Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-18 OPH Ltr to Paul Liedel Re Serenity Crossings S . �. City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N • Box 2007 • Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 • Phone (651) 439 -4439 • Fax (651) 439 -0574 July 18 2005 Mr. Paul Liedl 5860 Oxboro Ave. N. Stillwater, MN 55082 RE: Letter of July 6 2005 Dear Mr. Liedl, I have had an opportunity to review your letter with the City's planner and City Attorney's office. Generally speaking the City does not have a specific code that would unilaterally address your concerns. Specifically, Serenity Crossings is not operating a business at the addresses in question, rather they are the owners/operators of a facility that supplies living opportunities to recovering alcoholics or similar persons in need of assistance. The use of the property by those residents (which is the important factor)is indeed "residential" as those residents, regardless of ownership or the terms of a rental agreement are only living there. There are no other ancillary or accessory uses currently operating at the site that I am aware of. However, should one of these units become an office or purely a meeting space, then a zoning violation may have occurred. Beyond this threshold, the City cannot regulate transient housing other than to the extent of a hotel/motel — commercial operation. Lastly, should these facilities pose a real nuisance to your enjoyment of your property, (continual noise, odor, smoke, dilapidated housing, etc), then the City may have additional recourse. Should your association have a concern on the continued sale of properties and expansion of Serenity Crossing's ownership then it is something that your group must address as this would be a private matter between two land- owning parties. Please let me kn ' if you have any further questions. : rely Eric Jo •u n City . • i trator . Mark Vierling, City Attorney Scott Richards, NAC Weekly Notes L.-- o . R -i (0) -' 5860 Odboro AN entic North Oak Park Heights, NIN 55082 July 6, 2005 Eric Johnson City Administrator City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd N. Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Dear Mr. Johnson: Pursuant to our earlier conversation, I have some concerns over the transitional housing being rented in our neighborhood and the very possible expansion of that business. Currently three townhomes are being leased by Comforts of Home from Ficek Investments. Comforts of Home is running a business call Serenity Crossings. Attached are some pages of their web site (http:/ /www.serenitycrossings.com). Serenity Crossings has leased another home in our PUD development for housing the resident manager and two additional clients. I believe they are also negotiating the lease of an fifth home for four more transitional rentals. These two homes are owned by Woldt Investments (David Woldt) of White Bear Lake. Of real concern to the residents of East Oaks is the possible expansion of Serenity Crossing's business to include 10 of out townhomes. There are currently ten homes which are investment properties and have four bedrooms each. Even if a business such as this legal in an area zoned single family residential, is there anything that can be done to limit the number of these units per development, block, etc. It seems extremely unfair that residents in single family areas could possibly end up in the surrounded by transient housing. Thank you very much for your efforts in this matter. mcerely ours, , -��& 1?aul A. Liedl ,"serenity l;rossmgs: wooer nousmg for people in recovery rage 1 of 1 � m : I , s g �1lr w +nh Serenity Crossings' sober housing program offers a „ About us supportive and safe environment for people In recovery to live while they secure a new job, new housing, and begin their new, sober life. ;a` How to become a resident Our three townhouses in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, offer private rooms in a residential setting for those over Photo tour 18 who are sober and drug free and committed to the pursuit of sobriety. Our location is convenient to both Minneapolis and St. Paul Resident resources Whether you are going through treatment or have - Our location completed your recovery program, Serenity Crossings offers a structured, supervised environment and participation In the 12 -step program. 0- Contact us Please take a few moments to learn more about us. ftO`n'E Sa - --2 1 ltg. .s eol_ ' z i 5873, 5881, and 5883 Oxboro Avenue North Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Ilio III -7 a '.. `""" `o Direct: 612 -845 -3336 c' ere • y FaxNoice: 651 - 439 -7793 a »& £ih)Vi rossings Business Office: 651 - 407 -8004 etc, o I rLf Email: mark@serenitycrossings.com © Copyright 2005 • Serenity Crossings • Design by St for Associa -333) ' e A r . M kt r i- iktv-- fox- 01 CA -CA oc, 3 _ 6, evurvois].. http : / /www.serenitycrossings.com/ 7/6/2005 , Seremty Urossmgs: About us rage 1 or z _, n r ` r /1,),/,'Y (,G.F ji) ,, K` . i i tC i ® tti y�� °il,` rW „, ,, ` ..),.........4..„.....0.,,..,.„ ,,,..,.., .„.,...„,, . About us 1 How to become a resident I Photos 1 Location 1 Resident resources I Contact I I About us Serenity Crossings offers a supportive and supervised environment for sober living in three, four - bedroom townhouses In a residential area of Oak Park, Minnesota, a suburb east of St. Paul. Residents are provided: • Single private room with bed, dresser and night stand • Full use of residential kitchen, living room and dining room • Free laundry facilities • Cable TV in main living room • Workout/Exercise Room • One set of linens - sheets, pillowcase, and blanket, as well as bath, hand and wash towels. • House dinners every Sunday night • Activities and availability to community events • Access to private phone use • Basic hygiene needs (toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, kitchen utensils, etc.) • Basic housekeeping supplies Please call 612 -845 -3336 or 651 - 407 -8004, or email Mark for space availability and pricing. An Open House is held every Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. Employment, Education and Volunteer Opportunities Serenity Crossings believes it is important to contribute to the boarder community and asks that residents be employed, volunteer time to the community or attend school during their stay. A list of resources is available to help in finding employment and for volunteer and educational opportunities. An application form for volunteering is available from the House Manager. AA Meetings Because Serenity Crossings believes that the joumey to recovery is best done in a supportive community, residents are required to attend home meetings and community meals, attend one of two weekly Big Book meetings as well as local AA meetings. Please click here for a listing of AA meetings in the area. For more information More information on Serenity Crossings can be found in "The C_! de to Lis =inc at Serenity http:// www. serenitycrossings .com/program.htm 7/6/2005 "Serenity crossings: contact us rage 1 of . ' . d v �' { �`r ' .b' �"� pa"yg � "`t i n y , y ','Ii:_, r .f ; 1i "76:61 i ./V; yy � 1' I <1i ' 1' , - 1#" 'e O `4 ; 4 �,. ': E. „. _ , ,- 4 ; faa:rA ... 40.x, . , x About us I How to become a resident I Photos 1 Resident resources 1 Location I Contact I He • Contact us For more Information, to schedule a tour of our homes, or to receive a resident's packet, please call: Mark 612 - 845 -3336 651 - 439 -7793 Email: Mark(aserenitvcrossinas.com Barb 651 - 407 -8004 Email: Barbserenitvcrossinos.com lidick ere "y rossings For more information on Serenity Crossings projects and investment opportunities, please contact: Brian Winges Community Living Partnerships LLC 11 1 • 2340 East County Road) Community �j C White Bear Township, MN, 55110 ' Living Phone: 651- 407 -7009 Part ! - ips 4 Email: bwinoes :visLcom For information on Comforts of Home, please see our Web site at titi{WW.co }3 iso`h menin.com http:// www. serenitycrossings .com/contact.htm 7/6/2005 • -_ �► ere • ' ,y A Guide to Living at Serenity Crossings rossmgs Welcome to Serenity Crossings! We look forward to your joining our community at Serenity Crossings. We simply ask that you follow the rules we have set forth, continue working on your recovery program, and, above all else, fulfill our requirements that you stay sober and willing to commit your life to the pursuit of your sobriety. Serenity Crossings believes that our community should represent those who live here and contribute to the broader community of Oak Park Heights and Stillwater. Serenity Crossings asks that all our members be employed, volunteering time to the community, or attending school during their stay with us. Serenity Crossings has developed a list of resources for your use in finding employment and volunteer opportunities, as well as activities nearby to help enrich your life and those of your fellow community members. Serenity Crossings asks that you and your fellow community members fulfill the following expectations: • Attend a home meeting every Wednesday night in which you will discuss home and com- munity matters, as well as share your progress in your recovery programs. Any concerns that community members have can be discussed at this time. • Join in on group meditation and interaction time. A brief meditation meeting will be available every morning for those wishing to start their day with an inspirational message. • Attend a larger community meeting (all of the Serenity Crossings homes) every Sunday night which will be held in one of the homes so that all of the community members have an opportunity to get together and share their triumphs and concerns. A large community meal will be provided. • Attend one of two weekly "Big Book" meetings held at the homes each week. • Attend several local AA meetings to assist in fulfilling your recovery program. Serenity Crossings respects the duration of a members stay with us, and thus room assignments will be based on availability and a member's seniority in the home. Seniority will also dictate the assignment of home upkeep contributions. Senior community members will help coordinate the home activities with the assistance and support of other community members. We also ask that each senior member of the Serenity Crossings community tell his or her story on every first Wednesday meeting of each month. Serenity Crossings provides deaning tools and products and asks that residents take pride in their community and help keep the homes dean. God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Serenity Crossings 5873, 5881, 5883 Oxboro Avenue North, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 -6151