The Jefferson County Council appears ready to deny plans to convert a long-vacant motel and restaurant north of Hillsboro into a transitional housing center for homeless people.
The council voted 4-2 on Monday to place a resolution on its Aug. 28 agenda to deny a conditional-use permit that would allow the New Hope Outreach Center, described as a religious sanctuary and rehabilitation center, on the site of the former Opal’s Motel and Restaurant at 9637 Old Hwy. 21.
On July 24, the council had voted 3-2 against advancing an ordinance to allow the conditional-use permit. Monday’s vote was to determine how to proceed with the request.
About 125 people packed the Jefferson County Administration Center in Hillsboro, and before the vote was taken, 47 of them told the County Council they supported New Hope’s plans, while 26 said they opposed the center.
The council later took its vote to place the resolution to deny on the next agenda without comment.
Council members Gene Barbagallo (District 2, Imperial), Shannon Otto (District 3, Arnold), Charles Groeteke (District 4, Barnhart) and Bob Tullock (District 7, House Springs) voted to place the resolution to deny on the agenda; Scott Seek (District 5, Festus) and Dan Stallman (District 6, De Soto) cast dissenting votes. Brian Haskins (District 1, High Ridge) was absent.
The Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission, which advises the County Council on land-use issues in unincorporated areas, voted 6-2 on July 13 to recommend approval of the permit.
The permit would allow up to 20 homeless people to be housed at the center, although New Hope officials said that reaching that capacity would be a long-range possibility, dependent on donations collected to renovate or replace buildings on the site.
At first, only four people would be housed in one of the former motel buildings, with another four to eight once it is rehabbed. The restaurant would be rehabbed as a religious sanctuary and office space.
Those accepted into the facility would live there six months, during which they would receive vocational training. Follow-up services would continue for a year after they leave the facility, New Hope officials said.
Other health and wellness services would be provided by Compass Health (formerly Comtrea), the Jefferson County Health Department, the Jefferson-Franklin Community Action Corporation and Mercy Hospital Jefferson, New Hope officials said.
At earlier meetings, Tullock said he had concerns that New Hope would not have a staff member on site around the clock until 10 people were housed there.
Last year, New Hope had proposed a larger-scale homeless facility on 28.19 acres owned by the Jefferson Baptist Association on Baptist Park Road in the Mapaville area.
That request was denied in November by the County Council.