After three hearings and a failed challenge to the zoning ordinance, it appears that some Hereford Township residents are going to have new neighbors.

            The Hereford Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the Habitats for Hope LLC for a combined variance/conditional use application for transitional housing at the former Landhaven Bed & Breakfast at 1194 Huffs Church Road in the township.

            Township solicitor Eugene Orlando opened the hearing and asked the applicant's attorney, Allen R. Shollenberger, to call his witness, Samul A. Albert Jr., executive director of Habitats of Hope.  Albert is also a certified recovery specialist. No licensing is required for this occupation.

            Shollenberger proceeded to ask Albert many of the questions from previous hearings. He established that the company is currently in a lease agreement with the previous owners of the property with the agreement of sale pending. The facility will serve as after-treatment for licensed treatment facilities, to educate the residents' families, and make them "productive members of society." The facility itself is not licensed under state law. There will be staff onsite around the clock.

            Albert stated that there would be five residents and they would be female. Five unrelated persons living in transitional housing is the maximum allowed under the township's zoning ordinance. Shollenberger asked if the individuals lived as a family, and Albert replied yes. He further stated that there would be no residents with criminal background and that the facility is not in lieu of incarceration. Furthermore, a curfew will be enforced.

            Albert said that all medications will be kept under lock and key and that the staff members cannot administer medications but can only "observe" a resident taking them.

            Shollenberger presented an architect's plan for the facility which included 21 parking spaces. Albert said that the residents could earn vehicle privileges over time, but that the staff at the facility would retain their keys.

            Albert also stated that Christman's Septic Service had inspected the septic system and had found it to be "functioning correctly."

There will not be any onsite security personnel.

            Following questioning by several neighbors as parties to the hearing and redirects to Shollenberger, the supervisors adjourned to executive session at 8:55 pm.

            Upon the supervisors' return, solicitor Orlando outlined what conditions would apply to the applicant, including adherence to the five occupant regulation; the submission of site plans that show the whole facility and parking lot; the applicant's compliance with all sewage planning; compliance with building code requirements; compliance with the females only condition; compliance with background checks and 24-hour supervision; compliance with any current or future state licensing; and operations consistent to their testimony.

            The supervisors voted with John Membrino and Keith Masemore voting yes to grant conditional use, and Karla Dexter voting no. Orlando said that the board will issue a written decision and all parties will have the opportunity to appeal the decision.

            Last year, Habitats of Hope, LLC original filed for a variance application to permit the removal of the regulation in the ordinance that permits only five unrelated persons living in transitional housing in the township.  They were asking for 16 residents to be permitted, and requested a variance regarding the definition of transitional housing in the existing ordinance that limited it to only five residents because it violated federal laws and that residents would be considered disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  In addition, they stated that with only five residents permitted it would not be economically feasible.