our facility has brought sheer joy to the neighborhood.
[4:20] Our residents thrive on the vibrant energy of the community listening to the local children,
[4:25] playing, laughing while neighbors and families frequently visit to fellowship with our seniors.
[4:31] We firmly believe that Sheppards of Care has already proven to be a valuable asset to this
[4:35] neighborhood.
[4:37] We are deeply committed to continuing this positive legacy moving forward.
[4:41] Thank you sincerely.
[4:43] Do you have any questions for me?
[4:46] All right, did anybody on the board have any questions?
[4:52] I did actually had just a couple of questions.
[4:54] And how many there's four residents that correct and how many of them.
[5:01] Care givers, do you guys have it? We have four. Do they do shifts? Is it like a 24 hour? Yes, me, okay. So I'm there Monday through Friday and then staff comes in on the weekends.
[5:15] And then if I need to, like, say, run an air in or anything of that nature to conduct some other businesses, because I do do a resource business. I also work with
[5:27] I don't protect services.
[5:30] I work with a dot protective services out of Baltimore, you know, to help them, you know, place their residences well.
[5:37] All right.
[5:38] Anybody?
[5:39] All right.
[5:40] Phil, if you want to go ahead and give us your report.
[5:41] Sure.
[5:42] Would you like for me to read all of this?
[5:44] It is long.
[5:46] I mean, you don't need to, because we all have the materials.
[5:49] Yes.
[5:50] Yes.
[5:50] So if you want to skip the long.
[5:52] I will do that.
[5:54] I will do that.
[5:54] I will do that.
[5:54] with that. Okay. In the interest of time. Thank you. The applicants request a special
[5:59] exception to operate and assist the living facility at 435 Edmund Street. The property
[6:04] is located within the R2 medium density residential zoning district and is currently
[6:09] improved with the one-story single-family dwelling. The residence contains 1,280 square feet
[6:15] of living area including three bedrooms and two full bathrooms and is situated on a 15,115 square
[6:22] foot lot. And considering this request, the Board of Appeals shall review the requirements set
[6:28] forth in Chapter 235 development code regarding special exceptions and determine whether the applicant
[6:35] has provided sufficient information to satisfy the applicable standards and requirements of that
[6:40] section. A special exception may be granted when the board finds that the evidence of record for the
[6:52] uses in the zoning district and that the Board of Appeals application complies with all procedural
[6:58] requirements of fourth in the section that it complies with all the standards and requirements
[7:04] specifically set forth for such use as may be contained in the section and in the zoning
[7:09] district where it's to be located. It will not be detrimental to the use, the peaceful
[7:16] enjoyment or development of the surrounding properties or just the general neighborhood and
[7:21] will cause now objectionable noise, vibrations, odors, dust, glare, or physical activity.
[7:28] And it will also be in harmony with the general character of the neighborhood, considering
[7:32] the scale of that neighborhood as well.
[7:36] It will be consistent with our comprehensive plan.
[7:39] It will not adversely affect the health safety, security, or general welfare of residents or
[7:44] visitors will be served by adequate facilities, will consider any environmental impact, and that
[7:53] the applicant has demonstrated need for the requested use.
[7:58] Then there are further guidelines for special exception for implementation, as well as under
[8:04] the development code, their specific requirements for assisted living facilities in the R2 district.
[8:10] So these are in addition to and you should be considering these special exception requirements.
[8:17] The Planning Commission in the City Council approved these amendments to the Development Code to allow
[8:22] assisted living facilities in certain zoning districts, R2 and R3.
[8:28] So these of course are the ones for the R2.
[8:30] The minimum parcel size is 7200 square feet and this lot has over 15,000 square feet.
[8:36] The assisted living facility is showing be conducted in a single-family detached dwelling, and I think she has provided us with a floor plan, showing that layout and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
[8:51] The density shall not exceed five beds per parcel, and you have four beds per parcel.
[8:56] And the improvements, again, are considered architectural and character of the surrounding neighborhood, and will be a harmonious to the neighborhood.
[9:03] And that the operator should comply with all state laws.
[9:07] And then we will need a copy of those licensing documents as well.
[9:15] Thank you.
[9:15] All right.
[9:16] Does that raise any questions for anybody?
[9:19] All right.
[9:20] Is there anybody else present who would like to give a statement?
[9:23] Okay.
[9:24] Yeah, absolutely.
[9:25] All right.
[9:26] Give us your name and then we'll get you sworn in as well.
[9:28] Robert McCorder.
[9:30] MCAR-TOR.
[9:46] All right.
[9:46] Go ahead.
[9:46] Okay, good evening chair members of the board.
[9:50] My name is Robert MacArthur, and I'm on the corner corner, along with my son of the property of 435 Edmund Street.
[9:57] Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to just.
[10:00] I just want to let you know I have a stand and support of the proposals to live in use of this
[10:04] home. And I want to explain what that means to me as an owner and as someone who cares about
[10:09] this property and certainly the community around it. One of the things that stands out to me is
[10:14] how much our community is aging. According to the 2024 American Community Survey, hovercounty had
[10:20] approximately 48,867 residents aged 65 and older, including more than 4,600 residents aged 85 and
[10:28] Here at Aberdeen, approximately one out of every six residents is already age 65 and older.
[10:35] And those numbers not mean that every older resident needs a sister living, but they
[10:40] do remind us that as our neighbors and family members age communities need a variety of housing
[10:45] and care options. Maryland describes a sister living as a way for people who can no longer live
[10:50] completely independently to receive help with everyday needs while remaining in a home-like
[10:55] community setting. And with an emphasis on dignity and independence, and that is an important
[11:00] distinction to me. The vision for this property is not for it to feel institutional. It
[11:06] is for it to continue to feel like a home. A place where a small number of people can live
[11:11] safely, comfortably, and with dignity. I also understand that only this property carries
[11:16] responsibility to the surrounding neighborhood. The cities are to assist in living regulations
[11:21] and limit this type of use to a single-family detached home with no more than five beds
[11:25] and required to remain harmonious with the character of the neighborhood.
[11:30] And as an owner, I believe it is important that the property continued to be well maintained
[11:34] that parkinging visitors be responsibly managed, that the residential character of the
[11:39] property be preserved, and that all applicable city fire safety and Maryland-assisted living
[11:44] requirements be followed.
[11:46] I also respect that neighbors may have legitimate questions about parking, staffing, emergency
[11:50] access, norways safety or how the home will be operated day-to-day.
[11:55] And those are reasonable questions, and these are specific answers.
[11:58] A residential system living home has responsibilities not only to the people who live inside
[12:03] it, but also to the people who live next door throughout the neighborhood.
[12:07] And for me personally, this proposal represents an opportunity to provide a home-like environment
[12:13] for older adults who may need some assistance, but who still deserve privacy, dignity,
[12:20] companionship and a connection to their community.
[12:23] Thank you for allowing me to share my perspective as an owner.
[12:25] I'm happy to answer any questions for the board.
[12:28] If you have any about the property and our commitment to maintain it,
[12:31] as a responsible part of the Aberdeen community.
[12:34] Thank you. Any questions from anybody?
[12:38] No. All right. Thank you so much.
[12:42] We're not as scary as we look at our promise.
[12:46] Is there anybody else?
[12:48] Okay. Just moral support, emotional support, friends. Okay, I understand. All right. Okay. Again, this is the hearing case number eight one nine
[12:58] Shepherds of Care LLC. They requested a special exception to operate an assisted living facility up 435
[13:05] Edmund Street Aberdeen in an R2 medium density residential district. All right. Do I have a motion?
[13:14] All right. Have a motion a second. All in favor?
[13:19] All right, very good. All right, you will get a written opinion within a couple weeks from us and then just keep in contact with Ms. Villaspa, everything else you need to do. All right, thank you so much.
[13:34] All right, you guys have a good evening.