Board Discusses Group Homes and Possible Notification Letters

Alderman Cheryl Kross commented during alderman reports at last week's Wentzville Board of Aldermen meeting that she was working on a new group home ordinance with Community Development Director Doug Forbeck.

City Administrator Mike McDowell said that the current Wentzville ordinance might be "problematical"  because the ordinance says that group homes be limited to nonprofit or charitable organizations, but on the federal level, he said, "that wouldn't pass muster."

Kross also mentioned that she had been "blasted" by some residents of her ward who were upset when a new group home was established in their neighborhood.

Mayor Nick Guccione said that he had also been contacted by residents who were upset about the home.

Kross asked about the possibility of the city sending out "courtesy letters" to the owners of adjacent properties when an occupancy permit is issued for a group home.

McDowell that the city could send out letters, but that the letter would have to be very carefully worded, because "you would not want to imply to those residents that their protest would have any effect."

McDowell said that state law requires that group homes be treated by municipalities in the same way that they treat private residences. The communication would have to be "just a communication," he said. "You can do the notification."

Kross said that a letter could not only notify, but also explain the state law and the federal fair housing act. 

Alderman Rick Stokes said "If we're going to start communicating 'who's moving into your neighborhood,' where does it . . . do we want to start that?"

"It's against the law," he said.

"It's courtesy," Kross said.

The board decided that a discussion was in order at a future meeting, and asked the city attorney to research the Fair Housing Act and state law.

Kross said that she didn't want to violate any law. "If it's something that is in violation of the law or any appearance of it, I certainly don't want that," she said.

Alderman Sonya Shryock said if the ordinance was changed that the city needed to make sure residents were informed. "I'm a big fan of education," she said.